Top 5 Tadoussac Cruises: Whale Watching & Sailing Tours
Tadoussac, found at the point where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St. Lawrence River, has actually developed into a real, special spot for anyone wanting to see whales in their natural home. This little village in Quebec provides quite a few options for getting out on the water, and, really, viewing some pretty stunning marine life. From big whale watching boats that have loads of space and comfort to smaller, faster zodiacs that get you super close to the action, there’s most likely a cruise out there that fits what you want. To help you pick just the best adventure, we went out and looked into, ranked, and then wrote real reviews of what many think are the top 5 Tadoussac cruises and sailing tours. This way you can plan your trip, so, too it’s almost as perfect as possible.
1. AML Grand Fleuve: Big Boat Whale Watching
The AML Grand Fleuve tour is generally considered a solid choice if you appreciate lots of room when out on the ocean. These bigger boats give pretty comfy seating, indoor sections (which are useful when it gets a little chilly), and often have food and drinks for sale. The views from the top deck happen to be quite incredible, so, too it’s almost as though you have this really wide view of the St. Lawrence. Gray whales, blues, minkes and some seals might be just what you will see!
AML even brings a naturalist on board; they are filled with very awesome details on the whales and just the area overall. If you’ve never been whale watching, they really get down to talking about the animals and just the effort to protect these mammals, yet doing so on such a large boat often means it won’t move very quickly, that is, you have a little less “close encounters” compared to some others. The AML Grand Fleuve cruises normally go for around three hours, which happens to give passengers plenty of chance to potentially glimpse different species and get some really nice pics. Many passengers have really talked up just how friendly the team seems, yet some may think it is too touristy, and more on the corporate side, versus feeling like one of those intimate trips. Read our full review: AML Grand Fleuve Whale Watching Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (AML Grand Fleuve)
2. Croisières Essipit: Zodiac Adventures
Croisières Essipit provides trips with Zodiac boats, which are much smaller, so, too it’s almost easier to zoom up near the whales. Based in the oldest village in Canada, these tours happen to be driven by guides that know everything about the animals there. Because the boat is small, it feels extremely exciting to go skimming the waters; folks have really appreciated just how near to the whales they happen to have got. I am aware that wearing some layers happens to be super important considering it could get seriously chilly out there, especially early in the morning. Zodiacs hold like about a dozen or so people, so, too it’s almost the case that you do not experience that packed type environment one tends to experience in bigger tours. Note that it might be bumpy, and these Zodiacs might not work perfectly well for people who might have back trouble, or people who don’t love too much of a thrill. Essipit gives several different tour choices, like sunset tours and morning watches; trips are commonly between 2-3 hours. These tours get pretty good reviews for really connecting and relating to guests, also quite interesting commentary. Read our full review: Croisieres Essipit Zodiac Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Croisières Essipit)
3. Tadoussac Autrement: Sailing at its Finest
Consider a bit slower of an adventure in which you sail rather quietly as you watch for whales; this is generally what Tadoussac Autrement happens to be great for. These boats commonly sail along the waters using only wind, which makes it rather soothing versus motoring very fast all the while. Tadoussac Autrement uses smaller sailboats, this ends up adding to the special, intimate experience. Normally there might be just around a max of 12 people on this trip which means more time to chat, view everything without anyone crowding, and for all, generally speaking, a greater experience! You get a very peaceful feeling when sailing and, clearly, see whales breaching in an area with just about nothing around you but sea, whales, so, too it’s almost just the complete opposite to traffic jams on highways! Tours run almost 3 hours. Do bring a sweater, maybe even layers too since getting that wind going feels lovely but possibly too cold very quickly. People that want quiet and a sustainable trip might find that this company matches nicely with their choices. Read our full review: Tadoussac Autrement Sailing Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tadoussac Autrement)
4. Otis Excursions: Private Whale Watching Trips
Otis Excursions comes through with personalized, or in other words, private experiences viewing wildlife around Tadoussac. With an offering that includes private trips out for viewing whales in a Zodiac, you can certainly plan everything from the time to how long and perhaps even which area. Guides working with Otis happen to know really, super specific bits of information of those local spots in Tadoussac, meaning perhaps they know places other tours do not, or possibly will not, typically visit. That’s private trips. These excursions accommodate much smaller sets, so you could potentially bring loved ones and do nothing more than focus only yourselves with perhaps no others nearby. Many customers praise the knowledge the company has and their drive to see to it you experience, say, for instance, really great sights but maybe see stuff nobody gets to normally, perhaps due to the timing you planned! Understand that since you have it all private you do pay extra compared to some other shared group journeys. This may well fit the bill if hoping not to deal alongside masses of vacationers and wish to adapt your whale outings based upon that group preferences. Read our full review: Otis Excursions Whale Watching Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Otis Excursions)
5. L’Auberge de la Baie: Sea Kayaking Tours
Should you desire a far more self guided and really one on one encounter observing some whales, L’Auberge de la Baie can most certainly arrange kayak tours along the fjord out of Tadoussac. In close proximity, those on the trip often notice seals and birds including whales perhaps very nearby! A few things which may well seem just what you want concerning kayaking are normally calm, sheltered water with tour people, therefore normally beginners will love to go this way rather safely, also pleasantly enough too! Guided trips usually span 3 hours which commonly offer safety instruction too which means it all goes nicely and calmly as well. Gear such as every kayak is there too. Some individuals explain it happens to be amazing just observing creatures while one sits very nearly flush by way of one of those sea level marks! But that could still scare somebody that has zero adventure desire, by comparison with sailing somewhere very much safer like onboard those super sizable decks from what some people may know concerning one AML Grand Fleuve? Remember that although kayaking offers many wonderful and memorable adventures, clearly that will require getting fit sufficiently along with knowing what risks might appear even on such calming paddling type outings around Tadoussac’s shore line waters near that whale watching. Read our full review: L’Auberge de la Baie Kayaking Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (L’Auberge de la Baie)
