Canada's vast wilderness areas provide habitat for an incredible diversity of wildlife. From iconic polar bears to majestic whales, the country offers some of the world's most extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities. This guide will help you discover where and when to see Canada's most magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.
Iconic Canadian Wildlife
Polar Bears
Best Location: Churchill, Manitoba
Best Time: October to November
Known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World," Churchill offers the most accessible polar bear viewing anywhere. Each autumn, approximately 900 polar bears gather near Churchill as they wait for Hudson Bay to freeze, allowing them to hunt seals on the ice. Specialized tundra vehicles take visitors safely into the bears' territory for close encounters with these magnificent predators.
For the truly adventurous, summer boat tours (July-August) sometimes spot polar bears swimming or wandering along the shoreline. Several operators offer multi-day trips with experienced guides and naturalists who provide insight into polar bear behavior and conservation.
Grizzly Bears
Best Locations: Great Bear Rainforest (BC), Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary (BC), Banff and Jasper National Parks (Alberta)
Best Times: Spring (May-June) for coastal bears feeding on sedge grasses and clams; Fall (August-October) for bears fishing for salmon
The Great Bear Rainforest on British Columbia's central coast offers exceptional opportunities to view grizzlies fishing for salmon in the fall. Tour operators offer boat-based viewing or guided trips to specialized viewing platforms along rivers.
Khutzeymateen, Canada's first grizzly bear sanctuary, protects one of the highest concentrations of grizzlies in North America. Access is strictly controlled, with visitors allowed only on guided boat tours from Prince Rupert.
In the Rocky Mountains, the best grizzly viewing is often in spring when bears emerge from hibernation and feed in avalanche slopes and valley bottoms. The Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park is a good place to spot bears from your vehicle (while maintaining a safe distance).
Black Bears
Best Locations: Throughout forested regions of Canada, particularly Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario), Pacific Rim National Park (BC), and Cape Breton Highlands National Park (Nova Scotia)
Best Time: May to October
More widespread than grizzlies, black bears can be seen throughout most of Canada's forested regions. Early morning and evening are typically the best times for sightings. In national and provincial parks, watch for bears along roadways, particularly where forest meets meadows. Always maintain a safe distance and never feed bears.
Whales
Pacific Coast (British Columbia)
- Orcas (Killer Whales): Best seen May to October near Vancouver Island, particularly in the Johnstone Strait and off Victoria
- Gray Whales: Migrate along the coast from March to April
- Humpback Whales: Common from May to October
The waters around Vancouver Island offer some of the most reliable orca watching in the world, with resident pods that feed primarily on salmon. Tofino and Ucluelet on the island's west coast are excellent bases for whale watching tours.
Atlantic Coast (Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland)
- Minke, Fin, and Humpback Whales: Best seen June to September
- Blue Whales: The Gulf of St. Lawrence (particularly the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park in Quebec) offers rare opportunities to see the world's largest animal
- Belugas: The St. Lawrence Estuary near Tadoussac, Quebec houses a resident population
The nutrient-rich waters of the Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia support 12 species of whales during summer months. Boat tours depart from St. Andrews (NB), Grand Manan Island (NB), Brier Island (NS), and other coastal communities.
In Newfoundland, the coastal town of Twillingate offers excellent humpback viewing, along with icebergs in early summer.
Moose
Best Locations: Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario), Cape Breton Highlands National Park (Nova Scotia), Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland)
Best Time: May to October, particularly at dawn and dusk
As North America's largest deer species, moose are an impressive sight with males sporting massive antlers that can span 6 feet. They're often spotted feeding in wetlands and lakes, particularly in early morning and evening.
In Algonquin Park, try the Highway 60 corridor in spring and fall. Cape Breton Highlands' famous Cabot Trail often yields moose sightings, while Newfoundland has one of the highest moose populations in the world.
Woodland Caribou
Best Locations: Northern forests from Newfoundland to British Columbia, particularly Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland) and Jasper National Park (Alberta)
Best Time: Winter months when caribou move to lower elevations
Once abundant across northern Canada, woodland caribou have declined significantly and are now listed as threatened. The Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland offers one of the best opportunities to see these animals, while in winter, the Maligne Lake Road in Jasper National Park is a good location.
Bison
Best Locations: Wood Buffalo National Park (Alberta/NWT), Elk Island National Park (Alberta), Prince Albert National Park (Saskatchewan)
Best Time: Year-round, but best visibility in winter when trees are bare
Once numbering in the millions, bison were nearly exterminated by the late 1800s. Conservation efforts have restored limited populations, with Wood Buffalo National Park protecting the world's largest free-roaming herd of wood bison. Elk Island National Park near Edmonton offers almost guaranteed sightings of both wood and plains bison.
Wolves
Best Locations: Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario), Riding Mountain National Park (Manitoba)
Best Time: Winter months
Wolf sightings are rare, but Algonquin Park offers a unique opportunity through organized wolf howls in August (when park naturalists howl and wild wolves often reply). In winter, wolves are more visible against the snow. Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba sometimes yields sightings along the park's road system in early morning.
Bird Watching
Bald Eagles
Best Locations: Brackendale (BC), Bay of Fundy (NB/NS)
Best Time: Brackendale - December to February; Bay of Fundy - year-round
Brackendale, near Squamish, BC, hosts one of North America's largest concentrations of bald eagles during winter salmon runs. The Squamish River estuary can host over 1,000 eagles in peak season. On the Atlantic coast, the Bay of Fundy supports significant eagle populations year-round.
Puffins
Best Locations: Witless Bay Ecological Reserve (Newfoundland), Machias Seal Island (New Brunswick)
Best Time: May to August
Atlantic puffins nest on islands off Canada's east coast during summer months. Witless Bay, just south of St. John's, Newfoundland, hosts North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony with more than 260,000 pairs. Boat tours operate daily in summer.
Snowy Owls
Best Locations: Southern prairies and farmlands in winter, particularly areas near Calgary, Winnipeg, and Montreal
Best Time: December to March
These magnificent Arctic owls migrate south in winter, sometimes appearing in significant numbers in Canada's southern regions. Areas with open fields resembling their native tundra are most likely to attract them.
Marine Life
Salmon Runs
Best Locations: Adams River (BC), Campbell River (BC), Goldstream Provincial Park (BC)
Best Time: Late September to November
The annual migration of Pacific salmon from ocean to spawning grounds is one of nature's most impressive spectacles. The Adams River sockeye run (peaking every four years, next in 2026) can see millions of bright red salmon filling the riverbed. The Goldstream River near Victoria offers accessibility from the provincial capital.
Belugas
Best Locations: Churchill River (Manitoba), St. Lawrence Estuary (Quebec)
Best Time: June to August
Each summer, approximately 60,000 beluga whales gather in Hudson Bay, with many entering the Churchill River. Boat tours, kayaking tours, and even snorkeling with these curious white whales are available. The St. Lawrence population can be viewed from boat tours departing from Tadoussac, Quebec.
Wildlife Viewing Tips
Ethical Wildlife Viewing
- Maintain appropriate distances (100m/330ft for predators, 30m/100ft for other large mammals)
- Never feed wild animals
- Use binoculars or telephoto lenses rather than approaching animals
- Move slowly and quietly, speak in hushed tones
- Stay on designated trails and viewing platforms
- Follow all park regulations and guide instructions
What to Bring
- Binoculars (8x42 or 10x42 recommended for wildlife viewing)
- Camera with telephoto lens
- Field guides for local wildlife
- Insect repellent (essential in summer)
- Appropriate clothing (layers, rain gear, comfortable footwear)
- Plenty of water and snacks
Guided Tours vs. Independent Viewing
While many animals can be spotted independently, specialized wildlife like polar bears, grizzlies, and whales are best seen with professional guides who:
- Know where and when to find specific species
- Provide specialized equipment and safe viewing platforms
- Offer expert interpretation of animal behavior
- Follow best practices for ethical wildlife viewing
- Have access to protected areas not open to individual visitors
Wildlife Photography Tips
- Use the longest lens you can comfortably handle
- Shoot in early morning or late afternoon for best light
- Use a tripod or monopod for stability
- Learn about your subject's behavior to anticipate action
- Focus on the animal's eyes
- Include some habitat in your composition to tell a story
- Be patient and persistent
Conservation Awareness
While enjoying Canada's wildlife, it's important to recognize the challenges many species face. Climate change, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict threaten numerous Canadian species. Many tour operators contribute to conservation efforts, and visitors can support these initiatives by:
- Choosing eco-certified tour operators
- Supporting conservation organizations like the Canadian Wildlife Federation
- Learning about and advocating for endangered species
- Practicing Leave No Trace principles when in natural areas
- Reporting wildlife sightings to citizen science projects
Planning Your Wildlife Adventure
Canada's immense size means that wildlife enthusiasts should typically focus on one region or species per trip. Consider these factors when planning:
- Research peak seasons for your target species
- Book specialized tours well in advance, especially for popular experiences like polar bear watching
- Allow sufficient time in each location (wildlife viewing requires patience)
- Consider weather conditions and necessary gear
- Combine wildlife viewing with other activities in the region
Whether you're marveling at a breaching humpback whale off Newfoundland, watching grizzlies fish for salmon in British Columbia, or experiencing the awe of seeing polar bears on the tundra, Canada's wildlife offers unforgettable encounters with the natural world. With proper planning, respect for the animals, and a spirit of adventure, your Canadian wildlife experience will create memories to last a lifetime.
