Welcome to our Guide to Tadoussac
Last modified on 2023-04-14. This page is dedicated to nature lovers and wildlife photographers who are looking to plan their visit to Tadoussac, Quebec. Our aim is to provide you with comprehensive information about the park's wildlife and help you make the most out of your trip.
Introduction
Tadoussac is a small touristic village located on the Northern shore of Saint Lawrence River about 200km North-East from Quebec City. The location is best known for being a starting point of whale-watching tours in the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park. The city features a small marine biology museum in the port.
How to Get Here
To visit Tadoussac, traveling by train or bus from Montreal to Quebec City which takes about 4 hours. No need for transfer. From Quebec City to Tadoussac, I take a bus. Another 4.5 hours trip. Train and buses terminal in Quebec City are side by side.
Photography Tips
There are different spots we highly recommend to visit for photography. At the port, on the left side, there is a long sand beach where shorebirds are looking for crustaceans and other food. With some patience you can get some very nice close up shots. Don't forget to watch for the incoming tide though or you may get wet. On the right side of the port you have a small hill with trees and a rocky beach. The trees are habitats for small birds the rocky beach are visited by shorebirds. Big rocks allow you to stay covered while waiting for a good photo opportunity.
North from Tadoussac, there is another long stretch of sandy beach with surrounding forests. This place can be reached by foot but it is a walk along the road and not that interesting.
What to See Here
Exceptional good place for bird watching during bird migration in spring and in summer a popular place for whale watching. Additionally, it’s a small town within the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Parkwith plenty of natural habitats around.
Recent Photos of Species
Species and Seasonality
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black Scoter (Melanitta americana) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotilta varia) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brant (Branta bernicla) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Buff-bellied Pipit (Anthus rubescens) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crackling Locust (Trimerotropis verruculata) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Groundhog (Marmota monax) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North-American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swainsons Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Times a species has been spotted, identified and logged while visiting this park. A species is reported only once / park visit. Consult the page animal tracking about how we log observations in field. Only species shown which we have logged at least 5 times in the Montreal area.
Landscape Photos Taken in Tadoussac, Quebec
Moody weather on our day of departure from this spectacular place to watch birds and whales.
2013-08-20
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; 4.3-215mm; Focal Length 18mm; Exposure 1/60; Aperture f5.0; Iso 125;
The red roof of this chapel is landmark of Tadoussac. Usually roofs of churches in Quebec are silver. Not this one.
2013-08-19
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; 4.3-215mm; Focal Length 25mm; Exposure 1/320; Aperture f5.0; Iso 80;
A single boat on the sea seen from the beach in Tadoussac. A common subject, I use to photography again and again over the years.
2013-08-18
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; 4.3-215mm; Focal Length 20mm; Exposure 1/500; Aperture f5.0; Iso 80;
For high quality, free available photos visit our profile on Unsplash.
Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to Tadoussac, Quebec.
All photos, videos, and text on this page are protected by copyright and are the exclusive property of Karl-Heinz Müller. Reproduction, distribution, or use of any content without permission is strictly prohibited. © Karl-Heinz Müller.