Fauna Flora Photography

Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park, Tadoussac

The Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park is a national park established to protect the marine habitat where the Saguenay River flows into the estuary of the St. Lawrence River. It is an important location for marine mammal research and whale watching tourism.

How to Get Here

Boat trips to the marine park depart from various harbours along the north and south coasts of the St. Lawrence River. The most important harbour is in Tadoussac. You can reach Tadoussac by taking a bus from Quebec City’s bus terminal, which takes approximately 5 hours.

Google Map

Photography Tips

An ambitious photographer will look for an opportunity to sit into a small Zodiac. A small Zodiac is important because you will be able to get closer to whales and seals and at sea level. If your looking for Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) or Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) you have to go in August. There is a chance to see them before or after August but during August you are almost guaranteed to spot them.

Whales are large animals, and you don't need a very large lens. All our photos and videos have been taken with a 200mm lens. However, you should have a camera that is fast in acquiring focus. We summarized our experience in Whale Photography here: Whale Photography with Nikon Z6

What to See Here

Saguenay Marine Park is a protected area for whales, seals and birds and very popular among persons interested in whale watching. It serves also as location for different whale research projects. Thus the main reason to visit this place is to spot different whale species. With some luck you may even spot Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) or Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the beach. On a tour during the right time of the year you may also spot a Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) or Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus). With a lot of luck you may get a glimpse on Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

SpeciesSpringSummerFallWinter
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) - x - -
Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) - x - -
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - x - -
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) - x - -
Double-Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) - x - -
Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) - x - -
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) - x - -
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) - x - -
Groundhog (Marmota monax) - x - -
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) - x - -
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) - x - -
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) - x - -
Northern Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - x - -
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) - x - -
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) - x - -
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) - x - -
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) - x - -
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) - x - -

When specific species have been observed, identified, and recorded in this park.

Photos of Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park

Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-27
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2021-08-20
Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park - 2013-08-17

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.