DESTINATIONS WHALE WATCHING | CANADA
13 species of whale including beluga, minke, humpback, fin and blue, feasting on the plankton that naturally occurs here, where the freshwater Saguenay River meets the saltwater Saint Lawrence. Although you can see whales
from May until November, the peak season is late June to early September, when viewings are plentiful. It’s worth adding extra time
here to visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, with its informative on-site biologists, videos, sound recordings of whale song and kid-friendly games, plus a 12-metre skeleton of a sperm whale.
MANITOBA
Although you can see belugas elsewhere in Canada, there’s nowhere in the world quite like Churchill, Manitoba. It may be known as the polar bear capital of
the world but it could easily be the beluga capital too. The western coastline of Hudson Bay is home to some 57,000 belugas every summer between mid-June and mid-September. The whales here are so plentiful you can see them, gleaming white with their gun metal-grey calves, from the shoreline.
Although swimming and snorkelling with the whales is now outlawed, the Species at Risk Act takes into account the narrow Churchill and Seal River estuaries and allows a 50-metre minimum approach rather than the 100-metre rule for elsewhere in Canada. However, as the regulations are
to prevent humans approaching whales, not the other way around, curious belugas will eagerly approach idle boats, kayakers, paddleboarders or aqua-gliders to provide the ultimate sighting. TW
expert ASK THE
Denise Hunn, director of Canada tour operations, Prestige Holidays
“The law regarding whale-watching tours has changed due to concerns that the whale population should be protected, as vessels getting too close not only disturb but can seriously injure them too. All operators we work with abide by the new requirements and snorkelling with beluga whales, which used to be available in the Hudson Bay, is no longer allowed. The law changes haven’t had any effect on our bookings and there
are exceptional opportunities to see whales in a variety of areas including the Atlantic
Provinces, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia. Canada offers some of the best whale-watching excursions in the world.”
travelweekly.co.uk
22 AUGUST 2019
49
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