We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This helps support what we do and in no way costs you a thing.
The low hum of the motor beneath our feet offers a soothing rhythm, blending seamlessly with the gentle sway of the boat as it carves through the still waters of the Saguenay Fjord.
Around us, the world is painted in a lush symphony of greens—emerald, moss, jade, and fern—each hue climbing skyward until it kisses the mist-draped clouds above. Everywhere you look, this verdant palette softens the rugged cliffs and envelopes the fjord in quiet majesty.
Now and then, a hidden waterfall reveals itself, tumbling gracefully from unseen heights, its source tucked deep within the forest’s secrets. We watch it spill into the fjord below, mesmerized by the power and poetry of water meeting water.
So much more than just a tour through the fjord – it feels like a communion. A moment where nature whispers, and the soul listens.
What Is a Fjord?
Before you even step foot on the boat, it helps to understand what makes a fjord so extraordinary. A fjord is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between steep cliffs, carved by the immense force of glacial ice thousands of years ago.
During the last Ice Age, colossal glaciers advanced and retreated over this landscape, gouging valleys as they moved. When the ice finally melted, sea water flooded these valleys, creating the dramatic, watery corridors we see today.
The Saguenay Fjord is a textbook example—one of the southernmost fjords in the Northern Hemisphere and among the longest. At its deepest, it plunges more than 270 meters (almost 900 feet), creating an underwater world as fascinating as the one above.
A Living, Breathing Landscape
Though the glaciers are long gone, the Saguenay Fjord is still changing. The massive weight of the ice sheets compressed the Earth’s crust here, and now—slowly, imperceptibly—it is rebounding, decompressing at a rate of a few millimeters each year. Over time, this is subtly reshaping the shoreline and the cliffs.
Standing on the deck of the boat, you can’t see this movement, but you can feel the ancient energy of the place—like the land itself is still in conversation with its past.
Why Is It Protected?
Due to its geological rarity, ecological richness, and cultural heritage, the Saguenay Fjord and itssurrounding lands were designated as part of Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay. Protecting this area preserves not only its dramatic landscapes but also its unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Beneath the water’s surface, cold, oxygen-rich layers foster diverse marine life, including species that are rarely found so far south—like beluga whales. On land, the park shelters black bears, moose, and countless bird species that depend on the cliffs and forests for survival.
And of course, it protects the human stories too: of Indigenous communities who revered these lands for millennia, of settlers who carved out a living here, and of travelers like us who come to marvel at its beauty.
Sailing into History
We chose to experience the fjord aboard the Navettes Maritimes du Fjord, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. As we sailed toward the charming village of L’Anse-Saint-Jean, the cool wind played through our hair and the temperature gradually dipped—reminding us that this is, above all, a northern wilderness.
What makes this cruise unforgettable is that it’s more than just scenery. The guide narrates the journey in both French and English, weaving stories of geology, history, and legend into the experience.
As we neared one of the fjord’s most iconic landmarks—the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue, perched high on a cliff—we paused. The engine quieted, the boat drifted, and the soft strains of Ave Maria filled the air. The guide explained the history of this statue, which was erected in 1881 to watch over the region’s sailors and residents. She stands as a solemn sentinel over the water, blessing all who pass by.
In that moment, with the music and the wind and the sheer weight of the cliffs around us, it felt almost sacred.
A Wonder in Its Pure State
Whether you come to marvel at geology in action, to trace the history etched into its cliffs, or simply to be awed by its grandeur, the Saguenay Fjord never disappoints.
The Navettes Maritimes du Fjord isn’t just transportation—it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in one of Québec’s greatest natural wonders. Steep cliffs. Blue depths. Whispering waterfalls. And a sense that the land itself is alive with memory.
If you’re visiting Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay, don’t rush. Stand on the deck. Watch the green cliffs rise around you. Let the wind carry the stories of the water, the ice, and the people who’ve come before.
It’s a reminder of how small we are—and how beautiful that can be.
