Dive into the heart of magnificently coloured gardens and discover animal life below the surface. The cold salt waters of the St. Lawrence estuary are home to a varied, impressive marine life.
Are you a diver interested in discovering the multi-coloured underwater landscapes of the St. Lawrence? The cold saline waters offer access to an often little-known yet abundant flora and fauna typical of the St. Lawrence estuary. Some sites allow for wonderful underwater dives, namely the Marine Environment Discovery Centre. Recognized as one of the most beautiful places in North America for underwater diving, the Marine Environment Discovery Centre, located in Les Escoumins, is home to a “must-do” dive base for scuba divers and free divers!
Did you know that it is prohibited to dive or swim within 200 m of a whale and within 400 m if it is an endangered species? The Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations sets the distances that are to be observed in the presence of whales.
You are privileged to be able to watch living organisms in their habitat and witness their natural behaviour. By adopting good practices when you dive in the marine park, you contribute to protection efforts. Your participation is vital!
What are some species that inhabit the underwater cliffs of the marine park?
Get informed on the diving conditions (tides, currents, etc.)
Your air bubbles should be the only traces left of your passage
Avoid diving when marine mammals are close to the diving site
Plan your dive and dive your plan
Get information from experienced divers, used to the diving conditions of the area
Be in control of your buoyancy and your equipment so as not to harm this fragile environment.
Don’t collect anything but great memories!
The deepest part of the Marine Park in the Saint-Lawrence estuary is 340 metres deep, which is the equivalent of the height of the Eiffel tower
In order to go underwater diving in Quebec, you must hold a Quebec diving certification card.
*Get informed with the FQAS prior to your travel so as to get the necessary certifications.
When standard precautions are taken, underwater diving is a safe activity. We suggest that when planning your dive, you request information from the Fédération québécoise des activités subaquatiques (FQAS).