Tadoussac, Quebec: Whale watching, Fjords and Sand Dunes
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Tadoussac, Quebec
Whales, Fjords and Sand dunes
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Welcome to beautiful, historic Tadoussac, Quebec! Situated where the Saguenay River meets the Saint Lawrence River, in the Côte-Nord region of the province, Tadoussac is a tiny town with a whole lot of heart.
Not only is this area known for stunningly picturesque mountain views, but it’s also one of the most popular towns for whale watching in all of Quebec, Canada.
In fact, most travellers who stumble upon Tadoussac come here to catch a glimpse of the many whale species abundant in this area; including beluga whales, humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales and elusive blue whales. So, what is the best way to spot these amazing marine mammals, and what else is there to do in the area?
Quick tips for visiting Tadoussac, Quebec
Go whale watching (on the water or from the shore!)
Learn about sealife at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre
Explore the waterfront and Hôtel Tadoussac
Visit the Tadoussac Sand Dunes
Hike to scenic viewpoints in Saguenay Fjord National Park
When to visit Tadoussac
Tadoussac’s tourism industry is driven by two main forces; the weather and the whales. In winter and early spring, temperatures are chilly and views are often snow-covered. Ice freezes the Saguenay River causing convenient modes of transportation to pause operations. The whales head for warmer waters. As such, shops close and tourism slows substantially.
Whale watching season begins in mid-May and extends onward to Mid-October. Most shops, restaurants and tour companies enjoy similar times of operation. You are most likely to spot whales in September, but the months of July, August and October are still excellent options.
Getting to Tadoussac
Most travellers arrive in the area by way of Quebec City. Bus tours are available, though the drive is beautiful to take on your own. Plan for 3+ hours between these two destinations, including a small, scenic ferry ride across the Saguenay River just before arriving in Tadoussac.
If travelling from the south side of the Saint Lawrence, ferry service is available from Rivière-du-Loup to Saint-Siméon, typically starting around Easter weekend, and running through until the end of fall. Service may be available beyond that time, but at reduced hours. Once across, the drive from Saint-Siméon to Tadoussac is less than an hour and utilizes the same small ferry mentioned above.
Places to stay in Tadoussac
Rental properties are available in Tadoussac and surrounding areas such as Sacré-Couer, Les Escoumins, and further out (but closer to Quebec City) in La Malbaie.
But perhaps the most iconic place to stay is Hôtel Tadoussac. This classic red-roofed Victorian, built in 1864, overlooks Tadoussac Bay, a truly serene view.
If you are seeking true adventure, Saguenay Fjord National Park offers campsites, cabins and glamping tents located outside of the town of Tadoussac.
Things to do in Tadoussac area
Whale watching in Tadoussac
The favourite topic for most travellers heading to Côte-Nord, lets talk whale watching in Tadoussac.
You have two options for your Tadoussac whale watching adventure; take a whale watching tour OR watch from the shore. How close can you possibly see whales from the shore you ask? Well… turns out pretty close!
If you choose to take a tour, the most popular companies departing from Tadoussac Bay are Croisières AML and Tadoussac Autrement. Tours depart at various times throughout the day typically starting around 10am and costing about $100 per person per day for a 3 hour tour.
Most tours offer a whale guarantee, so you can be certain they’ll do their best to get you up close and personal with whales. Which whale sightings are most common, you may ask? Belugas (found year-round in this area), minke whales, humpback whales and finback whales. Blue whales are rarely seen this far up the river, but it is possible.
Another rare sighting you may be lucky enough to come across is the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. At time of writing there are less than 350 individuals left on the planet. Click here to read about or donate to conservation efforts.
Finally, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the most heart warming sights, a pod of belugas that has taken in a narwhal. This unconventional family was first discovered in 2016 and has returned every year since to these waters. Marine biologists await the potential of baby narlugas in the future. Amazing!
If you choose to view whales from the shore, there are several excellent viewpoints. For beluga watching, I recommend the hiking trails on the Tadoussac waterfront, just beyond the marina. A lookout on the opposite side of the Saguenay River, in Baie-Sainte-Catherine, is situated further away from the action (higher on the riverbank) at Pointe Noire.
A short drive outside of town, Parks Canada operates a viewing area in Cap de Bon-Désir, where visitors can view larger whales. This is the best place to get up close and personal with whales from the shore as they swim right up to the rocks.
Visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre
If you would like to learn more about the whale species in the area, stop by the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre down by the marina. A small museum, there are exhibits featuring several full-sized whale skeletons with lots of information on size comparisons, feeding techniques, reproduction and more.
Wander Tadoussac Boardwalk and Marina
It’s hard to beat the view of Tadoussac Bay from the boardwalk and hiking trails along the waterfront. Grab a latte and a pastry at Café l'Abri Côtier and take a stroll. Finish your evening at the pub, Microbrasserie Tadoussac, for a craft beer or two.
If history is your thing, you can travel back to 1747 at Canada’d oldest wooden church, Petite Chapelle de Tadoussac. You can also visit the Chauvin Trading Post, which functions as a museum.
Visit the Tadoussac Sand Dunes
The Tadoussac sand dunes are a natural phenomenon that appear out of place on the bank of the Saint Lawrence River. Formed by glacier movements, the steep dunes rise high above the water. You can carefully walk along the dunes or view them from several available lookouts. An easy 1km hiking trail offers excellent viewing of the dunes. Consider this entire area a bonus whale watching spot!
Hike in Saguenay Fjord National Park
Tadoussac Bay belongs to Saguenay Fjord National Park, a protected area which also includes sections of the Saguenay River just north of Tadoussac.
The park maintains many hiking trails with views of the steep fjords along the Saguenay River. I recommend Sentier le Fjord for stunning views at a fairly easy level of difficulty located just 30 minutes outside of Tadoussac.
Bonus! Sainte-Rose-du-Nord
Outside of Saguenay Fjord National Park, Sainte-Rose-du-Nord is an hour’s drive from Tadoussac, but offers stunning views of the fjords from both water level and a very short walking path high up on the cliffside. It is most definitely worth the drive should you have a little extra time.
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to have a fantastic time in Tadoussac, Quebec, it’s time to book your whale watching tour!
Bon voyage!
Hill XO
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