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Full-Day Whale Watching Cruise from Quebec City

star-4.5285 Reviews
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Quebec City, Canada
Full-Day Whale Watching Cruise from Quebec City
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Full-Day Whale Watching Cruise from Quebec City
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From $178.70

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icon11 hours  (approx.)
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iconOffered in: English and 1 more

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Overview

When visiting Quebec City, meet the world’s most fascinating and majestic creatures on a guided, full-day whale-watching cruise. Travel along the Saint Lawrence River to the town of Baie-Sainte-Catherine, then choose from two distinctly different boating experiences—a small, speedy zodiac or a large, 3-level observation vessel. Enjoy an exceptional view on your cruise in search of whales, seals, and belugas. Quebec City pickup/drop-off included.
  • Bus tour and whale-watching cruise from Quebec City
  • Beautiful scenery on the bus ride along the St. Lawrence River
  • Choose either a speedy zodiac or a large boat for whale-watching
  • Enjoy a cruise to spot whales, seals, and belugas
  • Certified naturalist-guide provides information on the wildlife
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From $178.70

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Air-conditioned vehicle
2.5-hour or 3-hour whale-watching cruise
Certified naturalist-captain
Guided panoramic bus tour
Gratuities
Food and drink
Pick-up and drop-off from home addresses / private residences / Air B&Bs.
Place d'Armes , Quebec City, QC G1R, Canada
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Place d'Armes, in front of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, in Old Québec.

9:00 AM
This activity will end right where it started.
Escape from the hustle of Quebec City and enjoy an exciting adventure on the water. This full-day whale-watching excursion begins with a pickup from several accommodations in Quebec City to Place D'Armes to meet the guide and the rest of the tour group. Hop aboard a deluxe motorcoach and travel along the Saint Lawrence River to the town of Baie-Sainte-Catherine, widely considered to be the main entrance to the most beautiful whale-watching site in the world.

Upon arrival, board either the tri-level AML Grand Fleuve observation boat or a much smaller, speedy zodiac for your whale watching adventure (option chosen at checkout). The AML Grand Fleuve is known as the best observation boat in Canada. With glassed-in panoramic decks, several terraces and an observation platform, the boat provides exceptional visibility. The upper deck is covered for protection from the sun and inclement weather. There’s even a bistro and gift shop. The Zodiac, on the other hand, provides a much closer experience with the whales and the various marine species of the St. Lawrence River. It’s smaller, speedier—a more intimate nature excursion. 

Both vessels depart from the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in the heart of the Saguenay-Saint Lawrence Marine Park and include an educational and entertaining narrative on this history and nature of this eastern Canadian region. 

At the end of the cruise, the voyage ends with a return trip to Quebec City and a drop-off.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Meals are not included. Passengers on the AML Grand Fleuve cruise may purchase food on board; passengers on the zodiac cruise are recommended to bring a lunch or snacks
  • Please dress warmly, as it can be quite cold on the river. An insulated jacket, hat, gloves and closed-toes shoes are highly recommended.
  • Minimum age is 6 years for the zodiac boat
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 650 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Croisieres AML
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Learn more about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "There are no formal eating areas at the site so it is best to bring food for the day." See review
  • "We saw lots of whales but of course boats are not allowed to go close ." See review
  • "Bus guide was excellent, road trip to the boat was also great." See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
285 Reviews
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17
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Reviews by Viator travelers

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Showing 1-10 of 285 reviews
star-4
Long drive but good whale watching
Karen_K
, Jun 2022
Long bus ride but whale watching was really good. We were concerned the cruise would get cut short but them they also showed us a beautiful waterfall, so boat ride was a good length
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star-5
Whale watching excursion!
Rick C
, Oct 2019
The whale watching trip was amazing! Yves, the bus driver/tour guide was funny and informative in both English and French. My husband and I decided to take the zodiac instead of the big boat and it was fantastic. Even though we got drenched, it didn't ruin our adventure. The guide on the boat was excited about the number of whales we saw. There were humpbacks, fins and minkes. The gear the tour provided kept us warm and we would have been wetter without it. My suggestion to others taking the zodiac is to dress warmly in layers and take dry clothes and shoes to change into after the tour. Would I do it again....hell yes!
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star-4
Nice tour
Roger L
, Oct 2019
We went on the whale watching tour yesterday. The 3 hour drive to the boats was absolutely amazing. We got to see beautiful forests in full on indian summer colors!! Also the boat that we were on was comfy and we got to see some whales and seals!!! It was literally breathtaking. A negative point was the fact that there were no safety belts in the bus which is totally dangerous as the bus was driving over 120km/h most of the time! Also my husband and I had a really hard time understanding the guide when he spoke english. I reckon that english was not his mother tongue.
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star-5
Wonderful Day
Compass119106
, Sep 2019
We saw Minka, Beluga and one Humpback! This was our 1st time actually seeing whales. No jumping in the air but they came close to big boat. Only thing i would say is they need not to let people stand on ladder as they block ease of going up and down.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-4
Amazing
jessica d
, Sep 2019
It's a long way from Quebec, but we highly recommend the whales watching because it's a unique experience.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Wonderful Opportunity!
Carla A
, Sep 2019
Even when we weren't in the midst of active whale feeding (which was a lot on our particular outing!) the cruise itself was very enjoyable. Comfortable boat, enough space for everyone to not feel crowded, and beautiful scenery!
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star-4
Zodiac Review
sumaiyanazhuq
, Aug 2019
The tour was excellent with lots of whale sightings - however, website never mentioned freezing water or to bring change of clothes for the tour. We ended up getting drenched and was freezing after. Something to consider if you are booking your trip.
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star-4
Day trip
Alison_O
, Aug 2019
Chaotic start. Took far too long to get people on bus. Finally left an hour after the said we would be picked up. This meant that the journey there left no time to look at the harbour as it was straight off the bus and into the boat and then straight off boat and into bus I return. The boat trip was good. We saw whales which was the whole point. Do take warm clothes !
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star-3
Not as advertised
Robert S
, Aug 2019
The cruise and whale watching was great but we were not prepared for a 3.5 hour bus strip to get there and another 3.5 hours to get back to Quebec City.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-4
A day well spent
SAURABH_D
, Aug 2019
The tour was organized nicely, from hotel pickup till drop. Yves was a delight as a coach driver and guide, hilarious in his commentary. Zodiac experience was great with some close sightings.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
whale watch
MARK_W
, Aug 2019
Great time worth the full day excursion. Family of 4 with 2 teenagers, we enjoyed being on the Zodiac which is a bit more adventurous, but fare warning we got very wet from the waves. They did provide you with good adequate foul weather gear. Saw multiple different whales including a humpback. Excellent guide who presented scenery/whales in 3 languages. The larger boat was dry with bar & bathrooms but we preferred the Zodiac. Perhaps different feeling if winter. Highly recommend.
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star-5
Don't miss the whale watching .it's amazing. But don't forget to book the zodiac instead of the bigger crowded boat.
ananddivya2019
, Aug 2019
Don't miss the whale watching . It's amazing but don't forget to book the zodiac instead of the overcrowded boat . The zodiac comes really close to the whales
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star-5
Awesome day of whale watching
LoveTravel681356
, Aug 2019
This was an excellent adventure with Yves as our bus tour guide. The zodiac is definitely the best way to see the whales. We were very happy with the entire experience!
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star-5
Fantastic whale watching trip!
Raphael B
, Jul 2019
Fantastic adventure for the family. All super well organized, we saw many many whales up close and personal. Zodiac definitely a must if you want the best. Bus guide was excellent, road trip to the boat was also great.
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star-5
Great day out with whales 🐳🐳🐳
Anas_G
, Jul 2019
We are really happy with this tour! We got to seen some humpback whales dive (which is quite rare), belugas, minkies and seals. The driver, Yves, was hilarious and an endless source of information about whales and the St Lawrence region. We really recommend it! One hiccup, please note that the pick up location is not the Frontenac hotel as it is mentioned on the page but rue Saint Louis. Thanks for this great day out!
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star-4
English Required
Tony_B
, Jul 2019
Only issue that we had was that our boat captain often forgot to give his commentary in English. Did see a lot of whales.
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star-4
Good
Aline_C
, Jul 2019
I enjoyed more the way in the bus than the Whale watching. In the bus, we driver was our guide, who explained about the Quebec history. Unfortunatelly, we couldn't see a lot of Whales and the guides there don't worry about our expectation of see them.
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star-4
AMAZING SIGHT
LYNNE_F
, Jul 2019
This 3 hour cruise is amazing. No guarantees to see any whales, but it seems most cruises do. Things they don't tell you, but you should know....the water in the St. Lawrence River at this location is only 4 degrees Celsius, so its very cool on the boat outside (I did the River Boat not the Zodiac) so bring a warm jacket! Head to the lower level upon entering if you are interested in food and drinks.
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star-1
Disappointing whale watch cruise
alliewitts
, Jul 2019
After a few organizational hiccups and a long wait for the boat, the cruise was good enough. Because we had the large boat we couldn’t get close to the whales. However the real disappointment was that AML allowed 5 separate school trips ie 5 large busses of school kids on the boat all at a reduced student group rate who then proceeded to ruin the trip for everyone else. The kids broke all safety rules with no adult intervention, took up all the bar space playing cards or sleeping on tables, they yelled and scared the whales, blocked gangways and ailes and pushed and shoved anyone in sight. They ruined the sailing experience. As we had to pay full price for our ride even though my son is still at school I thought this was shocking. I’d never recommend the company . I have photos as prof and will contact the company to complain
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star-5
Once in a lifetime experience
Ashley_V
, Jul 2019
Our bus driver and tour guide on the boat were both wonderful, very informative and helpful. We saw minke whales, belugas, fin whales, and seals. Great experience, would recommend to anyone visiting Quebec.
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