explorer
quebec
saguenay-st. lawrence marine park From whales to sea cucumbers, the underwater world is here to discover
While watching whales frolic can be a life-changing experience, one thing can quickly put a damper on the whole situation—seasickness. Luckily, viewing Canada’s marine life doesn’t have to mean heading out to sea. At the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, it just means making a three-hour journey east of Quebec City. Here, at the mouth of the Saguenay River, the waters mix with the St. Lawrence estuary to provide a rich food supply for whales, including belugas. Nearly 900 live in the St. Lawrence year-round, and spend their summers in the marine park. Hikes and viewing platforms will allow you to watch the whales at play. Or you can visit the Marine Environment Discovery Centre, where you can see through the eyes of diverinterpreters, who live-stream their discoveries as they explore the local habitat for starfish, anemones and sea cucumber. Snorkellers and divers can explore the unique sea life firsthand. Sea kayakers can also tour the islands of the Saguenay Fjord, paddling past cliffs that reach heights of up to 300 metres. Then again, if you’ve got your sea legs—or access to a box of Gravol— boat tours are also on offer. 46 away Spring 2017