The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is one of the best places in the world to observe whales.
A protected marine area with exceptional biodiversity, the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is home to over 2200 species, from microscopic algae to blue whales. Come and enjoy land and sea experiences in the regions of Côte-Nord and Bas-Saint-Laurent!
Land experiences
Discover a wide variety of attractions and activities such as observation and interpretation centres focusing on the marine environment, lighthouses, hiking trails and lookouts offering incredible views of the marine park. Keep your eyes peeled and you may see birds, seals and whales.
Located in Côte-Nord, two Parks Canada centres invite you to dive into the fascinating marine world: the Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre (Les Bergeronnes) and the Marine Environment Discovery Centre (Les Escoumins).
Be sure to also explore the panoramic trails in Tadoussac and in Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay.
Sea experiences
Set off to sea during a guided sea excursion aboard a sightseeing boat, sailboat or sea kayak to discover the habitat of the whales, the Saguenay Fjord or the islands in the St. Lawrence.
The more adventurous can also go snorkelling or scuba diving to discover varied and colourful marine life beneath the waves.
Don’t forget! When you spot a marine mammal, make sure to keep a distance of at least 200 metres (660 feet) from it, or 400 metres (1310 feet) for endangered species such as belugas and blue whales.
To plan your stay, visit the marine park’s website, download the Visitor’s Guide or go to a tourist information office for more information.
Opening dates
May to October (depending on the activity)
Reservations
Reserve your sea excursion directly with the excursion company.Activities available
How to get there
The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park covers an area of 1245 km2 (480 sq. mi.), the equivalent of two and a half times the size of the Island of Montréal, and protects parts of the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord. You can get there by water or drive to the shores of the marine park. Its borders are only visible on maps.
By road:
- Take Route 138 from La Malbaie in the Saint-Fidèle sector of the Charlevoix region to Les Escoumins in Côte-Nord.
- Take Route 170 from Saint-Siméon to the town of Saguenay or Route 172 from Tadoussac to the town of Saguenay.
- Take Route 132 or Highway 20 in Bas-Saint-Laurent from Rivière-du-Loup to Trois-Pistoles.
By water:
Visitors travelling by boat can stop in any of the 10 marinas that border the park. Find out about the regulations you must follow when boating in the marine park.
In the St. Lawrence:
- Cap-à-l’Aigle marina
- Rivière-du-Loup yacht club
- Trois-Pistoles marina
- Tadoussac marina
- Les Bergeronnes yacht club
Affiliations and distinctions
Affiliations
- Parks Canada network
- Parcs Québec network (Sépaq)
- Tourisme Côte-Nord
- Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Eco-Whale Alliance
- Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ)
Distinctions
- Québec’s first marine protected area and one of the first in Canada, created in 1998
- Jointly managed by the governments of Canada and Québec in partnership with local community representatives
- Has the mission to preserve marine life while promoting sustainable scientific research and educational and recreational activities within the park
