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Forillon National Park, in Gaspésie, offers one of the most amazing snorkeling adventures in Canada. Many seals live along its rocky shores, full of lobsters and fish. Swimming next to these playful animals is a unique experience, which is well worth overcoming the apprehension about the water temperature.

Snorkeling with the seals tours described on this page is not permitted anymore since 2019, due to new regulations for interactions with marine mammals. Inquire locally or with operators for the latest up-to-date information.

Seal on a rock
A harbour seal photographed from the water.

How to go snorkeling with seals in Forillon National Park?

Forillon National Park is located in Quebec, in the Gaspé region. To snorkel with the seals, book a tour with Plongée Forillon, a diving club located in a bungalow on Grande-Grave dock (about 40 minutes by car from Gaspé).

Snorkeling equipment, including very thick wetsuits protecting from the cold, are included. You will then reach the spot, along the rocky coast of Cap Gaspé, after a short dingy ride. The activity (boat + snorkeling) lasts about 2 hours.

Forillon National Park snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling with the seals

You will enter the water directly from the boat.

Forillon National Park snorkeling tips

The snorkeling activity takes place along the rocky coast of Cap Gaspé, where a colony of harbor seals has settled. The depth is around 6-10ft/2-3m near the shore, and increases as you move away from the coast.

Crab in Forillon National Park
Many crabs live on the seabed, covered with algae.

The harbor seals are the main reason why visitors come to this area. Curious and playful, they get very close to the snorkelers, and sometimes do not hesitate to nibble their fins or come to inspect their mask. Your guide will tell you how to behave in the water so as not to disturb them.

Harbor seal in Forillon National Park
At this location, the seals can be inquisitive, and get very close to the visitors.

Also have a look at the rocky bottoms, covered in places with a wide variety of algae and seagrass. You will surprise there huge American lobsters, several species of crabs, sea anemones, starfish, as well as some fish.

Lobster in Forillon National Park
American lobsters (Homarus americanus) are very common at this location.

Underwater visibility is variable but generally good enough to enjoy the activity.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

There are many accommodations in Gaspé (about 40 minutes by car from the spot) and on the road between Gaspé and the entrance to the National Park.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Protected areaForillon National Park
  • Maximum depth20ft/6m
  • Water entranceFrom a boat
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsCost of a snorkeling tour

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.