When visiting Quebec, it's hard to resist the urge to go whale watching, especially given that the St. Lawrence River is home to some 13 species of marine mammals, such as the blue, fin and humpback whales, as well as harbour porpoises and belugas, to name but a few. There are a number of cruises to observe these great creatures. Some of the best places to see them are in the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord (set sail from the regions of Charlevoix, Manicouagan, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and even Québec), as well as in Gaspésie. You can choose from a variety of cruises on different kinds of watercraft, such as passenger ships, catamarans or even Zodiacs. Whale watching cruises are also often great occasions to observe seals, marine birds and even to learn more about lighthouses and other elements of maritime history thanks to interpretation information given by on-board guides. Some advice: dress warmly so you can enjoy your excursion; on the water, the temperature is much cooler!