Major city · Canada
Tadoussac
Go for 1–2 nights in Jun–Sep for whales; skip as a winter base — most boats, inns and restaurants close Oct–May.
Tadoussac is a village of about 800 people on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, where the Saguenay fjord meets the river. It is the oldest surviving French settlement in North America and the main whale-watching base in eastern Canada. The village is walkable end to end; you come for the water, not the town.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (boats and most services closed; cold, snow, ice)
- Airports
- YQB · YYY
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Tadoussac911 ▾
- 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 Tadoussac, 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.
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 Québec City Jean Lesage (About 3 h 30 min by road via Route 138 and the free Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry…
- Getting aroundWalk.
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)
- BeerCraft beer at the microbreweryC$8–12 (≈ US$6–9)
- Museum or sight ticketMarine Mammal Interpretation Centre entrycheck
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedInn or motel double room, a night, per roomC$210 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedInn or motel double room, a night, per roomC$380 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$170 (≈ US$130) · High C$320 (≈ 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 Québec City Jean Lesage (About 3 h 30 min by road via Route 138 and the free Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry; no direct bus link to the village from the airport) · YYY Mont-Joli (Small regional airport; long drive west, check car hire before booking)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Feb
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Mar
Avoid
−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
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°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
Tadoussac: 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)
11 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
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Oct
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
13 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°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
Walk. The village is about 1.5 km across and everything in the centre is reachable on foot in 10–15 min. A car is only useful for the dunes, Mont Adéla-Lessard and the Route 138 stops toward Baie-Sainte-Catherine. The Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry across the Saguenay is free and runs year round; it is the road link to the rest of the north shore.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Baie-Sainte-Catherine and the Saguenay ferry
goDoor to door: About 15 min crossing
Free ferry from the Tadoussac landing, continuous, year round
The ferry itself is the cheapest fjord view you will get; walk on and back if you have no car.
Sacré-Coeur and the Anse de Roche marina
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car west on Route 172, about 20–25 min
No bus; the road crosses parkland with no services and patchy signal.
Les Escoumins and Cap de Bon-Désir
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car east on Route 138, about 30–40 min
Shore-based whale watching and the Pointe aux Vaches flats at low tide.
Forestville
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min by car
Intercar bus toward Baie-Comeau, or car east on Route 138
Bus runs once daily; check the timetable before you plan around it.
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.
Rue des Pionniers / village centre
Inns, restaurants and the tourist office within a 5-min walk; best for a short stay without a car.
Rue du Bateau-Passeur
Hostel and several inns, 5–10 min walk to the beach and whale docks.
Bord-de-l'Eau / marina
Waterfront rooms and the marina bar; closest to the boats, noisier in high season.
Route 138 / ferry side
Motels near the ferry landing; you need a car or a 15–20 min walk into the village.
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$90–150 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–260 (≈ US$110–190) excl. bed
- High
- C$260 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or motel double room1 × 2 nights × C$210 | C$420 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$170 | C$680 |
| Whale-watching trip, adult2 × C$75 · check | C$150 |
| Sea-kayak half day with guide2 × C$90 · check | C$180 |
| Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry, car and passengers1 × C$0 · Free, year round | C$0 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$148 |
| Trip total≈ C$407 per person per day, bed included | C$1,628≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; long-distance travel to Tadoussac excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Poutine or fast-food plate | C$12–18 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Restaurant main, seafood | C$25–45 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Craft beer at the microbrewery | C$8–12 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Whale-watching trip, adult | C$58–99 (≈ US$45–75) (check) |
| Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre entry | check |
| Marina docking, per foot per day | C$1.66 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Whale season is roughly May–Sep; outside it most operators and restaurants shut. Check dates before booking a shoulder-season trip.
- Book whale trips and rooms weeks ahead for Jul–Aug and the mid-Jun song festival; the village has few beds for its summer demand.
- Cell coverage is patchy on Route 172 and Route 138 through the parkland west and east of the village; download offline maps.
- Zodiac boats have no toilets and restrictive cancellation policies; ask before you pay.
- The St. Lawrence here is cold year round and the wind on the water is strong; bring a windproof layer even in July.
- Tipping is expected: 15–20% at restaurants, 10–15% for taxis.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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TadoussacTadoussac
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Tadoussac. The US consulate general is in Montréal; most other countries keep embassies in Ottawa and consulates in Montréal or Québec City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tadoussac → Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry: free, continuous, year round, about 15 min (check)
- Intercar Tadoussac → Québec City: about C$70–90 (≈ US$55–70), roughly 4 h (check)
- Whale-watching trip, adult: C$58–99 (≈ US$45–75) depending on boat and duration (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est le traversier ? — Where is the ferry? (oo ay luh tra-ver-SYAY)
- Je voudrais réserver une sortie aux baleines — I would like to book a whale trip (zhuh voo-DREH ray-zer-VAY oon sor-TEE oh ba-LEN)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
French is the everyday language here; English is widely understood in tourism businesses.
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 Tadoussac. 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 · avoid Nov–Apr (boats and most services closed; cold, snow, ice) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YQB: last Intercar departure field-checked, car-hire fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, Bord-de-l'Eau and marina, Pointe Rouge, Route 138 and the ferry.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, Chapelle de Tadoussac, dunes belvedere) and eat pages with last orders.
- Whale-operator comparison fixture: boat type, duration, adult fare, cancellation terms.
Sources
- officialTadoussac official tourism site
- officialTraversiers — Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry
- officialIntercar — Québec bus routes
- officialGREMM — Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre
- officialChapelle de Tadoussac
- officialMarina de Tadoussac
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tadoussac, revision 5296426 (CC BY-SA 4.0)