Weather forecasts Tides Visitor's guide

DIVING AND SNORKELING

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.

DIVING IN THE HEART OF A MARINE PROTECTED AREA

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!

Respect the marine environment… Look but don’t touch!

WHETHER YOU’RE UNDERWATER OR AT THE SURFACE…

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.

Underwater diving in the marine park

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?

Protect marine life and ensure your safety

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!

DID YOU KNOW?

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

4°C 

TEMPERATURE

in the lower estuary

1°C 

TEMPERATURE

in the Fjord

Diving in Quebec*

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.

Plan your dive

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).

 

MORE INFO

You would like to practice snorkeling but you don’t have the necessary equipment? Come and swim with the polar stars by participating in the Nordic snorkeling activity, offered at the Marine Environment Discovery Centre. For more information on the Centre, click here.

LATER ….. IT FEELS GOOD TO GET OUR FEET BACK ON THE GROUND!

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