Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Tour
Description
Head off to meet the whales in the world's best observation site on a whale watching boat or zodiac tour departing from your choice of Tadoussac or Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Charlevoix! Our bilingual naturalist guides will teach you everything there is to know about these giants of the sea and the other marine mammals you will have the chance to encounter on this incredible adventure. - Witness up to 13 majestic whale species in the best whale-watching site worldwide - Choose your type of adventure between our speedy Zodiacs or our specially designed boats - Listen to insightful bilingual commentary provided by expert naturalist guides onboard - Admire breathtaking views of the Saguenay Fjord with its mountainous landscapes - Enjoy stunning panoramic views aboard our vessels, specially designed for optimal marine mammal observation
Tour Options
Itinerary
Embark on a thrilling journey at the world’s best whale watching site! Choose between our spacious, specially designed observation boats or an intimate Zodiac experience, all led by expert bilingual naturalist guides. Witness up to 13 whale species in their natural habitat while soaking in breathtaking views of the fjord. Majestic Whales: Our certified bilingual naturalist guides will share fascinating insights about the whale species that frequent the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. Boat or Zodiac Option: Step aboard our state-of-the-art observation boats, designed for maximum comfort and optimal whale watching, or opt for one of our sleek Zodiacs, designed for an immersive experience and minimal environmental impact. Whale Guarantee: Our sighting rate is extremely high, but as the marine park is a natural environment, sometimes mammals can be more elusive. If no sightings are made, we'll offer you another whale watching boat tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Stroller accessible only on boat (not on zodiac).
- For zodiac children under 6 years old are not allowed.
- If you are traveling from Québec City or Charlevoix, it is recommended to choose the Baie-Ste-Catherine departure instead of Tadoussac. The experience is identical, as the boat will pick up passengers from both locations.
- We recommend that you dress warmly even in summer, as the temperature on the water can get cooler than on land.
- Our fleet contains 24 and 60-passenger Zodiacs. The choice of boat will be based on logistical reasons, therefore the size of the boat cannot be guaranteed.
- Cruises operate rain or shine unless weather conditions pose a safety risk to passengers. Rest assured, the boat features an enclosed area for your comfort.
- To ensure your safety and in accordance with Transport Canada standards, departure times may be adjusted if weather conditions or mechanical issues arise.
- For personal expenses, only credit card payments are accepted on board (no cash)
- Zodiac excursions are not advisable, and even prohibited for certain persons such as young children (under the age of 6), pregnant women, people suffering from articulation, back, or autonomy problems.
Reviews(487)
We booked the Zodiac whale watching tour from Quebec City. While the nature experience itself and seeing the whales was great, the organization of the day trip left much to be desired for Zodiac passengers. Key points to be aware of if you book this tour: Bus logistics and group merging: We were told when booking that we would travel in a minibus specifically for the Zodiac group. Instead, we were put on a large bus combined with the group going on the big ship. No options for hot food or drinks: Passengers on the large ship have access to an indoor heated salon, a restaurant, and hot drinks on board. On the Zodiac, there are zero amenities. However, the bus logistics didn't account for this at all. The only stop along the 3-hour route was a small local gourmet shop selling cheese, cold cuts, and snacks. There was no place to buy hot tea, coffee, or a hot meal during the entire 10-hour trip. Schedule confusion: In the written confirmation, the departure time was listed as 8:30 AM, but I received a phone call the day before stating the bus leaves at 9:00 AM. Advice for future travelers on the Zodiac: Do not rely on the tour operator for comfort or food. Eat a heavy hot breakfast before leaving, bring your own thermal flask with a hot drink, pack plenty of food (repacked compactly), and wear heavy windproof clothing with warm layers, gloves, and extra socks. You will get very cold on the water, and there will be no way to warm up until you get back home.
Knowledgeable guide knew where to take us to see whales and other wildlife. Also the weather was great. That added to the experience.
Hello, thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed this relaxing way to discover Québec City from the water. It's especially rewarding to know that you appreciated the professionalism of our team and the bilingual commentary. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! — the Croisières AML team ⚓
Amazing experience! So many whales and other marine animals. Great service from planning, to booking, to site change to interpretation!! Thanks.
Hello, thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed seeing so many whales and marine animals. It's especially rewarding to know that our team provided great service every step of the way, from planning and booking to the onboard interpretation. Thank you for sharing your experience! — the Croisières AML team ⚓
Charges a very high price for a three-hour cruise that only lasts 2.5 hours Required to pay for parking a 25-minute walk away and take a shuttle, while waiting for half an hour Too bad because the cruise is interesting Lack of professionalism
Bonjour, merci d’avoir partagé votre expérience. Nous sommes désolés d’apprendre que certains aspects de l’organisation, notamment la durée perçue de l’activité et la logistique entourant le stationnement, n’ont pas répondu à vos attentes. Nous sommes toutefois heureux que vous ayez trouvé la croisière intéressante. Vos commentaires ont été transmis à l’équipe concernée. — l'équipe de Croisières AML ⚓
This was a brilliant experience. I’ve experienced many whale watches before, but this was next level. The zokiac allowed us to get up close and personal in a respectful manner. Specially, a humpback whale swam under the port side of our boat. It was otherworldly!! I highly recommend this tour. We saw many fin and minke whales and seals as well!
Hello Wendy, thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your whale-watching experience exceeded your expectations. What an incredible moment to have a humpback whale swim beneath your zodiac! We're delighted that you were able to observe fin whales, minke whales, seals, and so much wildlife while enjoying a respectful and memorable encounter with nature. Thank you for your recommendation! — the Croisières AML team ⚓
Good experience. Despite the crowd on the boat, everyone was able to see whales, belugas, and seals. Bring warm clothing
Bonjour, merci d’avoir partagé votre expérience! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez pu observer des baleines, des bélugas et des phoques durant votre excursion. Nous sommes également heureux de savoir que chacun a pu profiter des observations malgré l’achalandage à bord. Merci pour votre conseil concernant les vêtements chauds et pour vos bons mots! — l'équipe de Croisières AML ⚓
Saw 4 types of whales and 2 kids of seals. We were lucky - the humpback was diving and we saw the tail.
Hello, thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you were able to see four species of whales and two kinds of seals during your excursion. What a special moment to witness a humpback whale diving and showing its tail! Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon. — the Croisières AML team ⚓
We had such a fun time! It was a whale bonanza!! Humpbacks, fin whales and one beluga whale. We saw so many whales in such a short time that we went back and got to explore the fjord and see a beautiful waterfall, sea lions sunning themselves on the rocks and just the most stunning scenery. Guides were informative, entertaining and kind. The information was given in French and English.
Hello, thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed such amazing wildlife sightings, including humpback whales, fin whales, and a beluga whale. It’s great to know that you also had the opportunity to explore the fjord, admire the waterfall, and enjoy the stunning scenery. Thank you for your kind words about our guides. We truly appreciate your recommendation! — the Croisières AML team ⚓
A must-do by zodiac. Lots of whales of different species, top-notch and enthusiastic guide.
Bonjour, merci pour votre superbe commentaire! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez pu observer de nombreuses baleines de différentes espèces lors de votre excursion en zodiac. Merci également pour vos bons mots à l’égard de votre guide. Nous sommes heureux que cette expérience vous ait plu et vous remercions pour votre recommandation! — l'équipe de Croisières AML ⚓
Incredible experience!!! We had an exceptional morning, we were lucky enough to see many whales. Our captain gave us a lot of very interesting information about the whales. Thank you!!!
Bonjour, merci pour votre magnifique commentaire! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez vécu une matinée exceptionnelle et pu observer de nombreuses baleines. Merci également pour vos bons mots à l’égard de votre capitaine et de ses explications. Au plaisir de vous accueillir de nouveau pour une autre aventure inoubliable! — l'équipe de Croisières AML ⚓
