Whale Watching Below Cap-de-Bon-Désir, Québec

Belugas, Dolphins, Fin Whales and Stories of Lighthouse Keepers

Jul 7, 2009

The lighthouse on Cap-de-Bon-Désir east of Tadoussac is part of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and stands close to a beach where whales can be watched from land.

Only a few miles east of Tadoussac lies the Cap-de-Bon-Désir lighthouse not far from the place, where the Saguenay Fjord flows into the Saint Lawrence River. This marine environment is wellknown for being one of the best feeding grounds for whales, belugas and dolphins. The reason for this can be found in the water. The confluence of the two rivers causes an unusual phenomena: cold water rises to the surface and thus creates perfect conditions for the growth of a very rich biological variety of tiny marine organisms in this area which the large mammals of the sea come to feed on. Many different whale species migrate here during the summer months to indulge in the plentiful feeding options this region has to offer.

Just above a rocky shore area where belugas, dolphins and whales come to feed and rub their backs on the projecting rocks the lighthouse of Cap-de-Bon-Désir was erected. Visitors can learn more about the natural specifics of the area and also get an insight into the cultural background of the region and its fascinating history. The red and white painted lighthouse offers a beautiful view of the Saint Lawrence River that is quite wide here. The opposite shore is just a thin line on the horizon.

When fog is covering the shoreline a visit to the lighthouse is especially haunting. The foghorn on the lighthouse is repeating its continuous sounds to warn passing ships of the looming danger along the shore. The lighthouse can hardly be spotted through the dense fog and visitors can understand how important the muffled sounds of the foghorn are to the vessels out on the water that are warned to stay away from the dangerous rocks jutting out into the river.

Park rangers are telling stories of the lives of the lighthouse keepers and their families who have served their duty on this lonely spot an the northern banks of the Saint Lawrence River. In the exhibits visitors can learn more about the development of river navigation over time and they can see a functioning model of foghorn.

From the rocks jutting out into the river which can be reached on a short walk through a small forest below the lighthouse the chances are good to see whales closeup from the shore. Just above the rocks there is a small wooden building where park rangers inform interested visitors about the enormous variety of marine life in this area. Visitors can also venture out onto the rocks and look for a good vantage point from where they can observe belugas, blue or fin whales and dolphins that often tend to surface close to the rocks.

During the summer months park rangers offer guided tours and explain what can be seen on the shore line. Divers bring up those mysterious animals from the depths of the river which allows visitors to get a "hand-on" view of the natural phenomena of this maritime habitat.

The copyright of the article Whale Watching Below Cap-de-Bon-Désir, Québec in Quebec Travel is owned by Monika Fuchs. Permission to republish Whale Watching Below Cap-de-Bon-Désir, Québec in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.