St. Lawrence River

Because of its sheer size, the St. Lawrence River is hard to miss. For the same reason, most visitors to Canada see only a tiny portion of it. No matter, if you’re going to Quebec (be it Montreal, Quebec City, Saguenay, or Gaspe), southeastern Ontario (Kingston or Thousand Islands), or northeastern New York state in the US, odds are high you will encounter the waterway while on your trip.

To experience the river, take a cycling tour along the scenic riverbanks. Or get out on the water with Jet Ski, kayak, and canoe tours; paddleboat rentals; narrated river cruises; and whale-watching excursions. Helicopter tours over Ontario’s Thousand Islands region reveal the many rugged islets that comprise the archipelago, while tours from Quebec City to the agricultural river island of Ile d’Orleans often stop at Montmorency Falls, which spill into the St. Lawrence River.

• Wear warm layers. It gets very cold here in winter and parts of the river regularly freeze. Even in summer, it can be cold on the water.

• Be on the lookout for animals, such as beaver, deer, flying squirrels, mink, muskrat, and porcupine, among others.

• The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is among the best whale-watching spots in Canada.

Ride Montreal’s orange metro line to Square-Victoria-OACI or Champ-de-Mars stations; the Old Port, which runs parallel to the St. Lawrence River, is fewer than 10 minutes on foot from there. In Quebec City, the riverfront is accessible on foot from Old Quebec.

Warm summer is a prime time to explore the St. Lawrence River, as winter is bitterly cold, with temperatures often far below freezing. May–Nov. make up the best period for whale watching.

For river views in Quebec City, stroll the elevated Dufferin Terrace boardwalk, which winds along a high cliff behind the famous Fairmont Chateau Frontenac hotel. The boardwalk leads to Battlefields Park and affords a bird’s-eye view of the river and the cruise ships pulling into port. In Montreal, the best river vistas can be seen from the Old Port.

Yes, you can tour the St. Lawrence River. There are many options at different price points and with different focuses. Some visitors choose a scenic ferry ride, while others want to connect with the area’s nature and choose a whale-watching excursion. Peaceful tour options include kayaking or canoeing.

Visitors looking to go whale watching along the St. Lawrence will want to plan a trip between May and October. During this period, more than a dozen species of whales, including blue whales and humpbacks are found in the St. Lawrence. The summer months of August and into September are especially beautiful.

Yes, you can swim in the St. Lawrence River, but only some days. Potential swimmers should be aware that water quality is constantly monitored, and not all days are swimmable. Swimming sites on the St. Lawrence are rated based on water quality, and swimmers can find up-to-date information online.

Yes, visiting the St. Lawrence River is worth it. It is a destination for admiring views and participating in outdoor trips like nature tours, whale-watching excursions, and scenic ferry rides. Adventurous travelers may want to canoe, kayak, try a stand-up paddle board, or even go ice canoeing on the frozen river.

No, reservations are not required but may be suggested for some activities along the St. Lawrence River. Visitors with limited time schedules and the desire to do specific activities such as whale watching should definitely make reservations in advance. For activities like renting a kayak, reservations are less critical.

August and September are the best months to visit the St. Lawrence River, when autumn winds have not picked up, and fog is rare. But while summer is popular for outdoor activities on the St. Lawrence, winter offers its own pleasures, such as ice canoeing on the frozen river.