Top Spots for Wildlife Viewing in Canada: Encounter Spirit Bears and Whales

Top Spots for Wildlife Viewing in Canada: Encounter Spirit Bears and Whales

Navigate the breathtaking landscapes of Canada to witness an impressive assortment of rare and endangered wildlife. Here are some incredible spots to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures:

1. Stumble upon ethereal Spirit Bears in the Great Bear Rainforest, British ColumbiaThe Spirit Bear, also known as the Kermode bear, is a rare black bear subspecies with a unique genetic mutation that causes its fur to shimmer white. The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the best places on Earth to spot these ghostly creatures. Up about 150 of these bears roam the territory, making it an exclusive encounter for the fortunate few.

Claire's pro tip: Even if you don't spot the spirit bear, the sprawling rainforest and coastal shorelines are home to grizzly bears, 20% of the world's wild salmon, sea otters, coastal wolves, black bears, bald eagles, and whales!

1. Encounters with Bison - Elk Island and Wood Buffalo, Alberta/Northwest TerritoriesArguably, the bison is the most crucial creature in Canada, historically vital to Indigenous communities. Tens of thousands of these shaggy animals were hunted to near extinction across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Today, reintroduction programs see their numbers growing once more. Wood Buffalo National Park is home to half of the world's endangered wood bison population. However, Elk Island National Park, just a short 35-minute drive east of Edmonton, offers more accessible sightings for those on an Alberta wildlife adventure. By driving the park's Bison Loop Road during dawn, dusk, or overcast days, you'll stand a better chance of catching a memory-worthy view.
2. Behold the Humpback Whales on the shores of Newfoundland and LabradorFrom May to October, more than 30,000 humpback whales return to the waters off Newfoundland and Labrador, making up the world's largest humpback whale population. Late July and August are the prime seasons to witness these mesmerizing giants, but you might also have the chance to spot minke, pilot, fin, sperm, orca, and blue whales.
3. Journey to Churchill, Manitoba, to be awestruck by the mighty Polar BearsChurchill, a small town in northern Manitoba with just 900 residents, is renowned worldwide as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World". Its unique geographical location along the migratory path of polar bears makes it one of the top spots to observe these magnificent creatures. Specialist tank-like tundra buggies offer a safe and exciting way to observe them during peak viewing season, which lasts from October to November when sea ice forms. However, polar bears can also be spotted during the off-peak summer months thanks to companies like Nanuk Operations leading boating trips as early as August.

Claire's pro tip: The town of Churchill is also home to 60,000 beluga whales that meet in the waters between June and October. Don't miss the chance to experience kayaking or zodiac tours to get up-close views of these incredible creatures. If you're keen for a more remote experience, a flight to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge will offer rare opportunities to observe cloud wolves, a species so little disturbed by humans that they have little fear of our presence.

1. Experience the thrill of encountering Grey Whales, orcas, and sea otters on Vancouver Island, British ColumbiaHome to towering peaks, mystical forests, and an abundance of wildlife, Vancouver Island draws visitors with its raw natural beauty. From February to April, more than 20,000 Pacific Grey whales pass the Island on their northern migratory route. Visit between April and October to spot humpback whales breaching, and orca hunting year-round. Boat tours like Vancouver Island Whale Watch, with a focus on conservation, offer exciting encounters with a variety of whales, as well as sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and porpoises. For a chance to see sea otters, Indigenous-owned Coastal Rainforest Safaris departs from Port Hardy in the north.

Claire's pro tip: Can't visit the Island? Whale-watching tours are also available from Vancouver. For the adventurous, bear-watching tours from the Island's northern areas explore the Great Bear Rainforest to spot grizzlies as well.

1. Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario - the land of the gangly-legged, shaggy-faced MooseThe mysterious moose, the largest of the deer species, can be a challenge to spot due to their elusive nature. But Algonquin Provincial Park, located just a three-hour drive from both Toronto and Ottawa, is considered prime moose territory. Home to an estimated 3,000 moose, the park is best visited during spring and fall when they are most active. For the best viewing opportunities, drive along Highway 60, particularly during the early summer months.

In addition to moose, you might catch a glimpse of black bears, wolves, and deer.

1. Discover the splendor of Belugas, walrus, and narwhal in the frozen tundra of NunavutThe mystique of narwhals, with their famed single horn, has sparked tales of hidden oceanic realms and mermaids since ancient times. In the summer, you can witness these elusive creatures from the shore at destinations such as Lancaster Sound, Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, and Naujaat. Speaking of tusks, walrus are abundant in Nunavut, with the shores of Pond Inlet and Naujaat among the top spots for viewing. From July to August, thousands of beluga whales gather in Hudson Bay to mate and nurse their young. Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge offers a once-in-a-lifetime base from which to explore this mesmerizing region.

Engage in an exquisite home-and-garden experience by visiting Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, a prime location for spotting the mysterious and elusive moose, often referred to as the largest of the deer species. Post your home-and-garden adventures, delve into a thrilling travel escapade by observing the captivating humpback whales that return to the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador from May to October.

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