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Where to watch whales in Canada?
General information depending on the month
If we had to generalize and give a period for whale watching in Canada, the months of April to October would probably be the months when the chances of seeing them would be the greatest. However, it should be noted that the location will also depend on the species you want to see.
Killer whales are most visible in summer and fall, from May to September. Humpback whales circulate extensively in the Pacific and Atlantic in late spring and late fall. Gray whales often stay off Vancouver in the spring. As for minke whales, they hang out in Canadian waters all year round.
blue whales
The blue whale or Balænoptera musculus is the largest living animal on the planet. It is an unsociable species and stays away from humans most of the time. They gravitate around Canada throughout the year.
During the warm months, they are in the Atlantic and are most often visible south towards Davis Strait or on the south coast of Newfoundland. We can also meet them in full migration in the Pacific, but this type of encounter remains quite rare.
Although they hang out in the Pacific and the Atlantic, it is north of the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence or on the east coast of Nova Scotia that the chances of seeing them are greatest. They can sometimes be seen during whale watching excursions in Quebec.
killer whales
These social animals travel in groups or with groups of dolphins. They are also more related to the latter than to whales.
Canadian waters are home to transient and other resident killer whales. Both groups are found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in summer and fall. Resident species can be seen in British Columbia waters throughout the year. One of the best places to see them from land is at Johnstone Strait on the west coast of Canada in British Columbia. This area is on northern Vancouver Island.
minke whales
Minke whales are easily confused with killer whales: their dorsal fins are indeed very similar. However, they can be differentiated by the time they spend under water. Minke whales generally spend more time below the surface than killer whales. Although it is a fairly shy species, it is also one of the most frequently seen in Canadian waters.
Like many marine species, you'll have the best chance of spotting them by taking the boat on a tour organized specifically for whale watching. Minke whales are seen year-round in Newfoundland waters.
Belugas
The beluga - the one who is white in Russian - is recognizable by its melon-shaped head and its white color. This highly sociable species of toothed whale lives year-round in the St. Lawrence. They are also often seen in Tadoussac and in the Atlantic region, especially in the Arctic Sea, in Hudson Bay and in the Saguenay Estuary throughout the year.
pilot whales
Pilot whales (Globicephala melas) are also known as pilot whales. This species of cetacean resembles the beluga, but its dress is black. Closer to dolphins than whales, they are very sociable animals. They are most commonly encountered in Atlantic waters in summer and early fall. The long-finned pilot whale species inhabit the coldest waters of Canada.
The Dolphins
You can spot Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) on almost all coasts of the country. White-sided dolphins are also seen off the coast of Vancouver, usually swimming alongside pods of killer whales. Several species of dolphins can be seen in the Atlantic and Pacific throughout the year. However, to be sure to see some, bet on late spring, summer and early fall.
humpback whales
The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is also called a humpback whale in French-speaking Canada. This species is known for its spectacular leaps out of water and for its beautiful courtship songs. She is recognizable by her black and white tail. They reach the St. Lawrence and the North Atlantic every spring. Snorkeling with humpback whales is prohibited in Canada, although it is permitted in other countries.
Whale watching: depending on the region
The Vancouver area is one of the best places to watch whales. This is, for example, Vancouver Island in the Pacific Ocean. Going on a kayak trip to the west often allows you to see killer whales, one of the biggest predators of this ocean. You can also see humpback whales by joining an excursion from the waters of Granville Island to the city of Vancouver.
British Columbia is also a region where you can spot whales. A 3-hour tour from Victoria to the Salish Sea is guaranteed to spot killer whales or humpback whales.
The St. Lawrence River estuary is located in the Atlantic region of Quebec. It is full of krill and attracts hordes of minke whales, belugas and blue whales. You can also book an excursion departing from Montreal, specifically to see blue whales, humpback whales and
than other species. A 2-day excursion to Sainte-Catherine Bay allows you to reach a privileged observation spot for belugas and blue whales. Also, the crossing of the Saint-Laurent and Saguenay rivers at Tadoussac attracts colonies of belugas all year round. It is also possible to see humpback whales there.
If you are visiting Newfoundland at the right time, you may be lucky enough to come across humpback whales or dolphins. From May to September, it is also possible to spot killer whales, sperm whales and blue whales in the Atlantic.
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Les baleines ????
By: Bourion On 01/03/2024Bonjour
Je voulais savoir si au mois d'avril il est toujours possible de voir des baleines car mes enfants me paye ce voyage ????????????
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