Cruise the dramatic, cliff-walled Saguenay Fjord — one of the southernmost fjords in the world — aboard a private charter vessel to encounter the resident population of endangered St. Lawrence Belugas and the fin, blue, and humpback whales that congregate at the confluence with the St. Lawrence.
What to expect
Board at Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine, where the dark, cold Saguenay meets the St. Lawrence in a nutrient-rich upwelling that attracts the highest concentration of whales in eastern Canada. Your marine biologist guide scans the surface as white beluga pods surface alongside — some individuals known by name for over 30 years. The towering black basalt walls of the fjord rise 300 metres on both sides, capped by boreal forest. On the return run, look for minke and fin whales lunging through bait-fish schools in the open St. Lawrence.
Good to know
Best June–October; blue whales most reliably seen in July–August. Dress for wind and cold spray even in summer. Tadoussac is a frequent port call; pre-book the naturalist cruise or private charter directly with AML. GREMM-partnered voyages often sell out weeks ahead.