Where to See Canadian Wildlife: Secret Spots and Expert Tips

Bears wander the mountains, whales cruise the coasts, and moose stroll along a quiet highway at dawn. They're there, let us help you find them.

Canada is home to numerous natural habitats, where thousands of animal species coexist. Nature has become an integral part of the Canadian identity, and many iconic Canadian symbols are rooted in natural themes. This natural abundance made Canada a mecca of wildlife viewing.

In short:

The best places to see wildlife in Canada are British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies, Churchill, Manitoba, and the Bay of Fundy
The most popular Canadian animals to see are bears, followed by whales, then moose, elk, and beavers
Book a wildlife-viewing tour to see your dream animal during your vacation

These are the most popular wildlife in Canada to see on a trip, and where to see each.

Wildlife viewing can never be guaranteed but, with a little luck — by which we mean our team of expert Travel Designers, partner properties and local tour guides working to put you in the right place, at the right time — you will experience a humpback whale breach beside your boat, a polar bear wander past your lodge, or a glimpse of a spirit bear between the green rainforest leaves.

Bear Viewing in Canada

Bear viewing is the most popular wildlife-viewing activity in Canada, and is most prominent on the West Coast, in British Columbia, and in the Canadian Rockies.

Many visitors hope to see one along the roadside while driving through the Rockies. However, the best and most reliable encounters we've had have been on bear-viewing tours. That is why, at Canada By Design, we create itineraries that dedicate real time to seeing bears rather than relying on chance.

Black bear seen by Klahoose Wilderness Resort | Credit: Klahoose Wilderness Resort

Where to see Black Bears

Black bears are the most common bears in Canada and are the most frequently seen species on bear-viewing tours in British Columbia and Alberta.

That being said, they can be found in every province and territory other than Prince Edward Island. One of our team took our arranged coastal bear-viewing tour from Tofino, and spent an hour of it floating alongside a mama bear and her cub on the remote Pacific Rim coast — no other boats or tourists in sight.

Our Best Black Bear Tour: Grizzlies, Orcas and Black Bears Vancouver Island Road Trip

Grizzlies seen by Knight Inlet Lodge | Credit: Knight Inlet Lodge

Where to see Grizzly Bears

Grizzly bears live in western Canada, specifically across British Columbia, western Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, but travelers mostly see them in the Canadian Rockies or the Great Bear Rainforest in BC.

In the Great Bear Rainforest, small lodges offer access to world-class bear viewing led by local experts. In the Rockies, wildlife-viewing tours from Banff offer the chance to get away from the bustle of town and catch sight of the animals that wander the park.

Our Best Grizzly Bear Tour: Grizzly Bears & the Canadian Rockies Train Vacation

We designed a tour that combines both, spending time in Knight Inlet Lodge before taking the train to the Rockies. Each step of the way — from floating lodge to backcountry train to national park wildlife tours — you can discover Canada's most iconic wildlife.

A polar bear at Dymond Lake Ecolodge | Credit: Churchill Wild

Where to see Polar Bears

If you want to see polar bears in Canada, you should visit Churchill, Manitoba, the "Polar Bear Capital of the World," which is the best place on Earth to see them. They gather along the coastline in the hundreds every fall to wait for the sea ice to freeze. Churchill is right in the path of this 'great polar bear migration.' That being said, they can be found throughout the surrounding area from summer, when the entirety of the sea ice melts, forcing them onto land, until late fall or early winter, when they leave. For this, we recommend a tour featuring tundra vehicles or 'tundra buggies,' which allow you to journey further across the land in search of bears.

Related Post: Polar Bears in Canada: the Ultimate Guide

The other option, and our favourite, is a fly-in polar bear safari. Our team visited Dymond Lake Ecolodge, located 30km north of Churchill, during its two-month opening season. While there, the semi-resident bear Scarbrow (easily identified by the grey scar crossing his face) wandered the fence perimeter, curious about the activity inside. Between the lodge and the tundra safari, our team member saw over 40 polar bears in just one day.

Our Best Polar Bear Safari: Great Ice Bear Adventure

A spirit bear sitting in the Great Bear Rainforest | Credit: Destination BC / Yuri Choufour

Where to see Spirit Bears

Spirit bears, also known as Kermode bears or moskgm’ol by local Indigenous peoples, are a rare subspecies of black bear found only in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia. To see one, it is best to stay in a lodge in the rainforest. This is because the region is remote, and cruises or day tours can only access a limited part of this region.

We help our guests see spirit bears in the wild by partnering with Indigenous-owned lodges, such as Spirit Bear Lodge, which is owned and run by the Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation. Their People offer visitors ancestral knowledge of their Traditional Territory and deep insight into spirit bears, their movements, and how to see one. The best time to see spirit bears is from August to October, during the salmon run, so we designed our trips for then.

It is worth remembering that Spirit Bears are extremely rare — approximately 50% of visitors to Spirit Bear Lodge see one during their stay. We put you in the right place at the right time alongside expert guides and stewards of the land. The rest is up to nature.

Our Best Spirit Bear Tour: Spirit Bears of the Great Bear Rain Forest

Whale Watching in Canada

The best place for whale watching is in Canada's Bay of Fundy, which is home to over 12 species of whales, or on tours from Vancouver or Tofino on the West Coast of Canada.

Whales can be seen on a ferry crossing, on a dedicated whale-watching tour, or sometimes from the shore. So we choose to include time doing each in our packages.

Orcas on the coast of Vancouver Island | Credit: Destination BC / Reuben Krabbe

Where to see Orcas (Killer Whales)

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are most common on Canada's West Coast, and best seen on whale-watching tours from Vancouver, Victoria, and Tofino. They can be seen year-round due to both resident and transient orca populations living in the seas here.

But they can also be seen on the ferries connecting the mainland and the island.

Our road trips to Vancouver Island include a ferry crossing by default (we recommend you spend the trip on the outside viewing deck at the front of the ship for the best chance to see them) and, of course, whale-watching tours. Our favorite is in Tofino, with chances to spot the two separate species of orcas living along the island's coast.

Our Best Killer Whale (Orca) Tour: Grizzlies, Orcas and Black Bears Vancouver Island Road Trip

Humpback seen from a Brier Island Whale Watching tour in Nova Scotia | Credit: Brier Island Whale Watching

Where to see Humpback Whales

If you're looking to see humpback whales, it is best to visit Canada's East Coast. There, they can be seen on either whale-watching tours or from the land in Newfoundland and along the Bay of Fundy on a Nova Scotia vacation.

However, humpback whales are also common on Canada's West Coast, and both our previous guests and our team members have seen humpbacks on whale-watching tours from Victoria and Vancouver. If your tour is based primarily in the Canadian Rockies, humpback whales are still just a short trip away.

Our Best Humpback Whale Tour: Acadia Adventure | Atlantic Canada Road Trip

Beluga whale in the Hudson Bay | Credit: Churchill Wild

Where to see Beluga Whales

The best place to see beluga whales in Canada is in Churchill, Manitoba. In the summer, when the sea ice melts, belugas gather in the Hudson Bay to feed, mate, and give birth. While summer is not prime bear-viewing season, we love inviting guests during this time to show them everything Churchill has to offer.

Boat tours of the Hudson Bay are a common part of our summer polar bear packages, and give visitors this chance to see the other wildlife that lives in the Canadian Arctic.

Our Best Beluga Whale Tour: Birds, Bears and Belugas

Where to see Blue Whales

Blue whales are most common in the North Pacific. However, their range is much further south than Canadian waters, instead preferring the warmer waters around California and Central America.

If you're looking to see blue whales in Canada, the best place is in the Gulf and Estuary of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. The best time to see them is between April and December. Unfortunately, we do not offer tours to see blue whales.

Marine Mammals You'll See on Your Whale Watching Tour

Alongside whales, you will see a range of marine mammals on most whale-watching tours. Seeing more than just whales gives you a better look at the marine life that makes up the ecosystem that supports whales.

A sea otter seen from Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge | Credit: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

Where to see Sea Otters and River Otters

The most common otters to see on a whale-watching tour in Canada are river otters, which actually largely live in the sea.

Sea otters, on the other hand, are not commonly spotted on whale-watching tours, but can be seen in Vancouver Aquarium, where all were rescued as orphaned pups and cannot be released into the wild.

Sea lions seen from a tour from Tofino | Credit: Remote Passages

Where to see Seals and Sea Lions

Seals and sea lions are both regularly seen on whale-watching tours, and many tours from Vancouver, Victoria, and Tofino stop by rocks, islands, and bays where they are known to relax.

Other Animals to See in Canada

While bears and whales are among the most popular animals to see in Canada, moose, elk, beavers, and a wide range of other creatures complete the country's natural makeup.

Moose seen in the Canadian Rockies | Credit: Sundog Tours

Where to see Moose

Moose are known for being shy. As a result, they can be difficult to spot. The best places to see moose are places where bodies of water and wetlands meet forest — easy in the Canadian Rockies, where lakes and pine forest coincide — early in the morning. They typically stick to cooler areas and times of day, so they prioritize dawn before much traffic hits the road. This not only avoids them being driven deeper into the woodland by human activity, but also is when they are most active in looking for food.

Moose are also surprisingly strong swimmers, often diving over 15 feet deep to search for vegetation and becoming prey for orcas as a result. While we can't say you will see one on a whale-watching tour, we can't rule it out.

Elk by the Athabasca River | Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

Where to see Elk

The best place to see elk is in Jasper National Park, with them frequently wandering the townsite in addition to the surrounding regions. They are easily identified as they are much larger than deer, which also frequent the town.

Puffins on the Newfoundland coast | Credit: Timothy Holmes on Unsplash

Where to see Atlantic Puffins

Atlantic puffins line the coastline and islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and are most common in Newfoundland, where they are the provincial bird. Most coastal tours by boat or on foot will feature numerous puffins nesting on the cliffs or fishing in the ocean.

Bighorn Sheep seen in the Rockies | Credit: Sundog Tours

Where to see Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep are common throughout the Canadian Rockies. They are often spotted at the top of the Banff Gondola, along the Icefields Parkway, or on wildlife tours of the national parks. On a recent trip, our team encountered them on a wildlife tour from Jasper town to Maligne Lake, where they came over to lick the salt from the sides of their car.

Mountain goat seen in the Canadian Rockies

Where to see Mountain Goats

Most people who think they see mountain goats are really seeing sheep. But they look quite different. Once you know the difference, it is easy to tell them apart. Mountain goats have white fur and thin, straight horns. Bighorn sheep, on the other hand, have a sandy brown coat and thick, curved horns.

A Canada lynx | Credit: Kjell-Jostein Sivertsen on Unsplash

Where to see a Canada Lynx

Canada lynx live in boreal forests and across Canada — from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia to Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies. However, they are extremely shy, and few visitors will ever see one.

Canada lynx can be identified by the long tufted ears, black tails, and their large feet which help them walk on snow, all of which differentiate them from bobcats who live further south in America.

A beaver seen in Calgary | Credit: Igor Kyryliuk & Tetiana Kravchenko on Unsplash

Where to see Beavers

Beavers are Canada's national animal and, so, are truly iconic to see while here. Beavers can be spotted on lakes across the country, but Lost Lagoon or Beaver Lake in Stanley Park, Vancouver, is a great place to visit to see a beaver during your trip.

Where to see Canada Goose

Canada geese are not high on many visitors' must-see list, but are still an iconic Canadian creature nonetheless. You will likely encounter them along your trip, but a great place to see them intentionally is in Vancouver. Along English Bay and the surrounding Seawall, where they can be seen roaming the beach, enjoying dips in the ocean, and watching the sunset.

Best Places to Go Wildlife Watching in Canada

Canada is home to incredible wildlife-watching destinations from coast to coast.

The Great Bear Rainforest | Credit: Spirit Bear Lodge

British Columbia

British Columbia is the perfect wildlife destination as it is home to the Great Bear Rainforest, the only place on Earth where you can see a spirit bear.

The Great Bear Rainforest is home to more than just spirit bears, though.

Black bears, grizzly bears, and coastal wolves all share the land, and orcas, porpoises, seals, otters, and more swim the surrounding waters. It is the perfect destination for seeing a wide range of wildlife in one concentrated region, and an incredible introduction to the diverse ecosystem that makes up a coastal rainforest.

A coastal tour of Clayoquot Sound | Credit: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

Vancouver Island

A Vancouver Island road trip is perfect for seeing black bears and orcas, while staying at a luxury lodge like Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge gives you the opportunity to see more remote regions and the animals that inhabit them.

For a unique animal encounter, take the Alberni Highway on your drive from Victoria to Tofino and pass through Coombs, where the grass-topped Old Country Market sees two goats grazing on the roof between May and October each year.

Icefields Parkway drive | Credit: Gary Corken / Radventures

Banff National Park

Elk, bighorn sheep, and bears are all common in Banff National Park.

In Banff, you might see Bear No. 122, known by locals as The Boss. He rose to fame for his massive size — over 600 pounds — and for surviving being hit by two separate trains. The Boss is often seen in the Lower Bow Valley, along the Bow Valley Parkway, and along the rail tracks, where he eats grain that falls from the trains and hopes to avoid being hit (again...).

Bears on the road in Jasper National Park | Credit: Tourism Jasper

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park, particularly the Jasper townsite, is the best place to see elk in the Canadian Rockies. They can be spotted walking the streets and locals' yards at all hours of the day. Outside of town, you can also see goats and sheep in the alpine, moose by the lakes, and bears — both black and grizzly — wandering quiet roads and trails in mountain regions.

Humpback breaching in Newfoundland | Credit: Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism

Newfoundland & Labrador

The province of Newfoundland & Labrador is the best place in Canada to see whales — especially humpback whales — and Atlantic puffins. This is especially true on the island of Newfoundland.

Puffins nest on the cliffs around the Bonavista Peninsula and can be seen from both land and boat. You can spot them during ferry crossings, iceberg cruises, and dedicated whale-watching tours. But, if you're lucky, you can also often spot them from Newfoundland's shores, making it one of the best places in Canada to visit if you want to see a whale.

Wildlife-Watching Packages in Canada

At Canada By Design, we put you in the right place, at the right time. That means designing experiences around the wildlife you want to see, and elevating them with you in mind. Fairmont castles in the mountains and luxury fly-in safaris in the tundra are just another part of your day.

Black bear seen on a coastal tour from Tofino | Credit: Remote Passages

Canadian Rockies & Vancouver Island Road Trip

This 12-day itinerary has been designed with views in mind. And, with bear-viewing and whale-watching tours on Vancouver Island followed by nature walks, lake cruises, and the option for a bear safari once you reach the mainland, this is Canada's most iconic views and most iconic wildlife all in one trip.

As you move between waterfront hotels on the Island and castles in the Canadian Rockies, be sure that your time between wildlife viewing will be spent in the utmost comfort.

Spirit bear seen near Spirit Bear Lodge

Spirit Bears of the Great Bear Rain Forest | Spirit Bear Lodge

Our partnership with Spirit Bear Lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest allows us to welcome you into the remote habitat of the spirit bear through an intimate stay with the true locals — the Indigenous Kitasoo Xai’xais People. And, while you're there, grizzlies, whales, and the other inhabitants of the British Columbia rainforest will welcome you too.

Polar bear by the fence of Seal River Heritage Lodge | Credit: Churchill Wild

Birds, Bears, and Belugas | Seal River Heritage Lodge

If you're looking for a truly life-changing vacation, consider booking a polar bear tour with Canada By Design. On this tour, we position you just right so that you can see the variety of life in both the Arctic tundra and the Hudson Bay. And the chance to stay in a fly-in lodge miles from the closest human settlement.

We offer both adventure tours and luxury fly-in safaris in Churchill. Each offers safe and unforgettable chances to get up close with the bears.

Two humpbacks in Newfoundland | Credit: ACAT

Atlantic Canada Road Trip | Coastal Quest

On a trip to Canada's East Coast, ferry-hopping between New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland is only the beginning. A dedicated whale-watching tour along the Bay of Fundy, an iceberg cruise from Newfoundland, and a 4-hour coastal drive around Cape Breton all introduce you to the Atlantic Ocean with intention. The purpose? Wildlife.

Wildlife seen by the Canada By Design team

Design Your Wildlife Vacation with Canada By Design

Reach out to a Travel Designer to begin planning your wildlife-viewing vacation. If you're still deciding, subscribe to our newsletter for more travel inspiration.

Working with Canada By Design means one-on-one support from your own travel expert who will create your trip — every step, designed just for you. And, once you're here, we'll give you on-the-ground assistance whenever you need. Whether a several-week cross-country rail adventure or a brief wilderness lodge getaway, each experience is delivered with our signature care.

FAQ

What are the best places to see wildlife in Alberta or BC?

In Alberta, the best places to see wildlife are Jasper National Park and the Jasper townsite. Animals like elk are common in and around the town, but to have the best chance of spotting them, we strongly recommend taking wildlife tours with local guides. This gives you access to insider knowledge about the region and its inhabitants.

In BC, the best place to see wildlife is on a marine tour from Vancouver Island, or by staying at a wilderness lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest.

What are the Canadian national animals?

Canada has one national animal species: the beaver. But there are separate symbolic birds, animals, and fish for each province across the country. These include: spirit bears and Pacific salmon in British Columbia; bighorn sheep and great horned owls in Alberta; and Atlantic puffins and woodland caribou in Newfoundland and Labrador.

What is Canada's most iconic animal?

The most iconic animals in Canada are the bear, the moose, and the beaver. While beavers are the national animal, bears and moose are some of the most desirable animals to see during a vacation.

Which animal is only found in Canada?

Several animals only live in Canada. This includes the spirit bear, eastern wolf, Vancouver Island marmot, and Pacific Steller's jay. However, most uniquely Canadian animals are insects that most have never heard of.

Where to See Canadian Animals on Your Vacation