ALONG QUEBEC’S ROUTE DES BALEINES
Mer et Monde Ecotours, 20 chemin Jalbert, Les Bergeronnes. meretmonde.ca
(For safety reasons, children under age 11 are not allowed on sites closest to the water.)
Fire pits, picnic tables and spectacular whale watching — but no drinking water, so remember to take your own.
Camping Paradis Marin, 4 chemin Emile Boulianne, Bergeronnes. campingparadismarin.com
Views comparable to Mer et Monde, but with more amenities, including laundry facilities and a cafe by the river
The Marine Environment Discovery Centre, 41 rue des Pilotes, Les Escoumins.
itineraires.musees.qc.ca/en/st-lawrence-river/museums/marineenvironment-discovery
Cap de Bon-Desir Interpretation and Observation Centre, Road 138, Les Bergeronnes (25 km northeast of Tadoussac)
quebecmaritime.ca/en/company/cap-de-bon-desir-interpretation-andobservationcentre/activities
Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre. Road 138, BaieSte-Catherine.
pc.gc.ca/eng/amnc-nmca/qc/saguenay/natcul/natcul1.aspx
Admission to the Marine Environment Discovery Centre and the Cap de Bon-Desir Interpretation and Observation Centre provides sameday visiting privileges to all three locations, as does upgrading the fee at the Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre.
Cap de Bon-De sir includes a historic lighthouse and offers guided walks and activities by the water, while Pointe-Noire and the Marine Discovery Centre feature panoramic shoreline trails with lookout sites and telescopes. At the Marine Environment Discovery Centre, divers with underwater cameras also provide live video feed from the bottom of the St. Lawrence.
WHAT TO BRING:
The shoreline can be cool and breezy even in midsummer, so be sure to pack warm clothing. Rain gear is also a must, especially since you can still see (and hear) the whales in fog and drizzle. And don’t forget to take a pair of binoculars — as well as a camera with a decent zoom lens.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Blue whale: Up to 30 metres. Tapered body, flat head, spotted bluegrey colour. Relatively small dorsal fin located so far back on the whale’s body that you won’t see it until the head is submerged and the whale is about to dive.
Fin whale: Up to 22 metres. Back and sides are dark grey to brownish black, belly is white; lower jaw is dark on left side, white on right side. Small, sharply hooked dorsal fin isn’t visible until after blow is seen.
Minke whale: Up to 10 metres. Back is black to dark grey, belly is white, and pectoral flippers possess distinctive white bands. From a distance, the minke might resemble the fin whale; but the more gently curved dorsal fin of the smaller minke can be seen at same time as its blow.
Humpback whale: Up to 16 metres. Black to grey, with varying amounts of white on undersides. Easily recognized by its knobbed head and long, knobby pectoral fins with scalloped edges. Raises its large fluke high above the water when preparing to dive.
Beluga: Up to six metres. Easily recognized by its small size, white colour (though calves may be brown or grey), rounded forehead and lack of dorsal fin.