The St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord are the natural habitat of many marine mammals. Over 10 species of whales live in these waters, including the blue whale (the largest marine mammal in the world!), fin and humpback whales, belugas, porpoises, and dolphins. Marine wildlife also includes seals, starfish, and seabirds. On board of a zodiac, in a sea kayak or even on a hike, keep your eyes peeled, the show is always on! In Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie or Bas-Saint-Laurent, the options for marine wildlife watching are plenty. Look for a Quality-Safety certified business to book an excursion that is both respectful and safe, for wildlife and humans alike. On a cruise with an interpretive guide or in a kayak at sunrise, dive into the fascinating world our marine ecosystems.
Off the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, the mythical Gaspe Peninsula is an ideal destination for hikes, deep sea excursions, wildlife or whale observation, kayaking, canoeing, days at the beach, canyoning, diving and so much more. The Tourisme Gaspesie visitor region includes access to the GRA1 trail ? the only hiking trail in North America homologated GR® (long-distance/grande randonnée). Also known as the International Appalachian Trail, it connects to the tip of Parc national de Forillon in the Matapedia region and crosses the Chic-Choc mountain range, offering long-distance hikes of up to 40 days long. Canoe buffs should paddle the limpid waters of the Bonaventure River, and admire its turquoise reflections. From its acclaimed Perce Rock, Bonaventure Island and northen gannet population to its UNESCO World Heritage status and summits that soar high above the 1,000 metre mark, Gaspe is a must-see region for its great outdoors. In winter, abundant snowfalls make it an off-trail skier’s and snowmobiler’s paradise up in in the mountains of the Chic-Chocs Wildlife Reserve, and Parc national de la Gaspesie, where visitors also enjoy caribou and moose observation.
