Fauna Flora Photography

Beluga Whale Delphinapterus leucas

Beluga Whale is a small, toothed whale, completely white and without dorsal fin. This species is adapted to arctic and sub-arctic conditions. It swims slowly and prefers forming groups up to 10 individuals.

Specs

Length4-6m
Weight680-1360kg

Common Names

GermanWeißwal
EnglishBeluga Whale
FrenchBéluga
SpanishBeluga

Taxonomy

OrderArtiodactyla
SuborderCetacea
FamilyMonodontidae
SpeciesDelphinapterus leucas

How to Identify

The defining characteristic that sets Beluga whales apart and aids in their identification is their distinctive white coloration.

Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) - Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-25
Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) - Tadoussac - 2018-05-23

Photography Tips

When seeking opportunities to capture photos of Beluga whales, it's important to note that approaching them on a boat closer than 400m is strictly prohibited. Beluga whales are protected species, and permission is required for any close interactions. However, there are still opportunities available to capture photos and videos of these magnificent creatures.

Beluga Whales are known to approach the beach, particularly at the estuary of Saguenay River. For optimal observation, set up your camera at the most exposed point of the peninsula near the harbor of Tadoussac. It is common for Beluga whales to swim around the corner as they make their way to the upstream nursery. Regrettably, backlighting can be a challenge at this location when observing Beluga whales, especially during rough sea conditions. Spotting them becomes more difficult in such situations. To enhance your chances of success, we recommend planning your visit to this location during the early morning hours.

In the near future, we will be exploring the South Coast of the Saint Lawrence River for similar photography opportunities. One advantage of the South Coast is that you can expect to have the sun positioned behind you, providing favorable lighting conditions for capturing stunning photographs.

Where and When to Spot

Permanent residents of the Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park, these whale species can be seen in the Saguenay River estuary or along St. Lawrence River's North coast. Whenever we visit this marine park, we always spot Belugas.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - x - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

References


Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.