The Upper North Shore is globally renowned as one of the best places for whale watching cruises. Embark on an excursion boat to discover these giants of the sea.

A dozen species of whales frequent the marine estuary of the St. Lawrence River. Some are quite abundant, while others are endangered and can only be observed from a distance of 400 meters. Among them, the rorquals come to feed here during the summer season, from May to the end of October. The beluga is the only species to live year-round in the St. Lawrence.

Near the coast, in Tadoussac, the area is unique for its underwater relief that promotes the concentration of whales' prey, such as krill and small fish. The behemoths hunt all summer in this pantry. They must stock up on reserves before starting their autumn migration.

There is no better time to observe whales. Since they are always on the move, observations vary throughout a day, a week, and from year to year. Rain, wind, high tide, or low tide, morning or afternoon? All these factors have no influence on the behavior of whales. It is common to encounter two or three species of these marine mammals, and sometimes even more, in a single outing of two or three hours.

Visit the Whales Online website and read the News from the Open Sea to find out where the whales are. Or, visit the reception of the Marine Mammal Interpretation Center (CIMM) and ask to see the map of weekly observations.

You have the choice to embark on the type of boat that suits you: a 12 or 24-passenger zodiac for an expedition closest to the surface and spray, a 60-passenger zodiac-type boat, or a very comfortable boat with 200 or 600 passengers equipped with several decks, open or closed.

A captain-naturalist on board the zodiacs or a naturalist on the boats, all qualified and passionate, guide your outing and share with you their knowledge of marine mammals and their environment. Each excursion is an unpredictable experience. Keep in mind that you are visiting the natural habitat of these wild animals: their habitat is vast, they sometimes move quickly and over long distances. Captains do everything possible to offer you the best observations.