Major city · Canada
Baie-Sainte-Catherine
Sleep 1 night here only if you want the free Tadoussac ferry and a quieter bed; otherwise base in Tadoussac and cross for the day.
Baie-Sainte-Catherine is a 200-person village at the mouth of the Saguenay, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, in the Charlevoix region of Quebec. It is the south landing of the free Tadoussac ferry and a whale-watching departure point, with the Pointe-Noire belvedere looking over the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Most travellers pass through in under an hour; a night here buys cheaper beds than Tadoussac and the same whales.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun-Sep for whales and open services; Feb-Mar for snowmobile trails
- avoid Nov-Apr (most services and cruises closed, ice and snow)
- Airports
- YQB · YYY
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Baie-Sainte-Catherine911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Baie-Sainte-Catherine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a village of about 200 people; the real risks are cold water, fast currents at the Saguenay mouth…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYQB Quebec City Jean Lesage (About 208 km (129 mi) by route 138, roughly 2 h 40 min by car; the nearest practical gateway.).YQB Quebec City Jean Lesage (About 129 mi (208 km) by route 138, roughly 2 h 40 min by car; the nearest practical gateway.).
- Getting aroundThe village is a strip along route 138 and route de la Grande-Alliance; most beds, the wharf and the ferry landing are within a 15-20 min walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3-5 (≈ US$3–4)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseC$20-35 (≈ US$15–30)
- Street or quick mealSandwich or poutineC$10-18 (≈ US$8–14)
- Beerdraught in a barC$7-10 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20-40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch (2 adults, no services), a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedGite or B&B double, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedGite or B&B double, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YQB Quebec City Jean Lesage (About 208 km (129 mi) by route 138, roughly 2 h 40 min by car; the nearest practical gateway.) · YYY Mont-Joli (Small regional airport east along the St. Lawrence; check seasonal links.)YQB Quebec City Jean Lesage (About 129 mi (208 km) by route 138, roughly 2 h 40 min by car; the nearest practical gateway.) · YYY Mont-Joli (Small regional airport east along the St. Lawrence; check seasonal links.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Feb
Care
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Mar
Care
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Apr
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
May
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Mixed: Feb–Mar. Avoid: Apr, Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Baie-Sainte-Catherine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
12 rd
Feb
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
10 rd
Mar
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
10 rd
Apr
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
12 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is a strip along route 138 and route de la Grande-Alliance; most beds, the wharf and the ferry landing are within a 15-20 min walk. A car is the practical way to reach Pointe-Noire, the campground and the parks. Intercar buses stop at Restaurant Le Vacancier, 329 route 138.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tadoussac
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Free Traversiers ferry from the Baie-Sainte-Catherine landing, about 10 min crossing
Runs year-round; the crossing is the cheapest way to see the fjord mouth.
Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre
goDoor to door: About 20 min by car
Drive or walk west along route 138 to the belvedere
Closed for the winter season; binoculars for whales, seals and seabirds.
Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park
goDoor to door: 1-1.5 h
Route 138 west, then route 170 toward the fjord trailheads
Hiking and viewpoints on both sides of the Saguenay; a full day.
La Malbaie
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Route 138 west along the Charlevoix coast
Restaurants, golf and services; pairs with Baie-Saint-Paul.
Baie-Saint-Paul
goDoor to door: 1.5-2 h
Route 138 west, or Intercar bus toward Quebec City
Art galleries and food; a good overnight stop on the way to Quebec City.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Route 138 / Grande-Alliance strip
Motels, gites and the restaurant cluster; walkable to the wharf and ferry.
Saint-Firmin sector (rue Leclerc)
Church, gites and bay views; 5-10 min walk from the strip.
Camping et Ranch du Fjord
604 route de la Grande Alliance, about 5 min by road from the ferry; 55 pitches.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90-140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150-230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Gite or B&B double1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Whale-watching cruise, per person2 × C$110 · check | C$220 |
| Tadoussac ferry, car and passengers1 × C$0 · Free crossing | C$0 |
| Intercar bus, Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine2 × C$60 · check | C$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$87 |
| Trip total≈ C$479 per person per day, bed included | C$957≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; prices before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3-5 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Sandwich or poutine | C$10-18 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Restaurant main course | C$20-35 (≈ US$15–30) |
| Beer, draught in a bar | C$7-10 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Whale-watching cruisecheck | C$75-150 (≈ US$55–110) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20-40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Almost everything closes outside summer; check opening dates before booking a winter night.
- The Pointe-Noire interpretation centre closes for the winter season.
- Whale cruises run on fixed departures: book ahead in Jul-Aug or you may not get a seat.
- Cell coverage is fine in the village but patchy on the trails and the fjord.
- Route 138 is a two-lane highway with moose and deer at dusk: drive slowly after dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Baie-Sainte-CatherineBaie-Sainte-Catherine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A cette adresse, s'il vous plaitTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; the US consulate general is in Quebec City, and most countries keep embassies in Ottawa or Montreal.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tadoussac-Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry: free, about 10 min crossing (check)
- Whale-watching cruise from the wharf: C$75-150 (≈ US$55–110) per person (check)
- Intercar Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine: about C$45-75 (≈ US$35–55) one way (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ca coute ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa koot)
- Ou est le traversier ? — Where is the ferry? (oo ay luh tra-vair-SYAY)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par kart)
- Ou sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
French is the everyday language; a bonjour before a question goes a long way.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Baie-Sainte-Catherine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun-Sep for whales and open services; Feb-Mar for snowmobile trails · avoid Nov-Apr (most services and cruises closed, ice and snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry and cruise contract: crossing times, last departure, whale-cruise cutoffs.
- Walking clusters: route 138 strip, Saint-Firmin, the wharf and Pointe-Noire.
- Place pages for Pointe-Noire, the wharf and the Saint-Firmin church with verified seasonal hours.
- Winter fixtures for snowmobile and closed-service days.
Sources
- officialMunicipality of Baie-Sainte-Catherine
- officialTraversiers - Tadoussac-Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry
- officialPointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre
- officialSaguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park
- officialCroisieres AML
- officialIntercar
- secondaryWikivoyage: Baie-Sainte-Catherine, revision 5247754 (CC BY-SA 4.0)