There is no doubt Whale-watching off PEI and I can't answer for that, but if you'd like to see Belugas as well as other species, the St-Lawrence river and the Saguenay fjord are the only places you can go South of the Artic circle.
1) Quick version : Take a cruise from Riviere-du-Loup.
Advantages: Near Supercharger, less than a 10 km detour from the most direct route to PEI. With their sonar and experience, the boats have a high success rate of finding Fin and Humpback whales. You will also see the odd Minke and Beluga whale. If you're lucky, a blue whale will be in the area.
Disadvantages: RDL is a bit farther from where most of the whales congregate than the North-shore towns that also offer cruises (Baie-Ste-Catherine, Tadoussac, Les Escoumins.) So, the boat will probably spend more time in transit and less time near whales. Also. the cruises are $$$.
2) Long version. Plan to spend a least a night in the Tadoussac area.
Leave Quebec City early in the Morning. Have an early lunch at the hotel Petit Manoir du Casino in La Malbaie while the car tops up on the 19 kW (80A, 240V) wall connector. Arrive in Tadoussac and in the afternoon visit the Quebec provincial park (SEPAQ) of the Fjord. Sector Baie Ste-Marguerite about 25 km North of Tadoussac. There's a 6 km round-trip hike leading to an observation point where you'il see a pod of Belugas about 60% of the time. You can extend to a 10 km hike if you'd like to see more of the Fjord. (Always a great view, unless there's bad weather). $8.75 per adult. Under 18 free.
In the evening, take the 1 km trail around the cape in Tadoussac. You will usually see one or two minke whales feeding close offshore. Sometimes seals and Belugas as well. There is a solitary 7.2 kW charging station in Tadoussac.
The following morning, take the 25 km drive to the small Federal park (free for 2017) at Cap-du-bon-desir. There's a small interpretation center and a 500m trail leading to a rocky area where you can often see whales offshore. Binoculars are recommended for the chance to observe the larger species, but the minke whales come close enough to see with the naked eye.
Advantages: Optimum whale-watching. The above activities are low-cost.
Disadvantage: Travel time. Quebec route 138 is single-lane and can get congested in the Summer. Getting back on route to PEI is tricky since reservations for the ferry are recommended. St-Simeon to RDL is $19 per adult, but no extra charge for electric cars for Quebec residents. Unfortunately they will probably charge $49 for an Ontario EV. The way the law is written only cars with green EV plates issued by QC are exempt. However, it's possible, but no guarantee, that the clerk will accept a green Ontario tag.
1) Quick version : Take a cruise from Riviere-du-Loup.
Advantages: Near Supercharger, less than a 10 km detour from the most direct route to PEI. With their sonar and experience, the boats have a high success rate of finding Fin and Humpback whales. You will also see the odd Minke and Beluga whale. If you're lucky, a blue whale will be in the area.
Disadvantages: RDL is a bit farther from where most of the whales congregate than the North-shore towns that also offer cruises (Baie-Ste-Catherine, Tadoussac, Les Escoumins.) So, the boat will probably spend more time in transit and less time near whales. Also. the cruises are $$$.
2) Long version. Plan to spend a least a night in the Tadoussac area.
Leave Quebec City early in the Morning. Have an early lunch at the hotel Petit Manoir du Casino in La Malbaie while the car tops up on the 19 kW (80A, 240V) wall connector. Arrive in Tadoussac and in the afternoon visit the Quebec provincial park (SEPAQ) of the Fjord. Sector Baie Ste-Marguerite about 25 km North of Tadoussac. There's a 6 km round-trip hike leading to an observation point where you'il see a pod of Belugas about 60% of the time. You can extend to a 10 km hike if you'd like to see more of the Fjord. (Always a great view, unless there's bad weather). $8.75 per adult. Under 18 free.
In the evening, take the 1 km trail around the cape in Tadoussac. You will usually see one or two minke whales feeding close offshore. Sometimes seals and Belugas as well. There is a solitary 7.2 kW charging station in Tadoussac.
The following morning, take the 25 km drive to the small Federal park (free for 2017) at Cap-du-bon-desir. There's a small interpretation center and a 500m trail leading to a rocky area where you can often see whales offshore. Binoculars are recommended for the chance to observe the larger species, but the minke whales come close enough to see with the naked eye.
Advantages: Optimum whale-watching. The above activities are low-cost.
Disadvantage: Travel time. Quebec route 138 is single-lane and can get congested in the Summer. Getting back on route to PEI is tricky since reservations for the ferry are recommended. St-Simeon to RDL is $19 per adult, but no extra charge for electric cars for Quebec residents. Unfortunately they will probably charge $49 for an Ontario EV. The way the law is written only cars with green EV plates issued by QC are exempt. However, it's possible, but no guarantee, that the clerk will accept a green Ontario tag.
