Wilder.
A beluga whale near Tadoussac, Quebec
Photo: Luca Galuzzi ( Lucag ), CC BY-SA 2.5

Marine park · Canada

Tadoussac and Saguenay Wildlife Checklist

Tadoussac sits where the Saguenay fjord meets the St. Lawrence, inside the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park in Quebec. It is one of the best places in the world to watch whales from shore: belugas live here all year, and minke, fin, humpback and blue whales feed from June to October. This checklist covers 45 animals. August and September are best.

Cold, deep water rising at the head of the Laurentian Channel brings krill and small fish close to shore. That is why big whales come so far up a river.

Tick them off in Wilder Print the checklist

Free A4 PDF, no sign-up. Wilder is free to start and works offline.

See all 45 animals
The Tadoussac checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked
Animals to find
45
Where
Canada
Best time
Jun to Oct
St. Lawrence belugas
About 1,850

The whales of Tadoussac

  • Minke Whale, one of the animals to look for in Tadoussac

    Minke Whale

    The most frequent large whale here, from May. Minkes often feed close to the rocks at Pointe de l'Islet in Tadoussac.

    Photo: Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com), CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Fin Whale, one of the animals to look for in Tadoussac

    Fin Whale

    The second-largest animal on Earth, regular from June to October. Look for the tall blow and a long back rolling on and on.

    Photo: Hans Bernhard ( Schnobby ), CC BY-SA 3.0

  • Beluga

    The St. Lawrence belugas are an endangered, year-round population of about 1,850. Boats must stay 400 m away, so the best views are often from shore.

  • Humpback Whale

    Numbers vary from year to year, but late summer often brings a few that lift their tails and sometimes breach.

  • Blue Whale

    Seen most summers, mainly from August, usually further down the estuary. A sighting is never guaranteed.

  • Harbour Porpoise

    Small and shy. On calm days watch for a quick, low fin from the rocks at Cap de Bon-Désir.

  • Harbour Seal

    Hauls out on rocks at low tide around the mouth of the fjord and along the north shore.

  • Northern Gannet

    Plunge-diving gannets are a common sight over the estuary in late summer and autumn.

All 45 animals to spot in Tadoussac

Grouped the way you'll meet them. Tips show where to look.

Whales and seals 8

Seabirds 10

Ducks and divers 6

Birds of prey 8

Shore and forest birds 8

Land mammals 4

Sea life 1

  • Last reviewed September 2026.
  • Sources are listed below the questions.
  • Wild animals only. Please give them space.

Best time to see wildlife in Tadoussac

Whale season runs from late May to late October. Belugas live here all year, but in winter ice forms on the estuary and there are no tours. Minke whales arrive first, from May. Fin and humpback whales build through the summer, and August and September usually bring the most species, including the chance of a blue whale. July and August are also the busiest months in town, so book boats ahead. October is quieter and often still good for big whales, with autumn colour on the fjord. Mornings and evenings tend to be calmer on the water, and fog can roll in fast in any month.

  • May-JunMinke whales, first tours
  • JulFin whales arrive, busy in town
  • Aug-SepMost species, blue whale chance
  • OctQuieter, autumn colour
  • Nov-AprIce, no whale tours

Tips for spotting wildlife in Tadoussac

  1. Start on the shore

    Walk the Pointe de l'Islet trail in Tadoussac on a rising tide. Minkes, belugas and seals often feed within a few hundred metres of the rocks.

  2. Visit Cap de Bon-Désir

    Parks Canada's Cap de Bon-Désir centre near Les Bergeronnes has flat rocks right above deep water, and whales pass close in summer. Bring binoculars and a warm jacket.

  3. Look for belugas in the fjord

    At Baie-Sainte-Marguerite in Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park, a trail leads to a lookout where belugas often gather in summer. Pointe-Noire, across the fjord mouth from Tadoussac, is another good spot.

  4. Choose your boat

    Large boats are steadier with better views; zodiacs sit closer to the water. All must keep 400 m from belugas and blue whales and 200 m from other whales in the marine park.

  5. Dress for cold water

    Even in August the water is cold, often below 10°C, and the wind on a boat bites. Take a warm layer, a hat and gloves on any trip.

The Wilder app

Take Tadoussac with you

Tick off belugas, minkes and fin whales from the rocks or the boat at Tadoussac. Wilder is free to start and works without signal.

  • Tick off as you goOut in the field with no signal, too.
  • Add your photosEach sighting keeps its date and picture.
  • A summary of the tripEverything you saw, day by day.
  • A passport stampOne for Tadoussac, kept in your Wilder passport.
Start Tadoussac in Wilder
Or scan with
your phone

Free to start. This list and the printable PDF are free.

The Tadoussac checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked

Tadoussac wildlife FAQ

What whales can you see in Tadoussac?

You can see five whale species regularly around Tadoussac: beluga, minke, fin, humpback and blue whales, plus harbour porpoises. Belugas and minkes are the most frequent. Fin whales are common from midsummer, humpbacks vary from year to year, and blue whales are seen most years but less often and usually further out.

When is whale watching season in Tadoussac?

Whale watching season in Tadoussac runs from about late May to late October. August and September usually offer the widest range of species. Minke whales arrive in spring, and fin and humpback whales build through the summer. Tours stop in winter, when ice forms on the estuary.

Can you see belugas in Tadoussac?

Yes, belugas live in the St. Lawrence estuary all year and are regularly seen near Tadoussac, especially at the mouth of the Saguenay. They are endangered, with about 1,850 left, so boats must stay at least 400 m away and can't approach them. Shore lookouts such as Pointe-Noire and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite often give better views.

Can you see blue whales in the St. Lawrence?

Yes, blue whales feed in the St. Lawrence estuary most summers, mainly from August to October. They are endangered and far fewer than the other whales here, and are usually seen further downstream towards Les Escoumins rather than right off Tadoussac. Longer boat trips give the best chance, but no tour can promise one.

Sources

Last reviewed September 2026

Photo credits

All photo credits. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Nearby checklists

All North America
Save them to Wilder