View US East Coast & Eastern Canada on the mapA regional city where industry and nature coexist, surrounded by a deep fjord carved by glaciers and coniferous forests. A town-wide welcome, including greeters in traditional costume, is a specialty when ships call, and the stay is a calm one centered on beluga whale watching and hiking.

Saguenay

Saguenay · Canada · 48.33, -70.87

Saguenay is a port at the head of the Saguenay Fjord, a tributary of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. Highlights include views from ships sailing up the inlet between cliffs and the unassuming townscape of a Francophone community.

Port highlights

A regional city of about 140,000 people

Population

A subarctic climate with harsh winters; January is bitterly cold. Even July and August are cool, and September to October, when cruise calls are concentrated, is the best time for autumn foliage.

Climate

French (English is also available for tourism services)

Language

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Currency

September to October (autumn foliage and fjord scenery are at their most beautiful)

Best time to visit

Local food

Poutine, tarte au sucre, blueberry sweets, local cheese, maple products

Sights

Saguenay Fjord National ParkLa Baie Little House (historic wooden house)Beluga whale watching cruiseSaguenay Bay lookouts and hiking trailsLocal autumn foliage driving route

Monthly average high / low temperatures

-9°

-21°Jan

-7°

-20°Feb

-1°

-14°Mar

7°

-4°Apr

17°

3°May

22°

8°Jun

24°

11°Jul

24°

10°Aug

19°

6°Sep

10°

1°Oct

2°

-5°Nov

-5°

-15°Dec

Unit: °C · Calculated from NOAA GHCN-Daily station observations · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: LA BAIE · about 5.4 km from port · elevation difference about 147 m · Approximate (station elevation differs) · Last checked: Oct 4, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers

Much more expensive than Tokyo

Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)186 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, coffee costs about the same; water, meals, beer and a Big Mac are somewhat more expensive.

CA$3.49

Water 500 ml

CA$4.50

Coffee

CA$15.00

Inexpensive meal

CA$9.00

Local beer

CA$8.17

Big Mac

Prices from nearby Quebec City (about 171 km away) · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 (partly estimated) · Sources: Shop and menu prices · The Economist, Big Mac Index (CC BY 4.0)