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Wildlife Locations

51 recommended locations. Please contact us for further suggestions.

Banff National Park

Canada’s oldest national park, first protected in 1885, Banff National Park is also one of Canada’s most popular. With snow-capped peaks towering over glistening emerald lakes, including the ever photographic Lake Louise, the park is home to iconic wildlife including grizzly and black bears. Find Out More

  • Where: Alberta
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, American black bear, caribou, Columbian ground squirrel, coyote
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Birdwatching ,

Bay of Fundy

One of the marine wonders of the world, the Bay of Fundy boasts the world’s highest tides, a distinctly scenic coastline, and one of the North Atlantic’s highest concentrations of whales and seabirds. Humpback, minke, and the rare North Atlantic right whale are amongst the species to be seen here. Find Out More

  • Where: New Brunswick
  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, harbour porpoise, bald eagle, fin whale, North Atlantic right whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching , Wildlife festivals, Mark Carwardine wildlife holidays

Canadian Arctic

The Canadian Arctic is a mesmerising expanse of icy wonder where wildlife thrives amidst breathtaking scenery. Polar bears roam the landscape, while whales glide through the crystal-like waters. Caribou and musk oxen navigate the stark terrain alongside resilient Inuit communities. Find Out More

  • Where: Canadian Arctic
  • Ideal for viewing: polar bear, beluga whale, walrus, bowhead whale, black-legged kittiwake
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Polar bear watching, Birdwatching , Wildlife cruises

Cariboo Mountains Provincial Park

Cariboo Mountains Provincial Park is a true wilderness, dominated by high serrated peaks and glaciers, and densely forested valleys featuring attractive lakes and lush wetlands. Its extensive undeveloped landscape provides critical habitat for a number of wildlife species including grizzlies and rare mountain caribou. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, caribou, moose, lynx, American black bear
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Rare mammal watching , River safaris

Chatham Sound

This inlet between the Haida Gwaii (a.k.a. Queen Charlotte Islands) and Dall Island, extends from Porcher Island north to Portland Inlet. Up to 24 kilometres wide, it runs from Dundas Island to the Tsimpsean Peninsula, and is home to an abundance of fish, resulting in a high number of grizzlies feeding in summer. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, minke whale, orca, Dall’s porpoise, grey whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife cruises, River safaris

Churchill

Churchill is known as the ‘Polar Bear and Beluga Whale Capital of the World’ and lies right in the migratory path of polar bears, as they head north onto the ice floes to spend the winter hunting seals. Situated in Northern Manitoba, the coastline here is so remote that it has not changed in thousands of years. Find Out More

  • Where: Manitoba
  • Ideal for viewing: Arctic fox, polar bear, ptarmigan, snowy owl, gyrfalcon
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Polar bear watching , Vehicle safaris

Digby

With its dramatic coastline, lighthouses, coves and inlets, seal colony, birding and whale watching opportunities, Digby overlooks the beautiful Bay of Fundy and has daily ferry service links Nova Scotia with Saint John, New Brunswick. The town is famed for its fresh scallops and lobster. Find Out More

  • Where: Nova Scotia
  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, minke whale, fin whale, grey seal, harbour porpoise
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Self-drive

Fishing Branch River Ni’iinlii Njik Territorial Park

This is the territory of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, who know the Fishing Branch river as Ni’iinlii Njik: 'the place where salmon spawn'. For them this is a sacred place, and in 1999, they established the 6,500 square kilometre territorial park to protect the river, which now attracts huge numbers of grizzly bears Find Out More

  • Where: Yukon
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, moose, grey wolf, wolverine, bald eagle
  • Excellent for: Bear watching ,

Glendale Cove, Knight Inlet

This untouched wilderness offers unrivalled opportunities to watch and photograph some of North America's most notable wildlife, including massive brown bears, soaring bald eagles and large pods of orcas. Situated 70 kilometres north of Campbell River, Glendale Cove is accessible by floatplane. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: American black bear, brown bear, humpback whale, orca, pine marten
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching , Wildlife cruises, Wildlife festivals, Mark Carwardine wildlife holidays

Grand Manan Island

Nutrient rich waters surrounding this, the largest of the Fundy Islands, provide a haven for seabirds, seals and whales. Cetacean species include humpback, the North Atlantic right whale, harbour porpoise and white-sided dolphin. Over 360 species of land, shore and sea birds have been identified here. Find Out More

  • Where: New Brunswick
  • Ideal for viewing: North Atlantic right whale, humpback whale, minke whale, Atlantic puffin, Atlantic white sided dolphin
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

Gwaii Haanas National Park

Arguably one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world, Gwaii Haanas National Park is a remote reserve of 138 islands in the southern Haida Gwaii. The park – a place of wonder – is an untamed wilderness, home to a superb array of marine life and land species, including the humpback whale. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: blue whale, humpback whale, minke whale, orca, sperm whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife cruises

Haida Gwaii

The peaks of the seven largest islands of this archipelago rise like a submerged mountain chain, with the tallest perpetually capped in snow. Fiords plunge into the sea, misty forests cover their flanks and windswept sandy beaches lie at their feet and the continental shelf plummets into the Pacific Ocean. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: blue whale, humpback whale, minke whale, orca, sperm whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife cruises

Hudson Bay

The Hudson Bay Lowlands are a wetland, and serve as part of the migration route for polar bears heading south. An area of transition between boreal forest and tundra, Hudson Bay is host to a large diversity of wildlife, the greatest occurring in the spring, with the arrival of migrating birds and newborn animals. Find Out More

  • Where: Manitoba
  • Ideal for viewing: American beaver, American black bear, polar bear, willow ptarmigan, caribou
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Polar bear watching , Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris

Jasper National Park

The largest of the national parks in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park offers a quieter alternative to its more famous neighbour, Banff. With numerous trails to explore within the park, Jasper offers the chance to search for numerous mammal species in a truly unique wilderness setting. Find Out More

  • Where: Alberta
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, American black bear, moose, caribou, cougar
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Birdwatching ,

Kananaskis Country

Extending southeast of Banff National Park, Kananaskis Country is a system of provincial parks creating a 4,000 square kilometre rural area. Encompassing the front range mountains and foothills of the Canadian Rockies, these parks are home to abundant wildlife and spectacular flora. Find Out More

  • Ideal for viewing: white-tailed deer, moose, bighorn sheep, brown bear, pika

Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary

The sanctuary of Khutzeymateen comprises the land that surrounds the inlet of the same name on British Columbia’s north coast. This area, which was important to the First Nations peoples as a place for hunting and fishing, was the first habitat of the grizzly bear to be protected in Canada. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, American black bear, American beaver, moose, grey wolf
  • Excellent for: Bear watching , Wildlife cruises

Mingan Islands

Ten hours drive east of Quebec City, the Mingan Archipelago is a fantastic location for whale enthusiasts. Its estuary, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, with its huge shoals of plankton and fish, attracts congregations of the elusive blue, minke, fin, and humpback whales, as well as the endangered beluga whale. Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Ideal for viewing: blue whale, minke whale, fin whale, beluga whale, humpback whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching ,

Moresby Island

One of the two largest islands that form the Haida Gwaii, the San Cristobal Mountains form its backbone and rise over 1,200 metres. The higher elevations are dominated by mountain hemlock and alpine tundra, whereas the lower elevations are mainly cedar, pine and western hemlock, becoming densely wooded. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: blue whale, humpback whale, minke whale, orca, sperm whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife cruises

Nakina – Inklin Rivers (Yawu Yaa) Conservancy

Nakina – Inklin Rivers (Yáwu Yaa) Conservancy is located approximately 70 kilometres south of Atlin and encompasses protected fish and wildlife habitats. This truly wild and remote area is criss-crossed with streams heavy with spawning salmon – a magnet for the magnificent grizzly bear. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, bald eagle, American beaver, grey wolf, moose
  • Excellent for: Bear watching , Wildlife photography, Photography tours With Nick Garbutt

New Brunswick

Connect with wildlife in its natural environment. Abundant bird species are present here – from Atlantic puffins to bald eagles – as well as mammals such as moose, black bear and whales. The Bay of Fundy is a haven for fin, minke and the rare right whale, seabirds, and harbour and grey seals. Find Out More

  • Ideal for viewing: humpback whale, American black bear, moose, harbour seal, Atlantic puffin
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

Newfoundland

Each year large numbers of whale, dolphins and porpoises migrate to the waters around the Newfoundland coast – about 15 species are normally present, seasonally or year round. St. Mary’s Bay is well-known for whale watching, and is easy to reach on a self-drive tour from the capital, St John’s. Find Out More

  • Where: Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Ideal for viewing: fin whale, humpback whale, minke whale, pilot whale, sperm whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Self-drive

Pacific Rim National Park

Facing the Pacific Ocean, backed by Vancouver Island’s mountainous spine, this park preserves the natural heritage of Canada’s west coast, whose cool maritime climate generates an abundance of life on land and in the water. Interwoven with these natural wonders is the history of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. Find Out More

  • Where: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, humpback whale, orca, bald eagle, wolf
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching , Walking safaris

Parc National de la Gaspésie

The Parc National de la Gaspésie is home to the highest peaks of the Appalachian Mountains in Québec, the only caribou herd south of the Saint Lawrence, a large moose population, arctic-alpine flora and spectacular scenery on every side! Over 150 species of bird are found in the park. Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Ideal for viewing: great horned owl, moose, caribou, grey fox, striped skunk
  • Excellent for: Walking safaris, Wildlife for families, Self-drive

Parc National du Bic

The Parc National du Bic hosts nesting seabirds, as well as owls and grey seals. Half of the park is a coastal marine environment; the terrain is typical of the south shore of the Saint Lawrence, alternating low-flow rivers, salt, rocky hills with a very steep northern slope and a relatively gentle southern. Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Ideal for viewing: grey seal, white-tailed deer, American beaver, harbour seal, North American porcupine
  • Excellent for: Whale watching , Walking safaris, Wildlife for families, Self-drive

Princess Royal Island

Isolated for thousands of years, this amazing wilderness off the BC coast is one of the most pristine areas left on earth – at the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. In summer its wildlife is prolific, and whale watching excursions provides an ideal opportunity to learn about these marine mammals. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: Dall’s porpoise, humpback whale, orca, Pacific white-sided dolphin, spirit bear
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife cruises

Queen Charlotte Strait & Johnstone Waters

Situated between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland, this area is considered the best place in the world to observe orca who, during the summer months, are present on a daily basis. They can often be viewed close up from the boat, offering some wonderful sightings and photo opportunities. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: orca, brown bear, Steller’s sealion, tufted puffin, humpback whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife cruises

Reserve des Laurentides

This pristine wilderness north of Québec along the Jacques-Cartier River consists of coniferous boreal forest, with yellow birch and sugar maple along the riverbank. Mammals include black bear, bobcat, raccoon, grey wolf, otter, moose, white-tailed deer and caribou, with birds such as barred owl and American kestrel. Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Ideal for viewing: American black bear, grey wolf, moose, raven, ruffed grouse
  • Excellent for: Bear watching ,

Réserve Faunique Matane

Recognised first and foremost for its exceptionally rich wildlife, this wildlife reserve offers nearly 1,300 square kilometres of breathtaking panoramas, with mountains and deep valleys crisscrossed by numerous waterways. Over 150 species of birds can be seen in Réserve Faunique Matane. Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Ideal for viewing: golden eagle, moose, American black bear, black-backed woodpecker, caribou
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Birdwatching , Wildlife for families, Self-drive

Riding Mountain National Park

Northwest of Winnipeg, this national park – one of the first in Canada – is a forested island in the middle of Manitoba’s fertile prairie, and protects plants and animals from three distinct ecosystems. Key species are moose, black bear and bison, but lynx, cougar, otter, bald eagle and osprey also live here. Find Out More

  • Where: Manitoba
  • Ideal for viewing: American black bear, moose, ruby-throated hummingbird, short-tailed weasel, otter
  • Excellent for: Bear watching ,

Saguenay Fjord National Park

Located in Quebec’s Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, this national park runs along the eastern end of the Saguenay River where it adjoins the Saguenay – St. Lawrence Marine Park. The combination of fresh water from Lac-Saint-Jean and the St Lawrence River‘s salty waters makes it ideal for marine and wildlife. Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Ideal for viewing: beluga whale, American beaver, peregrine falcon, moose, blue whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching , Wildlife for families, Self-drive, River safaris

Salish Sea

British Columbia has an incredibly diverse and thriving population of resident and migratory marine mammals – whales, dolphins, seals, porpoises and sea lions. The Salish Sea is a favourite destination to see orca, with pods J, K and L probably the most written-about and photographed killer whales on earth. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: orca, Steller’s sealion, bald eagle, harbour porpoise, harbour seal
  • Excellent for: Whale watching , Wildlife photography

St Andrews

Canada’s oldest seaside resort is a charming, small town directly on the banks of the Bay of Fundy. With numerous whale watching operators based here, it's the ideal base from which to search for these incredible creatures of the deep, along with seals, birds and other wildlife. Find Out More

  • Where: New Brunswick
  • Ideal for viewing: minke whale, humpback whale, fin whale, North Atlantic right whale, harbour porpoise
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching , Self-drive

Tadoussac

This small town on the Saint Lawrence, beside its confluence with the Saguenay River, was once a major fur trapping centre. It lies inside Canada’s first marine national park, where the rich environment attracts numerous whales – including belugas – and is home to CIMM (the Centre of Marine Mammal Interpretation). Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Ideal for viewing: beluga whale, blue whale, fin whale, humpback whale, minke whale
  • Excellent for: Whale watching ,

The Great Bear Rainforest

The area’s mountains, valleys and forests, extending up much of BC’s coastline, offer sanctuary to large numbers of grizzlies and black bear. No other mainland location offers such intimate wildlife encounters amidst breathtaking natural splendour. You can watch bears on foot or while drifting downriver. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: American black bear, brown bear, humpback whale, spirit bear, grey wolf
  • Excellent for: Bear watching , Wildlife cruises, Wildlife festivals, Wildlife photography, Mark Carwardine wildlife holidays

The Yukon River

The Yukon River is the third largest river in North America, but arguably the continent’s most spectacular waterway, with breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife along its entire length. Yukon means 'great river' in the native Gwich’in language, and there is simply no better way to describe it. Find Out More

  • Where: Yukon
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, American black bear, northern river otter, golden eagle, Canadian lynx

Tofino

The small town of Tofino lies on the west coast of Vancouver Island, at the southern edge of Clayoquot Sound. It is a popular destination for anyone wanting to enjoy whale watching, particularly in March when the migration of thousands of grey whales is celebrated at the Pacific Rim Whale Festival. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: otter, bald eagle, orca, humpback whale, American black bear
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching, Dolphin watching ,

Vancouver Island

The healthy black bear population and whale-watching opportunities make Vancouver Island a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Separated from the mainland by a long strait, the island’s west coast overlooks the Pacific Ocean, while the mountainous interior is heavily forested with big conifers. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Ideal for viewing: American black bear, puma, grey whale, orca, sea otter
  • Excellent for: Whale watching, Bear watching, Dolphin watching , Wildlife photography, Self-drive

Yoho National Park

Yoho – the Cree word for ‘awe’ or ‘wonder’ – is particularly appropriate for the spectacular scenery of this national park. The smallest of the Rocky Mountains national parks, what Yoho may lack in size, it more than makes up for with its wildlife, towering mountains, waterfalls and glacial lakes. Find Out More

  • Where: British Colombia
  • Ideal for viewing: American beaver, North American porcupine, moose, hoary marmot, mountain goat

Yukon Territory

The Yukon borders Alaska on its western edge and British Columbia to the south, and is one of three Canadian territories (rather than provinces). The entire region is dominated by pristine wilderness, home to many of North America’s iconic animals, such as black bear and brown bear, and the mighty Yukon River. Find Out More

  • Where: Yukon
  • Ideal for viewing: brown bear, American black bear, grey wolf, Canadian lynx, golden eagle
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Wolf watching , Self-drive

Quebec City

This monument to North American history perches high above Cap Diamant overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. Having prospered as a fur trading post in the early 1600s, it is now a dynamic port and a thriving research centre. The Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Find Out More

  • Where: Québec
  • Excellent for: City stopover, History & culture

Calgary

One of the main international gateways to the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, the city of Calgary has a young, vibrant feel alongside its cattle-ranching ‘Old West’ cowboy history of which it is fiercely proud and which is showcased in July during the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Find Out More

  • Where: Alberta
  • Excellent for: Activity & adventure, City stopover, History & culture

Campbell River

Nestled on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, the small settlement of Campbell River is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World" and more recently as a hub for adventure and eco-tourism. Surrounded by streams and lush green forests, it serves as a gateway to some of the island's bear watching lodges. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Excellent for: Activity & adventure

Carmacks

Carmacks is a tiny village standing on the Yukon River at its confluence with the Nordenskjold River, roughly 180 kilometres north of Whitehorse on the North Klondike Highway. Home to the Little Salmon First Nations, it is also a gateway to some of Yukon's most spectacular scenery. Find Out More

  • Where: Yukon
  • Excellent for: Activity & adventure, History & culture

Dawson City

The town of Dawson was founded in 1897 and was Yukon’s first capital until it moved to Whitehorse. A thriving city during the Klondike Gold Rush, the town now attracts visitors for tourism and is linked to Alaska and Whitehorse by a road that is now part of the Klondike Highway. Find Out More

  • Where: Yukon
  • Excellent for: History & culture

Halifax

With its long tradition of maritime history, Halifax, on Canada’s eastern seaboard, is one of the country’s oldest cities. Located on a vast natural harbour, its strategic military history is evident, more recently usurped by a vibrant culinary scene. There’s plenty to keep visitors occupied. Find Out More

  • Where: Nova Scotia

Moncton

The perfect base from which to explore Hopewell Rocks, the Bay of Fundy National Park and Mary’s Point Bird Sanctuary, Moncton also offers attractions closer to home with its tidal bore, parks and trails. Evenings in this fast growing city may be spent enjoying its vibrant arts and foodie scene. Find Out More

  • Where: New Brunswick
  • Excellent for: Activity & adventure, History & culture

The Klondike

The Klondike Gold Rush was a landmark event in the history of the Yukon River and Territory, when gold was discovered in the region in 1896. The Yukon River subsequently became the main route to transport prospectors, and has been immortalised in books, stories and folklore. Find Out More

  • Where: Yukon
  • Excellent for: History & culture

Toronto

Toronto is the capital of Ontario and Canada’s most populous city. The skyline of Downtown Toronto is filled with soaring skyscrapers and the iconic CN Tower, which reaches 553 metres. This cosmopolitan hub offers world-class theatre, superb restaurants, and a thriving arts scene. Find Out More

  • Where: Ontario
  • Excellent for: Activity & adventure, City stopover, History & culture

Vancouver

British Columbia’s largest city stands in a fine coastal setting, against a backdrop of lofty tree-covered peaks - a great starting point to any wildlife holiday in the province. There is plenty to see in this lively, multi-cultural city, such as exploring Stanley Park on foot or by bike. Find Out More

  • Where: British Columbia
  • Excellent for: Activity & adventure, City stopover, History & culture

Whitehorse

The capital and largest city of the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse stands on the 2,232 kilometre-long Alaska Highway, straddling the Yukon River, which runs north from British Columbia to Alaska. It takes its name from nearby rapids which resembled the mane of a white horse. Find Out More

  • Where: Yukon
  • Excellent for: City stopover

Winnipeg

Due to its location at the confluence of two major rivers that provide access to an extensive network of canoe routes, Winnipeg was a trading post for First Nations peoples long before the first Europeans arrived. It serves as a gateway to Churchill in northern Manitoba, where our polar bear tours start. Find Out More

  • Where: Manitoba
  • Excellent for: City stopover

View trips to these locations

Wildlife trips

Canada contains some of the world’s greatest untamed lands. A vast wilderness that is the last stronghold of the black, brown (or grizzly), and polar bear, where it is undoubtedly the best place to see them, the nutrient rich waters off the coasts of Newfoundland and British Columbia also attract whales and dolphins a-plenty.

30 recommended trips. Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Vancouver Island Self-drive

This two week self-drive itinerary takes in the mountains, dense forests and coastlines of Vancouver Island. Travel at your own pace to ensure that you get the most of the wilderness interior, with hikes, sea kayaking and boat excursions to watch grey whales, orcas, Pacific white-sided dolphins and black bears. Find out more about Vancouver Island Self-drive

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £4,195
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O

Wild Canada in Winter

Travelling in the depths of winter, this pioneering trip idea focuses on three of Canada’s most iconic mammals: the Canadian lynx, timber wolf and moose. From the comfort of a cosy lodge, you don snowshoes and venture deep into the Cariboo Mountains Provincial Park in search of our target species. Find out more about Wild Canada in Winter

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £4,595
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • F
    • M

Safari Slowly on Canada’s West Coast

Travel to Canada's West Coast and take time to immerse yourself in one of the finest wildlife locations in North America. By spending six nights you can appreciate the serenity and splendour of the Broughton Archipelago, Great Bear Rainforest and Johnstone Strait as well as the region's wealth of wildlife. Find out more about Safari Slowly on Canada’s West Coast

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £6,495
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O

Classic Polar Bears

Seeing polar bears in the wild is awe-inspiring - an intense and unforgettable wildlife encounter. Accompanied by expert enthusiastic local guides, day and night excursions from a specially designed Polar Rover provide opportunities to get close to these magnificent creatures. Find out more about Classic Polar Bears

  • Price (inc. flights): 7 days from £8,195
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • O
    • N

The Bear Essentials

Focus on seeing British Columbia’s largest carnivore - the brown or grizzly bear. Fly by floatplane to your wilderness lodge of choice, and enjoy daily bear watching trips, either by boat, kayak or from hides, affording some remarkably close up encounters and an unforgettable experience. Find out more about The Bear Essentials

  • Price (inc. flights): 8 days from £4,695
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O

Beluga Whales & Polar Bears

Explore the Seal River estuary along the Hudson Bay by boat and on foot to observe both polar bears and beluga whales which congregate over the summer months. Travelling as part of a small group, experience the northern lights and beautiful scenery on a journey to remember. Find out more about Beluga Whales & Polar Bears

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £11,595
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A

Newfoundland Adventure

Experience the world’s largest gathering of humpback whales and a range of marine wildlife amidst giant landscapes on this small group wildlife trip. Combine boat trips to see a variety of whale species, dolphins and seabirds, with land-based trips to view moose, caribou and possibly black bear. Find out more about Newfoundland Adventure

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £3,795
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J

British Columbia’s Wildlife Highlights

This exciting wildlife watching group holiday to British Columbia has been expertly designed to maximise wildlife sightings. Visiting both Vancouver Island and the Great Bear Rainforest, we should see a whole range of mammals and birds including orca, sea otters, grizzly and black bears. Find out more about British Columbia’s Wildlife Highlights

  • Price (inc. flights): 13 days from £8,095
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O

In the Footsteps of Explorers: Northwest Passage Voyage

The winding channels of the legendary Northwest Passage have enchanted explorers for centuries. This epic expedition provides a unique opportunity to explore this fabled sea route and discover iconic wildlife species, such as musk oxen, Arctic fox, polar bear, and a variety of cetaceans. Find out more about In the Footsteps of Explorers: Northwest Passage Voyage

  • Price (exc. flights): 15-16 days from £18,095
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A
    • S

Humpback Whales in Newfoundland

Treat yourself to a long weekend in Newfoundland, enjoying the freedom of a self drive whale watching experience. During the summer months, sightings include humpback, fin, minke and orca whales, and a hire car offers the freedom to explore the spectacular coastal scenery with its cliff-top bird colonies. Find out more about Humpback Whales in Newfoundland

  • Price (inc. flights): 5 days from £1,695
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A

Haida Gwaii Cruise

Encounter an incredible abundance of wildlife and striking wild landscapes on this small-ship expedition, cruising the Gwaii Haanas National Park. Discover an area of immense natural beauty that comprises over 100 islands, spotting black bears, humpback whales, orca, Steller’s sealions and up to a million seabirds. Find out more about Haida Gwaii Cruise

  • Price (inc. flights): 13 days from £6,055
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A

Tundra Lodge Adventure

Embark on this extraordinary adventure into the realm of the polar bear. Accompanied by expert guides, and based in a specially designed mobile tundra lodge positioned in an area of high polar bear density, this trip offers unparalleled opportunities to watch these inquisitive creatures. Find out more about Tundra Lodge Adventure

  • Price (inc. flights): 7 days from £11,495
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • O
    • N

Kayaking with Whales & Grizzlies

Seeing a humpback whale lunging through a school of bait fish, or a pod of killer whales surfacing in unison, are often considered to be once in a lifetime experiences, yet they are both possible on this water-based tour, along with the other star of British Columbia’s extraordinary wildlife – the grizzly bear. Find out more about Kayaking with Whales & Grizzlies

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £3,345
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A
    • S

Bears & Orcas Up Close

See pods of orcas and other whales as they glide through the Salish Sea off Vancouver Island, before you fly north to the Yukon. A helicopter trip to a bear camp deep in the forest on the Taku River gives close sightings of grizzly bears going about their business in the wild, and bald eagles on the wing. Find out more about Bears & Orcas Up Close

  • Price (inc. flights): 14 days from £8,495
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A

Great Bear Rainforest

A small ship adventure to search for the legendary all-white spirit bear, and humpback whales deep in the Great Bear Rainforest. A maze of islands and waterways, the area is also home to black bears and grizzlies, and there are daily sea kayak excursions to view wildlife and visit traditional communities. Find out more about Great Bear Rainforest

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £6,440
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • A
    • S
    • O

Whales of Tadoussac & Saguenay Fjord

Experience Quebec’s abundance of whale species in the Saguenay – St. Lawrence Marine Park where sightings of humpback, blue, fin, minke and beluga are all possible. Continue to the phenomenally beautiful Saguenay Fjord National Park for scenic splendour on this ultimate self-drive! Find out more about Whales of Tadoussac & Saguenay Fjord

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £2,295
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Hudson Bay’s Polar Bears

This small group trip travels to a remote yet comfortable lodge near the tidal flats and plains of Hudson Bay, feeding grounds of polar bears during the summer. This is a wonderful time to view the bears as well as the region’s other species including moose, black bear and a variety of birds. Find out more about Hudson Bay’s Polar Bears

  • Price (inc. flights): 8 days from £10,595
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A
    • S

Grizzlies of Khutzeymateen

Visit one of the world's most remote bear viewing areas in the Khutzeymateen Valley in British Columbia, and experience the grizzly bears of Khutzeymateen. Around 50 coastal grizzly bears are known to be protected in this conservation area, and other plentiful wildlife includes humpback whales, orcas and sea lions. Find out more about Grizzlies of Khutzeymateen

  • Price (inc. flights): 11 days from £5,070
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A

Quebec’s Bears, Whales & Moose

Discover unspoilt wilderness and a variety of wildlife, on this superb self-drive trip in one of the most beautiful regions of Canada. Observe black bear, moose and beaver in the Reserve des Laurentides, before spending time in Tadoussac to view whales by Zodiac and sea kayak. Find out more about Quebec’s Bears, Whales & Moose

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £2,975
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Orcas, Bears & Totems

This wildlife cruise visits a stunning archipelago in British Columbia, one of the best places in the world to watch orca as they gather to forage for salmon. Sailing on board a specially designed yacht, the adventure continues to Knight Inlet, where brown bears come to feed in the summer. Find out more about Orcas, Bears & Totems

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £5,330
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A

Canada’s Big Five

Take this unique safari which is a showcase for the wildlife that populates the rivers and forests of Manitoba in central Canada. Combine the vast serene expanse of Riding Mountain National Park, home to moose, black bear, elk and wolf, with the rugged barren tundra of Churchill, realm of the polar bear. Find out more about Canada’s Big Five

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £5,495
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A

Whales of the Bay of Fundy Self-drive

This 10-day self-drive holiday takes you to the heart of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, visiting the incredible Bay of Fundy, renowned for having the highest tidal range on the planet. Its daily influx of nutrients from the Atlantic attracts migrating humpbacks, minke and fin whales, alongside dolphins and seabirds. Find out more about Whales of the Bay of Fundy Self-drive

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £2,895
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O

Whales of New Brunswick

Discover New Brunswick’s magnificent whale watching opportunities and coastal scenery on this self-drive celebrating the awe-inspiring Bay of Fundy. With potential to visit Grand Manan, the largest of the Fundy Isles and a birding mecca too, let whales and other wildlife take centre stage. Find out more about Whales of New Brunswick

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £2,595
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S
    • O

Whales & Mountains

This superb route winds it way through the celebrated Rocky Mountains and into the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island. This area of ancient coastal rainforest abounds with plant life and is famed for its whale watching, as well as being home to brown bears, wolves and bald eagles. Find out more about Whales & Mountains

  • Price (inc. flights): 14 days from £3,095
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • M
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Festival of Bears

Our Festival of Bears returns to one of our favourite locations for bear watching – Knight Inlet in Glendale Cove. Wildlife Worldwide Founder Chris Breen and guests accompany a special visit to the Great Bear Rainforest to see grizzlies at prime time and possibly humpback whales, orca and black bear. Find out more about Z) Festival of Bears

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £7,995
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • S
    • O

Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies

As well as providing awe-inspiring scenery, the majestic Canadian Rockies are also home to an incredible mix of mammals and birds. This small group trip offers opportunities to search for iconic Canadian wildlife, including moose, grizzly and black bears, in a spectacular mountain setting. Find out more about Z) Wildlife of the Canadian Rockies

  • Price (inc. flights): 14 days from £7,495
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • J

Grizzly Bears on the Taku River

Enjoy watching and photographing brown bears at close quarters on British Columbia’s remote Taku River, where the grizzlies are habituated and completely relaxed. Led by a local guide, this tour offers thrilling and exhilarating encounters with these magnificent carnivores. Find out more about Grizzly Bears on the Taku River

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £8,895
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • A

Wilderness Quebec

This self-drive family adventure, staying in hotels, cabins and comfortable Huttopia tents with all facilities, is designed to reveal the best of outdoor Québec and its wildlife. Driving at your own pace, there’s a chance to see all the region’s iconic mammals – whales, black bear, moose and caribou. Find out more about Wilderness Quebec

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £3,395
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J
    • A
    • S

Festival of Whales

This unique trip takes place in the Bay of Fundy on the Atlantic Coast, where tidal conditions attract large numbers of whales, in particular, the endangered North Atlantic right whale. We’re currently planning our next Festival of Whales but take a look at our 2018 itinerary for inspiration. Find out more about Festival of Whales

  • Price (inc. flights): 9 days from £5,295
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • A
    • S

Yukon’s Ice Bears

Each autumn grizzly bears arrive en masse at Bear Cave Mountain, where thermal springs percolate through the limestone, warming the river so it flows all year. The result is an incredible spectacle as up to 50 brown bears gather to feast on salmon making their way up river. Find out more about Yukon’s Ice Bears

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £10,695
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • S
    • O

When to go

Canada is huge with a varied climate and though its prime time is the summer, between May and early September, the best time to see polar bears is from October to November.

Seasons

  • Spring

    Feb to May: Spring begins in February on the west coast and around April for the rest of the country
  • Summer

    Jun to Aug: Canada’s summer months bring warm, pleasant weather to much of the country
  • Autumn

    Sep to Oct: A magical time to visit, with cooler temperatures and stunning foliage
  • Winter

    Nov to Jan: Canada’s winters can be very cold, with temperatures as low as -20 degrees celcius

Wildlife events

  • May: Grey whale off west coast of Vancouver Island
  • May: Brown (grizzly) bears emerge and gather to feed
  • May: The first whales appear off the Newfoundland coast
  • Jun: Capelin run off Newfoundland attracts whales & seabirds
  • Jul to Aug: The best time to see orcas off the British Columbia coast
  • Jul to Sep: Polar bears in their summer feeding grounds
  • Aug: Brown (grizzly) bear congregate north of Vancouver
  • Aug to Sep: Whales in the Bay of Fundy
  • Aug to Sep: Blue whales visit the Gulf of St Lawrence
  • Oct to Nov: Polar bears gather around Churchill waiting for pack ice

Wildlife cruise vessels