Canada Wildlife Holidays

Canada's bear species

Black bears in Canada

Black bears are abundant in Canada and are probably the bear species you are most likely to spot on your holiday. You can often see black bears just by the roadside as you drive through mountain regions like Banff, Jasper and Whistler. British Columbia’s coastal black bears can be viewed on a boat tour from Vancouver Island. It's a great way to get up close to the animals and see their unique behaviour as they forage along the rocky shorelines for crabs.

Grizzly bears in Canada

Majestic grizzly bears can be harder than black bears to spot when you're simply out and about, which is why a dedicated lodge visit really pays off. You can watch grizzlies feasting on salmon in the Great Bear Rainforest - a spectacular wilderness region along British Columbia's Pacific Coast. The lodges in this wild and beautiful area have a fountain of knowledge on when and where to see grizzlies. There's nothing like seeing them in such a pristine environment.

Polar bears in Arctic Canada

Polar bears congregate on the shores of Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba. This remote Arctic region gives you the best chance of seeing dozens of majestic bears. Specially-designed tundra buggies transport you across the frozen landscape to where the polar bears wait for the sea ice to return. The photo opportunities are incredible and offer the perfect mix of seeing the animals in their natural habitat as well as getting close - the bears are very curious about the trucks!

Canada's whale species

Where the orcas roam

Orcas, or killer whales, come high up on most wildlife enthusiasts' lists of must-see animals. There is a resident pod of these beautiful creatures in the Strait of Juan de Fuca off Vancouver Island's capital, Victoria. That means the orcas live there year-round rather than migrating so you've got a great chance of spotting them. Tours here offer guaranteed sightings or a second tour for free. You can also spot them up the coast in Tofino, in the Pacific Rim National Park.

Humpback heaven

There are plenty of places in Canada to spot magnificent humpback whales. Off the coast of Vancouver Island, the sounds and fjords around the Great Bear Rainforest and along the Inside Passage to Alaska are some of the top spots in the West. In Eastern Canada, Quebec has incredible whale watching along the St. Lawrence River. Seeing that iconic fluke disappearing into the ocean should be on everyone's bucket list.

12 species in one place

The Bay of Fundy in Atlantic Canada is pretty special. This huge body of water between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick has the highest tides in the world. The movement of water stirs up the sea and brings in a ton of nutrients, making it a rich feeding ground for marine life. The area can boast up to 12 species of whales in the summer months, including humpback, fin, minke and rare North Atlantic right whales. You can also spot dolphins and porpoises.

Best for bears

Knight Inlet Lodge

Set in a wonderfully peaceful and remote location in West Coast British Columbia, the area surrounding the floating lodge has one of the highest concentrations of bears in the province. Your days here are filled with excursions led by experienced local guides to see the bears both on foot or by kayak.

Great Bear Lodge

This gorgeous lodge is located in a remote coastal valley in British Columbia. With very little else around, the lodge is one of the only companies operating in the Nekite Valley and is one of the best places in the world to see grizzly bears. The number of guests at the eco-friendly lodge is limited to 16 so you are always guaranteed a truly personalised and memorable experience.

Tweedsmuir Park Lodge

One of the most relaxed places for bear watching, keep your eyes peeled from your private log cabin for bears simply wandering by. Tweedsmuir Park is a fantastic place to stop off at as part of a self-drive holiday along Highway 20 in central BC, so take some time out and truly appreciate the surroundings of the Great Bear Rainforest. There are multiple viewing locations throughout the resort, providing great opportunities to go spotting exactly where the bears are.

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Best for bears

Sonora Resort

This Relais & Chateaux property offers British Columbia's magical coastal setting along with five-star accommodation, extraordinary service, gourmet dining and a spectacular spa. The spa even has soothing mineral pools and an exclusive treatment called the 'water journey' to harness the relaxation and purification powers of the surrounding ocean. Sonora Resort offers unmatched splendour, comfort and natural thrills in the famed beauty and tranquillity of the Great Bear Rainforest.

Spirit Bear Lodge

Nestled in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, the Spirit Bear Lodge is unsurprisingly one of the best places in the world to see the beautiful Spirit Bear – a white bear that is part of the black bear family. The Lodge is a community-based ecotourism venture owned and operated by the Kitasoo/ Xai’xais First Nations people. All bear watching excursions are led by a certified biologist and an aboriginal skipper.

Pyna-tee-ah Lodge

Arriving at Pyna-tee-ah Lodge at the base of the Cariboo Mountains is like being welcomed into the home of close friends. The lodge only ever has a maximum of 12 guests so the atmosphere is always relaxed and homely. The large surrounding area around Quesnel Lake offers lots of great viewing opportunities both on foot or by boat and every tour is accompanied by the resident ‘bear whisperer’ with his 30 years of experience.

Plan your visit

When & where to see bears

Bears come out of hibernation around April to November (except polar bears which don’t hibernate). The best chance of seeing grizzlies and black bears is in the summer months, while for polar bears it is October and November. The salmon run in BC peaks around September. You can watch grizzlies feasting on salmon in the Great Bear Rainforest. Spot black bears in mountain regions like Banff, Jasper and Whistler as well as Vancouver Island's coast. For polar bears, head to Churchill, Manitoba.

When and where to see whales

May to October is the main season to spot whales, peaking around July and August. For the grey whale migration past Tofino, you’ll need to go in March. Towns like Tadoussac in Québec and Digby in Nova Scotia are best for humpbacks, minke, blue and beluga whales. Manitoba’s Hudson Bay is the best place for belugas. British Columbia reigns supreme for orcas - resident pods are visible on tours from Vancouver, Victoria and Tofino.

Canada's diverse residents

Canada's most famous - moose

The moose has to be the most iconic animal in Canada. This endearing gentle giant tops many people's wishlists of animals they'd love to spot on holiday. While the moose is widespread, it's actually easier to spot them in Central and Eastern Canada. The parks of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada are particularly good places to spot these striking animals. Try the forests and waterways of Algonquin Provincial Park, a few hours from Toronto, for a sure-fire place to see them.

Elk, sheep & mountain goats

It's possible to spot a large variety of sure-footed mountain wildlife when you holiday in the Rocky Mountains and further north in the Yukon. Elk are widespread, wandering through Banff town in the early morning and frequent visitors to campsites in the mountains. Characterful bighorn sheep are often seen by the side of the road along the Icefields Parkway. Mountain goats are harder to spot but you might get lucky in Jasper, Alberta or Smithers, British Columbia.

Eagles, birds & smaller animals

Don’t forget about Canada's incredible birdlife! Whether you're an avid birdwatcher or not, it's an exhilarating experience to see a bald eagle soaring above the treetops or an osprey diving for fish in a river valley. The blue jay is a colourful and common sighting too. You can also spot a variety of cute smaller mammals, from the fluffy marmot to the cheeky chipmunk and lively ground squirrel.

Speak with our experts

Thinking of booking a wildlife holiday in Canada? There is no greater thrill than seeing Canada's majestic and varied wildlife in it's natural habitat. Give our friendly team a call and to talk through exactly what you are looking for from your Canada holiday.

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