Québec

Whale Tales: Adventures in Québec With Your Grandchild

Program No. 5455RJ
See feeding whales, visit giant sand dunes, embark on a marine safari and hear the story of local First Nations people as you explore the St. Lawrence River region with your grandchild.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

The humpback, beluga, minke and blue whales that swim through the cool waters of Québec may be some of the largest creatures on the planet, but did you know these gentle giants spend their days snacking on two-inch crustaceans called krill? Learn these whale tales and more as you study whalelore in Québec with your grandchild. Along the shores of charming French Canadian rural towns, observe whale species in their feeding grounds on marine safaris and from the shore. Run and play on the sand dunes on the St. Lawrence River, cool down in the spray of a gigantic water fall and make your own pottery just like aboriginal people did thousands of years ago.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walks up to one mile; boarding and disembarking boats.

What You'll Learn

  • Search for whales on two whale-watching safaris in one of the largest marine protected areas in Canada.
  • Learn all about these fascinating creatures at the Whale Museum and Beluga Interpretation Center.
  • Run, jump, roll and slide down sand dunes descending 200 feet to the shore.

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 9-12.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Benny Beattie
Benny Beattie was born in Montreal, Québec. He holds a BA and MA from Concordia University, a teaching diploma from McGill University, and a License from the University of Montreal. Benny lived in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1960-1964 where he studied, traveled, and worked in a refugee camp in Lager Wagna, Austria. He taught history and French at Lindsay Place High School in Pointe Claire, Québec, from 1965 to 1997. He has written two books, “Tadoussac – The Sands of Summer” and “A Visitors Guide to Tadoussac.”

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Benny Beattie
Benny Beattie View biography
Benny Beattie was born in Montreal, Québec. He holds a BA and MA from Concordia University, a teaching diploma from McGill University, and a License from the University of Montreal. Benny lived in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1960-1964 where he studied, traveled, and worked in a refugee camp in Lager Wagna, Austria. He taught history and French at Lindsay Place High School in Pointe Claire, Québec, from 1965 to 1997. He has written two books, “Tadoussac – The Sands of Summer” and “A Visitors Guide to Tadoussac.”
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Print All
Map details are not available for this location.
7 days
6 nights
16 meals
6 B 5 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Quebec City, Québec
D
Hôtel Manoir Victoria

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may be changed due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Tadoussac in the morning.

DAY
2
Quebec Aquarium, To Tadoussac
Tadoussac, Quebec
B,L,D
Hotel Tadoussac

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving nearly 300 miles throughout the day, approximately 4 hours total riding time; about 60 miles, approximately 1.5 hours to Baie-Saint-Paul in the morning, and about 134 miles, approximately 2.5 hours to Tadoussac in the afternoon. Walking and standing for approximately 1.5 hours during the aquarium visit.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: At the hotel, we will learn about the environmental history of the St. Lawrence River and the impact humans have had on the ecological health of the river. We will then check out of the hotel and ride via motorcoach to the Quebec City Aquarium. Come and meet the 10,000 marine animals that inhabit the Aquarium: fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and sea mammals. Among them, polar bear, walruses, and seals will provide you with unique moments. Watch them when they're feeding or being trained. A fascinating experience for young and old alike! This huge site (16 hectares) has superbly laid out areas indoors and outdoors.

Lunch: We will board the motorcoach and depart for Tadoussac, with a stop for lunch en route.

Afternoon: Arriving in Tadoussac late afternoon, we will check in at the hotel with about an hour before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Whale Safari, Innu Presentation
Tadoussac, Quebec
B,L,D
Hotel Tadoussac

Activity note: Walking 1.5 miles over 2 hours with periods of standing. Whale watching will be aboard the Grand Fleuve or the Zephyr, which offer its passengers the best view of the whales. With glassed-in panoramic decks, terraces and observation platforms, these boats provide unparalleled visibility and passionate naturalist-guides. Cruising about 4 miles over three hours on board a whale watching boat.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will embark on a whale watching safari with an experienced naturalist to see Fin, Minke, and Beluga whales, perhaps humpback and blue whales as well. The Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence form a kingdom for whales. They are like an open-air laboratory for biologists fascinated by these giants. Since the beginning of the 1980s, the St. Lawrence has also become an incomparable destination for those wishing to attempt an encounter with whales. For it is here where the upwelling phenomena supplies vast clouds of krill and small fish that attract so many whales.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: From the perspective of the Innu people whose ancestral territory, the Nitassinan, extends from the coasts of Labrador to the St-Maurice River, we will learn about the arrival of Europeans into North America. The Innu, along with the Beothuks of Newfoundland, the Mikmaws of Chaleur Bay and the Iroquoians of the St. Lawrence, were the first to come in contact and establish relations with the French explorers who took possession of the land in the name of Kings Francois 1er and Henri IV and called the region ‘New France’. In this presentation by our local expert, we will hear how this story continues on to this day. After the presentation, we will walk to the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord behind the wharf with our Group Leader.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Cap-de-Bon-Désir, Marine Centre, Archéo Topo
Tadoussac, Quebec
B,L
Hotel Tadoussac

Activity note: Walking about 2 miles, approximately 4 hours with periods of standing. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 40 miles roundtrip, approximately 1 hour total driving time.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning at the marine park, a local expert will tell us the story of a lighthouse keeper and his family who lived at the lighthouse. Before heading to the shore by bus, we will learn how to differentiate between whales you might see there. Cap-de-Bon-Désir is an excellent place from which to admire the St. Lawrence Estuary and the many species of marine mammals, including minke, common and blue whales, belugas and many species of seals and seabirds.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: At the Marine Environment Discovery Centre learn about the marine environment, tides, currents, fish and animals. This is also a wonderful spot to whale watch from the shore. Our final stop is Archéo Topo at Bergeronnes, grandchildren will make pottery just as the aboriginal peoples did thousands of years ago. There is an interesting collection of local stuffed animals, birds and fish.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Marine Mammal Museum, Whale Safari, Sand Dunes
Tadoussac, Quebec
B,L,D
Hotel Tadoussac

Activity note: Walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour. The whale watching is aboard the Grand Fleuve or the Zephyr, which offer its passengers the best view of the whales. With glassed-in panoramic decks, terraces and observation platforms, these boats provide unparalleled visibility and passionate naturalists. Cruising over 3 hours, approximately 40 miles on board a whale watching boat. Climbing up and down giant sand dunes.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will walk to the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (or CIMM, abbreviated from the original Quebec French) to hear about the role and activity of the Whale Research Station. We will discover the fascinating and mysterious world of the St-Lawrence whales with our museum specialists. Where can one see them? How to recognize them? The museum’s exhibitions, skeleton collection and reconstitutions of sea mammals, films and slideshows are not to be missed. We will listen to the underwater sounds of the Saguenay River; see spectacular images and reproductions of whales, and much more.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: From the marina, we’ll embark on a second whale watching safari to see Fin, Minke and Beluga whales, perhaps humpback and blue whales. The Estuary of the St. Lawrence forms a kingdom for whales. They are like an open air laboratory for biologists fascinated by these giants. Since the beginning of the 1980s, the St. Lawrence has also become an incomparable destination for those wishing to attempt an encounter with whales. The onboard museum will also give you more insight on these magnificent creatures of the sea. Next, we’ll travel to the sand dunes where we can run, jump, roll, slide, and somersault down the sand dunes descending 200 feet to the shore. This is a highlight for the grandchildren.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Quebec City in the morning.

DAY
6
Point-Noire, Montmorency
Quebec City, Québec
B,L,D
Hôtel Manoir Victoria

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 140 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time throughout the day. Walking approximately 1.5 miles over 3 hours with periods of standing.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel and board the motorcoach for Quebec City. We’ll stop at Pointe-Noire for an impressive panoramic view of the Saguenay fjord and the St. Lawrence Estuary. From its strategic geographic location, you will be able to observe whales and other marine mammals, as well as other oceanic phenomena indigenous to the confluence of the Saguenay and St. Lawrence rivers.

Lunch: Picnic lunch.

Afternoon: We will visit Montmorency Falls which towers more than 270 feet above the St. Lawrence River. The view from the bridge over the top of the falls is unforgettable. We’ll then proceed to the hotel for check-in.

Dinner: At a local restaurant in Quebec City.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.

DAY
7
Program Concludes
Quebec City, Québec
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






Recommended For You

loading spinner