What an exceptional summer for whale watching in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park! Among all the marine mammals spotted this season, humpback whales truly stole the show. Breaches, pectoral fin slaps, and social encounters delighted whale watchers throughout the summer, creating unforgettable memories on the water.
If you've been following our adventures on social media, some names may already sound familiar. Gaspar, Katana, Yvon, and Fireworks made frequent appearances and captivated both passengers and naturalists alike.
Let's take a closer look at the true stars of the 2026 season!
Note: every humpback whale has a unique identification number used by researchers worldwide (for example, H626). The names given to individual whales, such as Gaspar or Katana, are typically associated with the region where they were first named.
Gaspar (H626): A Loyal Visitor to the St. Lawrence
We begin with Gaspar, a female born in 2005 who is celebrating her 20th year of sightings in the marine park. This season, she was first observed on June 15 and has been seen many times since. True to form, she even treated observers to a few spectacular breaches!
A familiar face in the estuary, Gaspar is easily recognized by the unique pattern on the underside of her tail fluke. On the right lobe, a large white patch bears a striking resemblance to the famous ghost Casper, the feature that inspired her name. Can you spot it in the photo below?
Gaspar (H626)Gaspar is also known as Boum Boum River (BBR). This nickname refers to the municipality of Rivière-au-Tonnerre, affectionately called "Boum Boum River" by local residents. It was near this area that she was reportedly first observed during her birth year by the Mingan Islands research team. In 2019, researchers saw her accompanied by a calf, believed to be her first known offspring.
After 20 years in the waters of the marine park, Gaspar remains one of the whales we're always delighted to welcome back season after season.
Katana (H944): The Enigmatic One
The katana, the iconic Japanese sword, inspired the name of this humpback whale. A small "X" visible on the right lobe of her tail fluke helps distinguish her from the many other whales observed in the estuary.
Katana (H944)Although Katana has been seen in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park since 2018, she remains something of a mystery. Despite years of monitoring, researchers have yet to determine her sex, and much of her story remains unknown.
Particularly present in the region during the summer of 2026, Katana provided several memorable encounters during our whale watching tours, notably through her impressive pectoral fin slaps that captured the attention of countless observers.
Yvon (H859): Impossible to Mistake
Many humpback whales are identified by the pattern on their tail flukes. With Yvon, however, recognition often happens long before he dives.
His large dorsal fin immediately stands out. Particularly impressive in size, it appears almost flexible as he swims and moves in a distinctive manner at the surface. It's a feature that allows many guides and captains to identify him within seconds.
Two pale marks are also visible on his right flank, just ahead of the dorsal fin, adding to his unique appearance. His tail fluke bears a cross-shaped marking on the right lobe, resembling a tic-tac-toe grid. Unlike many other humpbacks regularly seen in the St. Lawrence, his tail is predominantly dark.
Yvon (H859)Observed in the estuary every year since his first identification in 2018, Yvon has become a well-known regular among research teams and naturalists. During our whale watching tours, the first sighting reported by the research team this season occurred on June 17, 2026.
Fireworks (H943): A Remarkable Return
One glance at her tail fluke is enough to understand how Fireworks got her name. At the centre of her tail is a striking pattern that resembles a firework bursting across the night sky.
Fireworks (H943)Unlike some humpback whales that return to the St. Lawrence every year, Fireworks is more of an occasional visitor. She was observed from 2019 to 2022, then briefly in 2024, before making a highly anticipated return to the marine park this year. Her first sighting of the season was recorded on June 30. Her sex remains unknown, adding another layer of mystery to her story.
In early August, Fireworks and Katana were spotted together off Tadoussac. For nearly three hours, the two whales repeatedly slapped their pectoral fins on the water's surface. Scientists believe this behaviour may play a role in communication between individuals, though many questions remain unanswered.
Éline (H929): The Distinctive Whale
Éline first ventured into the St. Lawrence estuary in 2020 and has returned every year since. This season, the research team first observed her on July 14.
She is particularly recognizable thanks to the broad white band running along the upper edge of her tail fluke, a feature that becomes especially visible when she dives. The underside of her tail also displays large white sections on both sides, while her relatively square-shaped dorsal fin completes her distinctive look. Thanks to these characteristics, naturalists can identify her quite easily among the many humpback whales inhabiting the estuary, and passengers aboard our zodiac whale watching tours never fail to spot her.
Éline (H929)An Unforgettable Summer in the Kingdom of Giants
Every humpback whale has its own story, habits, and distinctive traits. Year after year, their return to the St. Lawrence helps researchers deepen their understanding of these remarkable marine mammals while offering visitors unforgettable encounters.
The 2026 season will undoubtedly be remembered for the presence of these iconic individuals, whose repeated appearances enriched experiences at the best whale watching site in the world. Plan your whale watching tour today and experience these extraordinary encounters for yourself in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.
Which of these whales were you lucky enough to see this summer?
