Added: 10/04/2005 |
Exploring the Saguenay - St. Lawrence Marine ParkThe park itself has a surface area of over 100 square kilometers, in an area that includes parts of the St. Lawrence Estuary and the Saguenay Fjord, in the region of Saguenay Quebec. The Fjord is one of the longest in the world, and certainly the longest in eastern Canada. The Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park is rich with marine life, and was the first park in Saguenay Quebec to be incorporated especially to protect a marine environment.
There are, of course, many things to do and see in the park, and in the region there are many a hotel saguenay in which the visitor may enjoy a comfortable stay. From one of the many hotel saguenay a visitor is encouraged to visit the Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre. This observation centre is located where the Saguenay Fjord mixes with the St. Lawrence Estuary, which creates a unique oceanic environment.
The centre offers an opportunity to view the marine life that thrives in the Saguenay - St. Lawrence Marine Park region. There are designated trails for nature hikes and walks, and lookout points are provided with telescopes with which to observe nature. The centre also boasts a well trained team of employees to assist the visitor in interpreting and better understanding the wonders of the Saguenay region.
Another popular reason for visiting the Saguenay - St. Lawrence Marine Park is the opportunity for the visitor to observe marine mammals in the sea itself. One of the most popular activities is whale watching, and many companies and organizations provide whale watching tours. It is important to keep in mind however, that water activity is heavily regulated, due to the unique and diverse nature of the environment in the Saguenay region. In some cases it is inadvisable to approach areas even with non-motorized vehicles like canoes or kayaks, as it is possible even in this manner to disturb the feeding patters of whales and other marine life in the park.
To further enhance a visitor's enjoyment of the park, the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park has set up many opportunities for the visitor to gain a further education about the area. Many sites have been put together under the umbrella of the Discovery Network, where a visitor can learn more about the park and its marine life while staying on land - after all, this is a marine park, and direct observation of its habitat requires venturing into the ocean itself. Currently, the Discovery Network contains 11 sites, and it constantly growing. Each of the sites has a theme and provides an opportunity for the visitor to learn about a specific area of the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park's ecosystem.
There are many national parks in Northern Quebec, due its diverse and unique environment. The Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, however, is one of the few that focuses almost exclusively on marine life, and is thus a must-see for those interested in the subject. Its unique situation of being located where the Seguenay Fjord and St. Lawrence Estuary interact, provides for a marine setting not found anywhere else, and a truly educational experience for all.
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