Belugas and seals at Port-au-Persil / Saint-Siméon

Whale watching is often associated with Tadoussac and its large cruises. But for those staying in Charlevoix, there is a closer, more intimate, and equally fascinating option: the belugas and seals observable from Port-au-Persil and Saint-Siméon.

Shoreside observation

The St. Lawrence at this latitude is already a salt estuary where marine life thrives. Belugas — those iconic small white whales of the St. Lawrence — regularly frequent the waters between Port-au-Persil and Saint-Siméon. With a good pair of binoculars and a little patience, it is possible to spot them from shore without ever boarding a boat.

Harbour seals are more predictable: they bask on rocks exposed at low tide and offer a spectacle that children find particularly delightful.

A close-by option

The chalet Le Littoral is in Cap-à-l'Aigle, La Malbaie, Charlevoix, which puts Port-au-Persil about twenty minutes away and Saint-Siméon about twenty-five. This is an outing manageable in an hour or two, without the logistics of a full day. Ideal for a quiet morning or a late afternoon before heading back to prepare dinner.

Check with local outfitters for boat departures by season. And for a more complete immersion in St. Lawrence marine life, whale-watching cruises from Baie-Sainte-Catherine offer the offshore experience with up to thirteen observable species.

Combining pleasures

Beluga watching combines naturally with a visit to the Port-au-Persil wharf and the McLaren Chapel. Three stops in one outing, twenty minutes from the property, for an evening that blends nature, heritage, and contemplation. To plan the rest of your stay, see our guide to things to do in Charlevoix.