Whether you’re keen to spot the mysterious spirit bear or listen to the songs of beluga whales, Canada’s varied terrain offers dozens of wildlife adventures that are bound to leave you in awe.
Canada’s sprawling forests, arctic tundras, and desert landscapes provide ample opportunity to spot furry critters in the wild. So grab your camera and a good pair of boots, and set out for a few of the best places to see Canada’s incredible wildlife in their natural habitats.
Marvel at the power of polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba
Best time to go: July to November
With over 900 to 1000 polar bears in the area, Churchill is the world’s polar bear capital. Every year in late July or early August, the ice melts in Hudson’s Bay, drawing hundreds of local polar bears further inland until the bay freezes again.
This three-to-four-month period is prime for polar bear spotting. During the late summer, polar bears are calmer and often spotted lounging in the fireweed or wandering the shoreline. However, as November approaches, the bears become more active, eagerly awaiting their winter seal hunt.
Several Churchill tours, like Churchill Wild’s polar bear safaris, offer experiences that include tundra vehicle and walking tours, as well as boat and helicopter tours. Most tours typically last around eight hours.
All polar bear experiences adhere to strict guidelines prioritizing the safety and well-being of the polar bears and the tourists. Therefore, it’s crucial to always go with a knowledgeable polar bear guide and familiarize yourself with polar bear protocols.
Local tip: This part of Canada is frigid, especially if you’re visiting later in the season as the bears get ready to head north to hunt. Consequently, make sure to pack appropriately, planning for lots of layers and looking for insulated, waterproof outerwear to stay warm and dry during your viewing.
Search for the mysterious spirit bears at the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia
Best time to go: June to October
Spirit bears, also known as Kermode bears, are a rare subspecies of the American black bear that get their all-white coloring due to recessive genes. They’re sacred to and protected by the First Nations people of Canada and can only be found in the Great Bear Rainforest on the coast of British Columbia.
The Great Bear Rainforest is a remote protected area mainly accessible by boat or float plane. There’s plenty of Canadian wildlife to see in this temperate rainforest, including natural hot springs, waterfalls, and glacial fjords that will leave you in awe.
Without a doubt, the highlight of a visit to this region is spotting a spirit bear. There’s a chance you might see these elusive bears anytime from June to October, but they are best observed from August to September during the annual salmon run.
Local tip: Bears may appear adorable, but remember that they are wild and potentially dangerous animals. It’s advised to brief yourself on bear safety before your adventures and always follow and listen to your guide.
Observe narwhals from a floe edge in Nunavut
Best time to go: Mid-May to mid-June
Narwhals, sometimes called the “unicorn of the sea,” are found primarily in Canada’s arctic waters, with an estimated 90% of the world’s narwhal population inhabiting this region. The cool waters provide the perfect habitat for these whales to feed and rear their young.
Narwhals mainly reside between Northern Hudson’s Bay and Ellesmere Island in Nunavut. The best place to spot them is from the floe edge, where the open water meets the ice still attached to the shoreline, a phenomenon that lasts about four weeks from mid-May to mid-June.
Floe edge safaris allow tourists to observe narwhals as they feed and swim at the ice’s edge.
Local tip: Bring a GoPro and extension pole that you can stick underwater at the floe edge for some potentially epic footage of narwhals and other arctic sea life below the surface.
Listen to beluga whales sing in Churchill, Manitoba
Best time to go: June to September
Polar bears aren’t the only Canadian wildlife that Churchill is known for. This remote part of the country is also home to a large population of beluga whales.
Approximately 136,000 beluga whales (two-thirds of the world’s population) can be found in Canadian waters during the summer, particularly around Hudson’s Bay. These social mammals congregate in the area, with around 3,000 coming further down to the Churchill river basin during the summer months.
Beluga whales are known for their white color and are nicknamed the “canaries of the sea” due to their chirps, whistles, and squeaks, which they utilize as echolocation for navigation.
Given the similarity in season and location, many safari and expedition companies offer tours with the opportunity to combine polar bear and beluga whale observation.
Local tip: Beluga whales are very active on the surface and can be quite curious around boats. However, since they commonly stick to the shoreline, their white coloring against the ice can sometimes camouflage them from a distance; therefore, bringing binoculars is advisable.
Spot a moose or two at Algonquin National Park, Ontario
Best time to go: May
The moose is one of the most adored species in Canada. These somewhat goofy-looking animals are often featured across Canadian paraphernalia but can be surprisingly difficult to find in the wild.
If you have your heart set on seeing moose, head to Algonquin National Park in Ontario. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of them while driving down Highway 60 at dusk or dawn, especially in the spring when they’re out feeding on newly sprouted greenery.
Moreover, keep an eye out if you’re on a camping or canoeing trip during the summer or fall in Algonquin.
Local tip: Moose are often spotted in low-lying wet areas, such as near ponds or bogs. Consequently, if you’re camping or canoeing, these are the types of locations where you’ll want to be on the lookout.
Witness the monarch butterfly migration at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario
Best time to go: Mid-September
Every year, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico, where they spend the winter, returning the following year during warmer months.
Point Pelee National Park in Ontario is a significant point of this migration route, serving as a perfect temporary home for the butterflies during their annual journey. Visit the tip of the park just before sunset or early in the morning for optimal viewing.
Local tip: Monarchs tend to group together before rain or high winds hinder their crossing, making such weather conditions an ideal time to see them in larger numbers.
Peep the puffin colonies at Elliston Island, Newfoundland
Best time to go: May to August
Puffins are a favorite among Canadian birds, known for their pudgy bodies and colorful facial features that make for captivating photographs as they hop along rocks and dive into the ocean in search of fish. Though not exceptionally skilled flyers, they compensate with their impressive swimming abilities.
Puffins can be found throughout Atlantic Canada, but one of the best places to see them is Elliston Island in Newfoundland.
While many spots only offer puffin viewing from boats, here visitors can see them by boat or by walking up to the steep cliffs where the colonies reside. The best time to see them is from May to August, which coincides with puffin breeding season.
Local tip: Bring a pair of binoculars to better observe puffins diving into the sea to catch fish.
Bark with baby seals in Iles de la Madeline, Quebec
Best time to go: Mid-February to mid-March
Mid-March marks baby seal season in the lesser-known region of Iles de la Madeline, or the Magdalen Islands, situated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of harp seals arrive at the ice floes surrounding these islands to give birth. The seal pups, known as “whitecoats” due to their fluffy white fur, can be found nursing and exploring mere days after birth.
Harp seal watching has a limited season, as the ice floes are primarily accessed by helicopter, making visits contingent on weather and ice conditions.
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This article was first published on June 25, 2019, and updated on August 27, 2022.
