The Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park is part of Parks Canada’s network of national marine conservation areas. The marine park is home to one of the most beautiful diving sites in North America. Accessible from the Marine Environment Discovery Centre in Les Escoumins, Quebec, this site will amaze you.
The seabed is as colourful as in some southern seas. Bright pink in colour thanks to the presence of red algae that cover the rocks, are scattered throughout Green urchins, Frilled anemones, Northern Red Anemones, Scarlet Psolus and Purple Sun star….. A true rainbow of colours, right in the waters of the St. Lawrence River.
The pink in this image is Pink Rock Crust algae. In the middle, we can see a Brittle Star which is a kind of sea star. In addition, there are a few Green Sea Urchins. © Parks Canada / L. Falardeau
The Purple Sun star has between 7 and 14 arms. It eats other sea stars and sea cucumbers. © Parks Canada / L. Lussier
The white parts of the Frilled Anemones are hundreds of small tentacles which they use to capture plankton. © Parks Canada / L. Larocque
You won't believe your eyes!
Once on site, you can also sight on whales, stroll along cliffs and enjoy breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence.
Spying the whales! Here we can see the back of a Minke Whale of 8 m. long! © Parks Canada / M. Loiselle
Here are two Fin Whales. The biggest one is the mother and smallest is her calf. An adult can measure between 22 to 27 m. At birth the calf can measure around 6 m. and weigh 1.9 tonnes. © Parks Canada / D. Rosset
A group of Belugas swimming through the marine park. © Parks Canada / W. Lynch
Discover the treasures of the marine park at one of its three visitor sites:
- Marine Environment Discovery Centre in Les Escoumins
- Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre in Baie-Sainte-Catherine
- Cap de Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre in Bergeronnes
Open your eyes wide, enjoy a sea of activities and discover the thousands of secrets of the marine environment!
For more information: www.pc.gc.ca or www.parcmarin.qc.ca