While every whale sighting is memorable and unique in its own way, each team member has a special crush on one whale in particular. Here are some of the whales that hold a special place in our hearts!
Simon and Guadeloupe
Since 2019, Guadeloupe has been a regular visitor to the St. Lawrence Estuary. Recognizable by its mostly white tail, it left the warm waters of Guadeloupe to come feed in our Quebec waters, a choice that distinguishes it from other humpback whales that spend the winter in Guadeloupe and usually migrate to the cold waters of Iceland and Norway.
It was Guadeloupe's exceptional dynamism that immediately appealed to Simon. With its chest thumps, leaps into the air, and contagious energy, Guadeloupe often gave him a real treat!
Robin and the Mysterious Whale
In 2021, Robin had the chance to encounter a whale that has not been seen in our area since. When it breached the air next to his boat, something particularly captivated him: its coloration was reminiscent of killer whales, a species Robin is particularly fond of and is lucky enough to encounter in the cold waters of Norway when he's not on the St. Lawrence. Thanks to our friend and photographer Renaud Pintiaux, we were able to capture images of this unique encounter.
Alice and Cocotte
Cocotte, also known as Irisept, has been a fixture in the estuary since 1997. Cocotte is a huge, imposing, and majestic humpback whale. In 2017, she moved the river community by returning to the Gaspé Peninsula in the spring accompanied by a calf, revealing her tender maternal nature. Alice is particularly fond of Cocotte for her imposing stature, her loyalty to the estuary, and her maternal qualities. Alice named her camping trailer “Cocotte la Roulotte,” a friendly tribute to this remarkable whale.
Julie and Gaspar
Gaspar won Julie's first place in her heart in 2021, when she arrived in the estuary with her very active calf. She was lucky enough to see these two whales slapping their pectoral fins on the water's surface: Gaspar's immense pectoral and her calf's, which looked tiny next to it! Gaspar is often seen with Cocotte, and Julie finds it deeply touching that whales can develop what resembles social affinities.
These majestic whales continue to enrich our experiences and strengthen our passion for preserving marine life in the estuary of our beloved St. Lawrence River. Every encounter with a whale is a humbling experience and a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural environment.
For more information about our cruises, click here.
Thanks to Renaud Pintiaux for the photos.
