Tadoussac/Charlevoix: Whale Watching Tour
- 2–3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
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
Inclusions
What's included
- Expert and certified naturalist guide onboard
- Waterproof jacket and pants (if choosing the Zodiac option)
- Bilingual commentary
- All Fees and Taxes
- Whale watching tour
What's not
- Gratuities
- Parking
- Food and drinks
- Binoculars
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.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.0
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Ratings come from 511 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Amazing saw lots of whales
Amazing trip, we saw so many whales. Beluga, minke, fin and humpback. Our guide was really knowledgeable. You do have to register elsewhere in town so leave plenty of time for that.
5Stunning fjord scenery with knowledgeable whale watch experts
The journey from Quebec City to Baie St Catherine is mind blowing in itself, and now you add in fjord style scenery, a zodiac boat and whale watching experts to the experience, and you will have an unforgettable time. Seeing these huge whales coming out of the water (3 of them simultaneously no less!) to breathe is a sight to behold of, sthg that will stay with me forever, thank you, it was very beautiful.
5We saw lots of Beluga and...
We saw lots of Beluga and Minke whales on this excursion. It was a fun and enjoyable whale watching experience. I would recommend this cruise.
3Great Nature, but…
We booked on AML’s Grande Fleuve for whale watching out of Tadoussac. The cruise gave us excellent information and we saw 5 different whale species, as well as seals, birds and scenery. Really good equipment, knowledgeable guide and friendly crew. However the company needs to improve the experience for its VIP customers: 1. AML’s website advertises a VIP ticket but we couldn’t book it online. We had to book the normal ticket then phone the office to request and pay for the upgrade. Disappointing for a premium service and a security risk by giving credit card information over the phone 2. Who uses physical paper tickets in the 21st century? We misunderstood the confirmation email and didn’t check in at the office before going to the dock so had to retrace to the AML office and get paper tickets then beat it back to line up. There are at least 3 other ways to make this a seamless check-in experience. 3. The website, the phone call, the confirmation email, the office visit, the paper ticket: none of these told use we had preferred boarding, nor how to access this feature. Turns out we lined up with everyone else and only later saw a small sign in an out-of-the way place hinting we could board first. How about a big sign prominently located at the dock giving your highest revenue passengers a clue? Lastly, the website and other marketing material talks about eco-responsibility in a fragile environment. I couldn’t find any specific actions being taken. Please provide a link to the specifics for those who would like to dig deeper. From my observations in the VIP area I’m thinking this responsibility doesn’t extend to limiting the use of single use plastics in your food and beverage service. Loved the whales, didn’t love the customer service.
590 seconds from the dock to see our first whale
Five star experience all the way. My recommendation would be to take the Zodiac experience. The large ship that carries maybe a hundred people doesn't have the same mobility or agility that the small zodiac does. Our captain was able to maneuver zodiac in such a way that we could see the whales up close from both sides. And a few times we turn the motor off and just watch the whales surface and dive around us. We also did the fjord tour at the same time. Again the Zodiac captain did some high-speed maneuvers left and right which were a ton of fun and everybody enjoyed... Again not something you can get on the large ship. Definitely worth the price and we'd even consider going again. Don't worry about seeing the whales. We weren't off the dock for 90 seconds and we were already surrounded by belugas on both sides.
5Best trip
Best experience si far truly something I will recommend doing. Best time to see them is early morning so try to book the earliest options. Amazing guide and information all throughout the tour we both enjoy it at all time despite being cold.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- This is the meeting point for Zodiac departures from Tadoussac. We’ll provide waterproof clothing and have you sign a release form. No parking here—use the paid lot at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (108, rue de la Cale Sèche), a short walk away.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 400 travellers
- Operated by
- Croisieres AML
- 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.
About Tadoussac
Tadoussac, a small village where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St Lawrence, is a whale-watching base on Quebec's North Shore with a long fur-trading past.
Tadoussac sits where the dark water of the Saguenay Fjord pours into the broad St Lawrence estuary, on a bay ringed by hills and spruce. French traders set up a post here in 1600, and the small wooden chapel built in the mid-1700s is often described as one of the oldest wooden churches in North America. Sand dunes rise behind the village, and a short ferry crosses the mouth of the fjord.