The Most Adventurous Things To Do in Saguenay: Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord

Saguenay is the best place to go kayaking in Quebec - even if there are a few misadventures along the way.

My trip to Saguenay was part of a media visit organized by the Saguenay Lac Saint Jean tourism board. Some links within this blog post are affiliate links, which means we are paid a small commission should you make a purchase through said link.

If this isn't the face of confidence and athleticism, I don't know what is!

Brimming with confidence and cutting a dashing, athletic figure, I nimbly slid into the stern of my sea kayak, ready to embrace the elements and be one with nature.

Wait a minute.... that's not me! I've never been nimble at anything I do, let alone anything to do with boats! But when I had the opportunity to kayak the Saguenay, Quebec, Fjord - and specifically be in the Saguenay St Lawrence Marine Park, adjacent to Fjord National Park- I WAS truly ready to be one with nature. The chance to navigate a fjord here in Canada was a rare travel experience I couldn't miss. 

As for the confidence.... well... let's just say that I was about as confident as I was nimble. But it didn't take me long to hit my stride, with only a few minor mishaps. And it was all worth it to be better acquainted with an absolutely incredible corner of the world. Here's why I think sea kayaking is among the best things to do in Saguenay (even if there were a few awkward wetsuit moments along the way). 

Of all the things to do in Saguenay, Quebec, kayaking the fjord needs to be near the top of your list. Not only is it one of Canada's most incredible spots of unspoiled nature, it's also full of friendly, experienced guides and outfitters.

Together with my friends, I was fortunate to be in the capable hands of kayak guide Charles from OrganisAction and nature lover Pamela of Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux, an outdoor centre for sea kayaking, fishing, high rope climbing, and more. They were wonderfully good humoured as they showed us around the Parc Aventures property and helped us to get ready for our kayaking excursion.

A guide, a gear outfitter, and a great support team is critical to enjoy Saguenay Fjord kayaking, regardless of whether your trip is only a few hours or a few days (Charles frequently leads 5 and 6 day trips in the summer). The unforgiving cliffs of the fjord, some over 1,100 feet high, demand that landing spots be planned in advance and there are sections where the waves prove challenging for even experienced paddlers. Plus, from a practical point of view, it's a lot easier for travelers to rent gear and the leave the logistics to someone else. And speaking of gear... things were about to get rather personal. 

"What to wear under wetsuit?" Awkward translation, awkward topic!

Like any sporty travel activity, you're only as good as your gear and kayaking is no exception. We had to worry about staying warm, even with the strong sun, and that meant wetsuits. Time to get personal!

There are some questions that are awkward to ask in any language. I bumbled through some rough French to ask the ever-elegant "What to wear under wetsuit?" Of course, if I had my wits about me, I surely could have translated with a bit more grace to ask "what do you wear under a wetsuit". But, let's face it, talking about undergarments isn't the easiest of subjects! Thankfully, Charles and Pamela were pros at tackling this tricky topic.

Just in case you're shy to ask, ideally, one wears form fitting clothing (such as yoga pants and top), under a wetsuit. But as we all had on regular trousers and jeans, they suggested we remove those but keep our long sleeved shirts on. (Oh, in case you're wondering - yep, you definitely keep your underwear ON! And if I can be so bold, try to wear your most comfortable undies, ones that won't bunch up as you shimmy into the fabric of the suit. If you can tuck your top into those undies, all the better to prevent your shirt from riding up).

From, um, a practical point of view, those long sleeved shirts served two purposes. They kept our upper bodies warm as the wetsuits did not have sleeves. Even in mid May, the wind and the water were still very cold. And the shirts also kept some important body parts covered up as the front of the wetsuit was rather sparse.

With the question of the base layer taken care of, it was time to actually WEAR the wetsuit. I'll be honest: getting into a wetsuit is just about as uncomfortable as you can imagine. It was remarkably tough to get things up over my heels and ankles. The wetsuits weren't very forgiving and didn't yield to angular body parts. But with a lot of squirming and pulling (and swearing), I got the suit up and on! It wasn't comfortable nor uncomfortable - just a bit curious. 

After the wetsuit, I also had to squeeze my way into aqua boots, a wind breaker, a kayak skirt, and a PFD.  Let's just say that I didn't walk to the kayak - I waddled! 

Finally ready to go! Kayaking the Saguenay Fjord. 

Waddling aside, it wasn't long before we were in the clear, deep waters of the Saguenay Fjord. I shared a kayak with my friend Aeryn from Geek Life (who took all the photos you see of the other kayakers), while Paula, from Thrifty Mommas Tips, and Margarita from Downshifting Pro (she took the photos you'll see of Aeryn and myself), shared their kayaks with Charles and Pamela. We were feisty, fearless, and ready to go! 

Our launch point at Parc Jaseux was close to Saguenay Fjord National Park - and it's just about the most scenic place you can imagine, with awe inspiring cliffs, wide open skies, and the occasional swooping bird for distraction. Kayakers aren't the only people who adore this part of the Saguenay Fjord. It's also popular with hikers, trail runners, and some of the world's boldest dare devils, those who climb and walk the Via Ferrata route.

Saguenay's Via Ferrata is a totally insane, an absolutely wild passage of cliff walking and rock climbing. Of all the things to do in Saguenay and the surrounding area, this has to be the most challenging and extreme. In the top photo above, you can see some of the Via Ferrata ledges in the lower right hand portion of the cliff face. Madness! I applaud you, wild daredevils! 

Given the alternative, kayaking certainly felt like the kind of adventure I could handle, but I did have a few moments of trepidation. While I first felt intimidated about kayaking on such a majestic and powerful body of water (and, um, about moving about in all my layers), with just a few strokes I found myself settling into a comfortable routine with Aeryn and we deftly cut across the bay.

Compared to kayaking in a gentle river, sea kayaking was much more challenging. There was one section where we went around the point and it felt like the waves were battering us from both directions. We really had to use our muscles to make it through! It was the first time I ever felt the threat of motion sickness in a kayak. While some of our friends thought out boat was rocking quite a bit, I can honestly say that I never felt in danger of tipping over. I always felt in control at all times (though maybe it was good that I couldn't see things from quite the same angle that they had). Charles the guide also told us that he hasn't had a single person tip a kayak in 5 years of guiding. More than anything, that was the most reassuring. If everyone else could handle it and power on through, so could we.

But while sea kayaking had some challenges, there was also one big bonus. Steering was never so easy. Our sea kayaks were outfitted with rudders connected to foot pedals. All we had to do to turn left was to push our left pedal. Too easy!

Well, maybe not TOO easy. Despite having the wind at our back during the last section of the trip, we were suitably exhausted by the end of our excursion. We may have let the wind do most of the work in those final moments and our kayak even 'caught' a small wave, letting us surf back to shore. But it was still a tough day! And we still had to get out of all our gear!

Overall, sea kayaking in Saguenay was a fantastic experience, one that I'd happily repeat. And I definitely slept soundly that night. And, in case you're wondering, getting in and out of a kayak remains one of life's most inelegant experiences. Sigh. So much for my dreams of being nimble!

Choosing a Hotel - Saguenay Lac St Jean Options

After several hours of sea kayaking, a leisurely rest is always in order. But while it has a good number of hotels, Saguenay, Quebec doesn't have many properties downtown that really stand out as being something unique. However, if you're willing to stay where you play, so to speak, Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux offers something spectacular. And it's just 25 minutes from downtown Saguenay - and two minutes from the kayak launch site.

Parc Aventures has truly original and other-worldly accommodation choices. There's a spacious white dome with a fantastic porch featuring Adirondack style chairs and a stunning view of the Saguenay river. There are also some wacky and futuristic spheres - yes, spheres - perched high in the sky, like giant hovering orbs. One is cleverly camouflaged while the other glints in the sun like a spaceship. Inside, carefully concealed cupboards and drawers hide important necessities like corkscrews, wine glasses, rustic coffeemakers, and tiny espresso cups. It's safe to say you've never seen anything like it - I know I hadn't - let alone slept anywhere quite like it.

This year Parc Aventures is upgrading its existing composting toilets to a more luxurious standard. However, I'm not so sure how I'd feel about climbing down the steps of a tree sphere to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, no matter how nice it might be. This would certainly be an overnight stay that is all about the experience, but not necessarily the convenience. 

While I didn't have the opportunity to sleep in one of these structures, I still think it would be a really interesting experience to do so. It's a one-of-a-kind way to make memories along the Saguenay River. Plus, the architectural concept is just incredible! But, if you prefer en-suite washrooms and a bit of room service (and, let's face it - we all have days when that's exactly what we need), note that there is a Delta Hotel to meet your downtown Saguenay hotel needs (and they're pet friendly). 

It's time to discover Saguenay 

Saguenay is still a relatively undiscovered part of Canada - among Canadians, that is. European visitors have been in on the secret for years, enjoying the gorgeous Quebec wildness in all its splendor. It's time we join in!


If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like these other kayaking adventures: 
Kayaking And Bargain Hunting in Kauai
Vanessa Goes Kayaking: Norfolk Style!
Paddling Paradise in Florida's State Parks

​And check out my boating adventure in nearby Tadoussac, Quebec!