"Autumn is the best time to visit the region because, while belugas reside in the St Lawrence, rorquals start arriving in the spring. So it is in September-October that we see them the most. This matches up with the migration of birds, the river acting as a wind corridor which brings them towards the South. At this time, visibility is often exceptional as the white sheet of summer humidity eases and the leaves take on an orange tone, which adds a romantic touch. The whales mainly stay close to the north shore, which is much deeper than the south shore. They do not venture beyond Tadoussac, one of my favourite places, both for the authenticity of the village and for its position as the ‘epicentre’ for cetaceans. The shoals rise offshore, creating an upwelling, bringing water from depths of 300 to 20 metres. With each tide, nutrients emerge at the surface and, thanks to photosynthesis, are transformed into phytoplankton, the basis of the marine food chain. You can see blue whales, fin whales, minke whales, humpback whales and porpoises, as well as up to 200 seals and seabirds! Biodiversity is very rich here, concentrated in an area just a few kilometres wide. I spend a lot of time scanning the horizon for signs, including underwater bubbles, a blow on the surface... Watching and observing the behaviour of whales is magical and my aim is to share what drives me with the guests." Since a life-changing encounter with beluga whales while kayaking, Olivia Capeillère has devoted herself to the cetaceans of the St Lawrence. As a guide trained as a naturalist specialising in marine mammals in Tadoussac, she now shares her passion with PONANT guests. 38Through the eyes of Olivia Capeillère Aquatic rhapsody: the St Lawrence cetaceans
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