Wildlife Tours in Canada
Canada is wildlife central, and whale watching off Vancouver gets you right up close to these massive creatures. Spot Grizzlies fishing for salmon in Orford, experience the Rocky Mountaineer train journey with luxury travel through incredible landscapes, and enjoy Maligne Lake cruises out to Spirit Island. Butchart Gardens blooms with color, the Ice Explorer crosses Athabasca Glacier, and dolphin watching spots dot the coast. It’s like another world.
Excellent
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Heidi • traveled in September
Our tour director, Doug, was excellent. As well as being informative, professional, and making sure everyone’s concerns and questions were addressed, he brought fun, fun, fun into the mix. The accommodations were great in each city and very clean. The only exception was Sun Peaks (many seniors were on this trip and the stairs to the loft were quite steep). Overall, I had an incredible time and would recommend this tour.
Majestic Rockies - V
Vivienne • traveled in June
Loved the tour but thought it a little rushed. The tour operator and driver gave us exceptional service and went over our expectations.
Spirit of the Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer - D
Daniel • traveled in July
I only wished it lasted longer
Canadian Rockies: National Parks Eastbound
10 best Canada wildlife tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCanada travel expert at TourRadar
- Vancouver Wildlife 3 day Tour Private
- Vancouver Aquarium and Bloedel conservatory wildlife tour private
- Vancouver, Banff & Rockies Summer - 5 days
- Classic Churchill Polar Bear Adventure
- Majestic Rockies
- Spirit of the Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer
- Modern Cabin Getaway in Whitehorse from Vancouver
- Panoramic Canadian Rockies
- Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast (Vancouver To Calgary)
- Canadian Maritimes: Nova Scotia,Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick
Vancouver's urban wilderness reveals Pacific blue herons at Stanley Park's colony and grizzlies at Grouse Mountain. Orcas breach during Gulf Islands whale safari while salmon spawn at Capilano Hatchery. A perfect 3-day immersion in BC's diverse ecosystems.
Duration 3 days Destinations Vancouver Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globalduniya From
- US$2,459
Vancouver Aquarium hosts 70,000 marine animals while Bloedel Conservatory shelters exotic birds. This 6-hour nature expedition covers Stanley Park's coastal ecosystem and Queen Elizabeth Park's 152-meter summit views. Guides illuminate Vancouver's rich biodiversity through interactive experiences.
Duration 1 day Destinations Vancouver Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globalduniya From
- US$354
Vancouver, Banff & Rockies Summer - 5 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“fantastic and well worth every penny. wonderful Experience !!”
Daniel, traveled in June
Canadian wildlife fills premier habitats from Fraser Valley to Jasper National Park. Elk and bighorn sheep populate Banff National Park, while grizzly bears frequent Lake Minnewanka and the Icefields Parkway.
Duration 5 days Destinations Vancouver, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Lake Louise, Banff, Sulphur Mountain, Jasper, Blue River, ValemountSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operator On The Go Tours From
- US$1,935
Churchill's wildlife reveals itself during two Tundra Buggy days observing polar bears. Arctic foxes, ptarmigan, and native species appear with expert guides. Dog sledding with Wapusk Adventures adds authentic northern encounters.
Duration 6 days Destinations Winnipeg, Churchill Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Frontiers North Adventures From
- US$7,979
Majestic Rockies
410 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodations were great in each city and very clean. Overall, I had an incredible time.”
Heidi, traveled in September
Wildlife thrives throughout Jasper National Park's wilderness. Local fauna frequent the Icefields Parkway, Vancouver's Stanley Park teems with life, and Victoria's waters offer whale watching opportunities. Maligne Lake's turquoise waters and remote Spirit Island showcase natural wonders.
Duration 11 days Destinations Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Sun Peaks, Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon, Banff National Park, Calgary Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $4,669
5% Off- US$4,419+$156 upfront costsYou save $250
Spirit of the Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer
223 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Rocky Mountaineer was also awesome. I would have liked to stay longer in jasper.”
Helen, traveled in September
Multiple ecosystems support Canada's rich wildlife - from Vancouver's coastal rainforests to Banff and Jasper National Parks' mountain habitats. Eagles, mountain goats, and elk appear along Rocky Mountaineer train routes and Ice Explorer paths.
Duration 12 days Destinations Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks, Whistler, Victoria Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $8,139
3% Off- US$7,889+$307 upfront costsYou save $250
Duration 4 days Destinations Vancouver, Whitehorse Age Range Ages 19+ Operator Landsby From
3% Off- US$1,278
What our customers ask about Wildlife Tours in Canada
When is the best time to spot wildlife in Canada?
Wildlife viewing opportunities in Canada change with the seasons and regions. Along British Columbia's coast from May to September visitors can watch whales near Vancouver Island and Tofino. Bears are most active in Jasper and Banff National Parks during late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October). One TourRadar traveler shared: "The wildlife viewing was incredible - we saw bears elk and mountain goats all in their natural habitat."
What types of wildlife can I expect to see on a Canada Wildlife tour?
Canada's diverse landscapes support an array of wildlife. Coastal areas like Vancouver Island host orcas humpback whales Pacific white-sided dolphins and sea lions. Moving inland Knight Inlet and Algonquin Provincial Park offer sightings of grizzly bears black bears moose and bald eagles. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We saw everything from orcas breaching to grizzlies fishing for salmon and even spotted some rare Dall's porpoises during our marine tour off Vancouver Island."
What kind of accommodation can I expect on a Wildlife tour in Canada?
Lodging options span from upscale hotels to remote wilderness cabins. Churchill visitors often stay at comfortable properties like The Tundra Inn while Rocky Mountain tours feature landmark hotels such as the Fairmont Banff Springs. Remote viewing locations typically provide eco-lodges or wilderness cabins. Frontiers North Adventures' Canada's Big Five Safari combines city hotels in Winnipeg with remote lodges in Churchill. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The Black Spruce eco-cabins near Whitehorse provided the perfect base for wildlife viewing - comfortable yet immersed in nature."
How close can we get to the wildlife during these tours?
Tour operators follow strict safety guidelines while ensuring good viewing opportunities. Specialized Tundra Buggies in Churchill let visitors watch polar bears from safe elevated positions. Rocky Mountain guides maintain distances of 100 meters from bears and 30 meters from other large animals. A TourRadar traveler from an Exodus Adventure Travel tour noted: "Our guide was excellent at spotting wildlife and positioning us at safe distances for great photos while respecting the animals' space."
How many people are typically in a wildlife tour group?
Groups stay small to reduce wildlife impact and enhance viewing experiences. Klahoose Wilderness Resort accepts up to 26 guests while Frontiers North Adventures' Belugas Bears and Blooms tour limits groups to 22 people. Knight Inlet Lodge typically assigns 6-12 visitors per guide. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The small group size at Telegraph Cove made for an intimate experience and everyone had great viewing opportunities."
What's included in the price of a typical wildlife tour in Canada?
Multi-day tours generally cover accommodation expert guides transportation and core activities. Klahoose Wilderness Resort packages include meals guided excursions cultural activities and equipment use. Frontiers North provides flights between Winnipeg and Churchill lodging activities and most meals. Daily rates range from USD 600-2000 based on location and amenities. A TourRadar traveler noted: "While the price seemed high initially the incredible experiences and all-inclusive nature of the tour at Knight Inlet Lodge made it excellent value."