Book and comments
When I was at sea, or after my whale-watching cruise, I used to suggest...
"We protect what we love, and we love what we know."
- Jean-Yves Cousteau
see my travel diary
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!
New Challenge for 2026–2027!
- I'll be starting in October 2026 as a helmsman for CTMA (Canada), which operates a ferry service between Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands on an annual basis.
- It was an incredible season because there were so many whales! I'm going to write an article about it this fall.
- Twenty-six years ago, in 2000, I was in Mauritius and Rodrigues to work with Delphine on sperm whales and dolphins. A year later, on June 23, 2001, Delphine was gone. She would have been 25 this year. I’ll never forget my trip there, or the time we swam with the sperm whales.
My autobiographical book - From gravel to sea - is available online as a self-publication on Amazon and Leslibraires.ca! Otherwise in Quebec, you can find it in bookstores, libraries and artisan boutiques. You can choose with or without color photos.
I'm happy to have it on paper after more than 3 years of long writing, research, memoirs and correction by two friends.
It's the book of my life, 406 pages50 years in touch with the world of the sea since my childhood. It is available in paperback or ebook format on all Amazon and paperback format on Les Libraires en ligne :
Amazon.ca ⎯ Amazon.fr ⎯ Amazon.com ⎯ etc ...
and Leslibraires.ca
Enjoy your reading 
see my travel diary
My latest articles
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Season 2025 and 301 cruises
I was able to complete 301 whale-watching cruises during the 2025 season in...
Season 2025 in Canada
We saw blue whales every day in the last few days...
Discovery Cruises
Come and meet the marine mammals
01.
A unique experience
Impressive and elusive, marine wildlife can be observed in exceptional conditions during the summer season in Canada
02.
Awareness
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.
03.
Respectful
The whales approach the boats on their own and we make sure that they are in permanent confidence
04.
20+ years of sailing
I know perfectly the ocean and the climate in this area where I have lived and sailed for a lifetime
The 2026 season starts soon!
Experience feedback
"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.
Regina
Customer Season 2016"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!".
Sylvie
Customer Season 2014"I saw one go by from the boat, and I'll remember it for the rest of my life!".
Laetitia
Customer season 2010"Meeting of two humpback whales! Great outing with Captain Julien!".
Paul
Customer Season 2011"Rare moment to see a blue whale show its tail".
Gill
Customer Season 2011"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!".
Christophe
Customer season 2013"A beautiful sunny day to watch a humpback whale playing on its back! I loved my experience! Thanks Julien".
Jean-Pierre
Customer season 2011"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. ".
René
Customer season 2016"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".
Aline
Customer season 2011"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".
Doriane
Customer Season 2013Two incredible and unforgettable outings thanks to Julien's intuition and experience!
The first was a thrill ride with a group of humpback whales. The second with two blue whales, one of which was sticking out its tail!
MAGIC! Can't wait for the next season! Thank you, Julien!
Ingrid and Ben from Montreal.
Ingrid
Customer season 2024Hi Julien, we thank you (and the whales) for a superb Zodiac outing! Thank you and enjoy, Ellie and Dan.
Ellie and Dan
Customer season 2025Hi Julien, I've taken the time to send you a few photos and videos taken during our great outing with you on 07/29, as you requested. All the best, Jean.
Jean
Customer season 2025We loved our tour with Julien—it was our first time on a Zodiac, and it certainly won't be our last. He loves his job and shares his knowledge about the different marine species with us.
Cindy
Client, Season 2026An interest in marine mammals? julien.marchal1976@gmail.com
Do not hesitate to contact me for your study needs.
Cetacean Watching
Are you an NGO? Interested in my work?
In Canada
I've lived in northern Canada for many years and it's a favorite area for whales and other northern resident mammals, so I'd be happy to take on any observation and photographic assignments you may request.
In the Mediterranean Sea
I'm particularly familiar with the Pelagos marine sanctuary, which was my first observation ground, and I can carry out short missions focusing on marine mammals.
Anywhere
I have studied in French Polynesia, the Azores, the Bahamas, Canada (west and east), Mauritius and Rodrigues, French Guiana and the French West Indies. I'd be delighted to discover new areas of observation and provide comparative skills for short missions.
Goals for 2027
- Helmsman on the ferry for CTMA in the Magdalen Islands.
"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)
345 whale-watching cruises in 2026! And 2027? We'll see.
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