Since my first swim in Corsica at the age of 6
and my encounter with my first whale in 1995,
I am below or above the sea!
"We protect what we love, and we love what we know."
- Jean-Yves Cousteau
Follow my passionate news
Here is the identification of all the whale species photographed...
This winter I'm continuing my work as a helmsman or deckhand on watch...
I did a contract as an observer and system operator...
Discovery Cruises
Impressive and elusive, marine wildlife can be observed in exceptional conditions during the summer season in Canada
Beyond the show, these outings allow us to realize how small we are, all the wonderful magic of nature and the elements that are beyond us.
The whales approach the boats on their own and we make sure that they are in permanent confidence
I know perfectly the ocean and the climate in this area where I have lived and sailed for a lifetime
"There are no words to describe how it feels to see these majestic whales so close to you. I had a wonderful day that I will never forget.
"We had a wonderful start to the 2014 season with the friendly and passionate, naturalist captain, Julien Marchal, from Croisières Essipit, in Les Bergeronnes, on the North Shore of Quebec. Everything was there!...an ideal temperature, worthy of the most beautiful summer days!".
"I saw one go by from the boat, and I'll remember it for the rest of my life!".
"Meeting of two humpback whales! Great outing with Captain Julien!".
"Rare moment to see a blue whale show its tail".
"I have unforgettable memories of my encounter with the whales. It was a moment of communion that made me feel the fullness and strength of nature and put our place in this earthly whole into perspective. A lot of emotions and a great respect for this much larger and more peaceful life!".
"A beautiful sunny day to watch a humpback whale playing on its back! I loved my experience! Thanks Julien".
"The North Shore of the St-Lawrence River, it's the immensity. It is also nature, cold and very welcoming people. Our stay started with a whale watching trip in Essipit. Wow! What a start! We were surrounded by humpback whales that were feeding on the surface. We could almost touch them. Julien, our captain, guided us masterfully on these icy and somewhat agitated waters. An unforgettable day for my son, my father-in-law and me. Memories that we still discuss with emotion. ".
"An exceptional and unforgettable memory where time stopped with this little playful Beluga that had decided to stay by our side so we couldn't turn on the engine! The size of the boat is really good to be able to have the feeling of being close to the water and without too many people".
"Over there, it's a feast: minke whales, fin whales and blue whales! Close to the boat and "feeding", i.e. they open their mouths wide as they swim sideways, then dive, revealing their stripes, flanks and pectoral fins. And we were as amazed and excited as children... All magic. We came away with stars in our eyes and a taste of salt on our lips".
An interest in marine mammals? julien.marchal1976@gmail.com
Do not hesitate to contact me for your study needs.
Are you an NGO? Interested in my work?
I live in Northern Canada all year round and it is a favorite area for whales and other northern resident mammals, I would be happy to respond to any observation and photographic missions requested.
I am particularly familiar with this maritime area which was my first observation ground and I can carry out short missions oriented towards marine mammals.
I have studied in French Polynesia, French Guiana and the West Indies. I would be delighted to discover new areas of observation and to bring comparative capabilities for short missions.
Continue to whale and seal watching cruises for - Essipit Cruises (QC, Canada) for the 2025 season. I'm aiming for 300 rides! A crazy goal, but personal and possible. No captain has been able to do it with a ceiling of 3 or 4 trips a day. Physically, it's hard and demanding on this type of boat, but I work every day to be at the top of my game. I'll be 49 next year and I don't know how long my body will last. Tourism is going to be present and I need my boat to be ready from the start of the season so that I can go out during my vacations, which wasn't the case this year. We didn't have all the boats, including mine, because of a delay with the computer console on my new engines.
My proofreader finished proofreading my manuscript on September 1, 2024. It talks about where I come from, my youth, Corsica, my relationship with the sea, captivity, ocean pollution, marine mammals, my travels and the consecration of my work as a captain in Canada. I sent it all to the publishers.
"When the last tree is cut down, The last river poisoned, The last fish caught, Then you'll discover That money can't be eaten..."
- Cree proverb (Canadian Indians)