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Saguenay, Quebec - Just a 2 1/2 hour drive north of Quebec City, the warm waters of the 96 km (60-mile) Saguenay Fjord merge with the cold water of the St. Lawrence River, creating a krill-rich feeding ground that draws marine mammals and birds. It's one of the best, easily-assessable whale-watching areas in the world. Base yourself in the French-Canadian village of Tadoussac and head out in a tour boat, zodiac or kayak, or simply watch from shore. Good spots are the park viewing platform at Pointe-Noire, and giant granite boulders on the shore at Cap-de-BonDessire 22 km (14 miles) north. 13 different species of whales that frequent this area. The gentle giants range from the small, chubby, perpetually-smiling all-white ‘threatened’ Beluga, who stays year round and number around 500, to the world’s largest mammal – the nearly 30-metre (100 ft) ‘endangered’ blue whale, which has a heart the size of a volkswagen. About 300 Blue Whales are estimated to be in this region of the Atlantic. |
