A fascinating dive into the world of whales

What do Guadeloupe, Chewbacca, U2, and Snow White have in common? These are the names of some of the whales that frequent the waters of the Parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent. Yes! It's possible to identify whales based on their physical characteristics. It's easy to see why observing them is such a fascinating activity. Whether on land or on the water, you will go on a unique excursion where you can see the river and its inhabitants from a completely different perspective. Follow the guide!

Cetaceans in love with Québec

Not well know, the migration of these giants of the sea is nonetheless spectacular! From April, the whales enter the Gulf, skirting the Côte-Nord or the Gaspésie Peninsula to the south. They then go up the river to the level of the Bas-Saint-Laurent to finish their journey in June (and sometimes at the end of May) at the mouth of the Saguenay River. Then, come autumn, the vast majority will retrace their steps to return to the Atlantic. Some whales will travel up to 5,000 km to reach the temperate waters of the Caribbean, where they will breed during the winter. 

What attracts them so faithfully, year after year? Good Québec food, of course! More abundant near the poles than in the tropics, food is concentrated given the currents of the St. Lawrence. Plankton, crustaceans (krill), and fish (capelin, herring) make up the bulk of the whales' diet. The gargantuan blue whale, the largest cetacean in the world (25 metres, over 100 tonnes), swallows two to four tons of krill per day!

The St. Lawrence is home to 13 species of cetaceans, including five known as “baleen whales.” In addition to the large blue whale, there are the minke whale and the right whale, not to mention the humpback whale, by far the most spectacular. The latter leaps out of the water, hits the waves with its long flippers, and lifts its tail with each dive. And its song!

Lastly, we meet the "greyhound of the sea", the fin whale, which can drag its 50-tonne body 40 km/h. What are you waiting for to tame them? A trip on the St. Lawrence is a special experience, especially for those with an adventurous spirit, while observing from the shore can also be a sweet moment of relaxation.

Respectful observation from land or sea

Many companies that offer sea excursions are taking every precaution to minimize the impact their boats have on whales and their habitats. For example, they make sure not to get too close to them, follow them, move too quickly or make loud noises. Their teams are trained and committed to upholding these responsible observation principles on every trip.

If you don’t have your sea legs, there are plenty of great places to go whale watching on land. The spectacle is no less impressive—the St. Lawrence River is very deep, allowing whales and other giants of the sea to swim along the coast. This allows you to admire them while respecting the tranquility of their environment.

The coast of the Côte-Nord, the Parc national Forillon in Gaspésie, the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, and the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Charlevoix regions are ideal locations for an unforgettable whale watching experience.

Here’s a tip for land-based whale watching: Do you see any birds flying above the water? That’s a good sign! The whales may not be far, because the birds sometimes feed on the same fish as them.