Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park
The Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park is a national park established to protect the marine habitat where the Saguenay River flows into the estuary of the St. Lawrence River. It is an important location for marine mammal research and whale watching tourism.
Last changed on 2024-12-18
Photos
Click on photo to enlarge.
Tap image to enlarge
Tap image to enlarge
Tap image to enlarge
How to Get Here
Boat trips to the marine park depart from various harbours along the north and south coasts of the St. Lawrence River. The most important harbour is in Tadoussac. You can reach Tadoussac by taking a bus from Quebec City’s bus terminal, which takes approximately 5 hours.
What to See Here
Saguenay Marine Park is a protected area for whales, seals and birds and very popular among persons interested in whale watching. It serves also as location for different whale research projects. Thus the main reason to visit this place is to spot different whale species. With some luck you may even spot Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) or Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the beach. On a tour during the right time of the year you may also spot a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) or Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus). With a lot of luck you may get a glimpse on Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).
Photography Tips
An ambitious photographer will look for an opportunity to sit into a small Zodiac. A small Zodiac is important because you will be able to get closer to whales and seals and at sea level. If your looking for Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) or Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) you have to go in August. There is a chance to see them before or after August but during August you are almost guaranteed to spot them.
Whales are large animals, and you don't need a very large lens. All our photos and videos have been taken with a 200mm lens. However, you should have a camera that is fast in acquiring focus. We summarized our experience in Whale Photography here: Whale Photography with Nikon Z6
Species by Season
| Species | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | - | x | - | - |
| Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) | - | x | - | - |
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | - | x | - | - |
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | - | x | - | - |
| Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) | - | x | - | - |
| Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) | - | x | - | - |
| Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) | - | x | - | - |
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | - | x | - | - |
| Groundhog (Marmota monax) | - | x | - | - |
| Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) | - | x | - | - |
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | - | x | - | - |
| Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) | - | x | - | - |
| Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) | - | x | - | - |
| Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) | - | x | - | - |
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | - | x | - | - |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) | - | x | - | - |
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | - | x | - | - |
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | - | x | - | - |
"-" indicates no observation. It may not necessarily mean though that the species is absent from this park during that season.