Whale and Bear Watching Holidays in Canada
Canada contains some of the world's greatest untamed lands. Its beautiful wilderness is home to three of the eight species of bear - black, brown (or grizzly), and polar bear. These vast areas are the bears' last stronghold, and Canada is undoubtedly the best place on the planet to see them. Off Canada's west coast, the nutrient-rich waters around the islands of British Columbia attract whales and dolphins aplenty.
Here you'll find a selection of itineraries based on our favourite routes through Canada - from classic self-drive trips to trips designed to show you the best of the country's marine and terrestrial wildlife, and some of the best stand-alone lodges. With our advice, you'll have the best wildlife watching holiday imaginable!
Suggested itineraries
See also: Tailor-made holidays
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21st anniversary - Spirit Bears & Wilderness Whales - 11 days
A luxury voyage through British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest accompanied by photographer and wildlife expert Nick Garbutt.
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Canada's Big Five - 9 days
This unique safari is a showcase for the incredible array of wildlife of Manitoba in central Canada - black bear, moose, bison, beluga whale and polar bear.
Tour type: Group | More -
Classic Polar Bears - 7/8 days
Seeing polar bears in the wild is awe-inspiring. This tour allows you to get close to these magnificent creatures from the warmth and safety of a specially-designed tundra vehicle.
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Great Bear Rainforest - 12 days
British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest is complex maze of forested islands and waterways overlooked by towering mountains - a wilderness alive with wildlife. This small ship adventure visits the la…
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Newfoundland Adventure - 9 days
Experience the world's largest gathering of humpback whales and a range of marine wildlife amidst giant landscapes.
Tour type: Group | More -
Orcas, Bears and Totems - 10 days
Discover the beautiful archipelago and abundant wildlife off the northern coast of Vancouver Island.
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Polar Bear Mother and Cubs - 8 days
Enjoy the antics of polar bear cubs and gain an insight into family life when summer brings brief respite from the icy cold on the remote coastline of Hudson Bay.
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Tundra Lodge Adventure - 8 days
This is an extraordinary adventure to see polar bears. You'll stay in the Tundra Lodge, a mobile hotel that moves around the arctic tundra, according to the highest bear density at the beginning of …
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Whale Study Week - 7 days
This Whale Study Week lets you hang out with humpbacks and come to know these curious and acrobatic giants, whilst helping with research.
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Whales & Dolphins in the Haida Gwaii - 11 or 12 days
Sail the Queen Charlotte Islands and visit Gwaii Haanas National Park aboard 'Island Roamer'.
Tour type: Group | More -
Humpback Whales in Newfoundland (self-drive)
St John's, Newfoundland makes a great base for a long weekend, and this self-drive trip includes whale watching excursions
Tour type: Tailor-made | More -
Northern Right Whales of New Brunswick (self-drive)
A short self-drive break to New Brunswick, where you'll have the opportunity to see minke, fin, humpback and North Atlantic right whales
Tour type: Tailor-made | More -
Quebec's Bears, Whales & Moose - self-drive
A self-drive trip in one of the most beautiful regions of Canada, discovering unspoilt wilderness and a variety of wildlife, including black bear, moose and beaver.
Tour type: Tailor-made | More -
Whales & Mountains - self-drive
The ultimate self-drive road trip through western Canada includes the celebrated Rocky Mountains and Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island, famed for its whale watching.
Tour type: Tailor-made | More -
The Bear Essentials
Experience the thrill of taking a floatplane out to an isolated lodge to watch grizzly bears along tidal riverbanks in the dense primeval forests of British Columbia.
Tour type: Tailor-made | More
