Viral video of whale sighting in Canada makes waves internationally
A whale-watching trip off the coast of Quebec turned into an unforgettable moment when a massive whale suddenly leaped high into the air.
The incredible moment was captured by Elina Parent while aboard a Croisières AML whale-watching cruise in Tadoussac, Que. In the video, the whale launches itself out of the water before crashing back down, creating a massive splash as stunned spectators cheer and gasp.
Parent described the encounter of what appears to be a humpback whale as her “most beautiful memory from Canada” in an Instagram post that has picked up more than 150,000 likes and hundreds of comments.
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Audiences were stunned, leaving comments saying, “I wanna experience this once in my lifetime” and “it’s my dream to experience this!”
It was such a spectacular sight that the video is now making waves well beyond Canada. ABC 7 Chicago is among the international outlets that reposted the clip on its social media channels, introducing a wider audience to a pretty incredible Canadian wildlife moment.
“These are once in a lifetime moments! I have also gone whale watching in Tadoussac many times, and everyone screams and cheers! It’s magical and beautiful, and us humans marvel at the joy and wonder of nature,” one user commented on ABC’s video.
@abc7chicagoA whale stunned a group of watchers aboard a marine observation vessel, when it breached high above the water off the coast of Quebec. Footage here captured by Elina Parent in the St Lawrence River, off the coast of Tadoussac, shows the massive mammal launching itself out of the water, to the exclaim of onlookers. Whale watchers are heard cheering and gasping as the animal made an enormous splashdown into the water. Parent called the moment her “most beautiful memory from Canada”, in an Instagram post which garnered over 115,000 likes as of the time of writing.♬ original sound – abc7chicago
Daily Hive reached out to Parent for comment but had not heard back at the time of publication.
Whale watching in Canada
There are 35 species of whales found in Canada, including the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet. It’s no wonder whale watching is a popular activity for tourists and locals alike, but there’s a reason Tadoussac is such a sought-after spot for catching a glimpse of them.
Croisières AML runs whale-watching cruises from May to November in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, where visitors can potentially see up to 13 species, including fin and humpback whales, as well as seals and belugas.
The waters around Tadoussac are especially rich in krill, plankton, and fish, thanks to the meeting of different currents, creating an all-you-can-eat buffet for whales.
Three-hour whale-watching tours on the Croisières AML, which Parent went on, start at $134.99 per adult, making it a relatively affordable and incredibly memorable way to spend a day on the water.
Of course, Quebec isn’t the only place in Canada to see these majestic mammals.
The coastal waters off British Columbia are a prime place to spot humpback whales, orcas, and grey whales, while the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick and spots like Signal Hill and Cape Spear in Newfoundland and Labrador are popular for coming across humpbacks, fin whales, minke whales, and even belugas, seals, and dolphins.
If you’re planning on visiting any of these destinations this year in hopes of getting up close and personal with these creatures, just remember to keep your camera ready.