Experience Québec
Observation
The mysterious world of whales
For so long they’ve been strange, massive creatures breaching the ocean’s surface to eject powerful spouts of water. Cetaceans, or whales, still inspire awe and admiration. A whale-watching cruise in the St. Lawrence Estuary is a fascinating excursion that gives us a privileged peek into their world.
Whales still have a mythical quality about them, but they are real... even surreal! If you want proof, just visit their summer campground in the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf. It’s a highly original excursion that will make you see the river in a whole new light.Abundant food supply
Few people really know the migratory habits of these ocean giants, and it’s a spectacular story. Starting in April, the whales travel into the Gulf, off the shores of the Duplessis region to the north or the Gaspé Peninsula to the south. Then they swim back up the river, between Bas-Saint-Laurent and Manicouagan, ending their trek in early July at the mouth of the Saguenay. In the fall, most of them follow the reverse route and travel back to the Atlantic. Some whales will have covered up to 5,000 kilometres to reach the warm waters of the Caribbean, where they will spend the winter and mate.
What brings them back here so faithfully, year after year? The fine food of Quebec, of course! They find a more abundant food source near the poles than in the tropics; it is concentrated because of the currents of the St. Lawrence. Plankton, crustaceans (krill), and fish (capelin, herring) make up the bulk of their diet. The massive blue whale -- the largest cetacean in the world (25 metres long, weighing over 100 tons) -- can ingest between two and four tons of krill each day!Singular personalities
The St. Lawrence is a summer home to 13 species of cetaceans, including the great blue rorqual, minke whales and a recently sighted right whale, not to mention a humpback whale that is known as Tic Tac Toe. The latter leaps from the water, slaps the waves with its long fins, and arches its tail with each dive. And it sings such a song! Lastly, there is also the fin whale, a 50-ton monolith that can swim at speeds of up to 40 km/hr. The whales have names because they can be recognized by different markings, scars or other features, such as one large female who has a horse-shaped mark on her back. Why wait to get to know these fascinating creatures better? An excursion on the St. Lawrence is an exceptional experience for adventurous souls.| What a show! |
 Several sites along the St. Lawrence are known to be excellent whale-watching spots. In some places, the whales can come as close as a few dozen metres from the shoreline. Don’t miss a chance to visit these land-based observation points.
Getting there from here: |
Guillaume Rivard
2008-04-11
