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Watching bears in the rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia is home to a diverse range of bear species. From black bears to a unique subspecies of black bear carrying a recessive gene, resulting in an unusually creamy white coat. Visitors should head to the Great Bear Rainforest around September and October, when bears are frequently seen hunting salmon. Besides spotting these extremely rare bears, you can also observe coastal wolves lurking along the riverbanks, eagles, sea lions, dolphins, and whales. As the world's largest intact temperate rainforest, this pristine corner of the Great Bear is truly a paradise for wildlife lovers.
Admire the bighorn sheep at the Headbanger festival.
Bighorn sheep are a well-known animal in North America in general and Canada in particular. In the past, the number of bighorn sheep in North America reached millions, and they were featured in Native American mythology. However, in recent times, their numbers have declined to only a few thousand individuals. Visitors can go to the village of Radium Hot Springs at the southern entrance to Kootenay National Park to see bighorn sheep, especially during the Headbanger Festival held annually in November. There, in addition to seeing bighorn sheep, you can also participate in photography workshops, guided walks, and soak in some of Canada's largest natural hot springs.
Fraser Valley Eagle Festival
The Fraser Valley Eagle Festival is held on the third weekend of November each year. Visitors can admire thousands of eagles from the Yukon Territory and Alaska flying to the Fraser Valley in Vancouver to escape the cold. Visitors can learn more about these majestic birds of prey and get up close using speedboats on the river and from dedicated viewing sites.
Kayaking to see orcas
There are a few ideal places to go kayaking and see orca, including Johnstone Strait and Broughton Islands, just off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. Here, between July and September, you can find up to 300 orca migrating through the murky waters, socializing and feeding on migrating salmon. For a closer look at these rare creatures, hop on a kayak from the small fishing village of Telegraph Cove and join a trip with local fishermen. Along the way, in addition to orca viewing, keep an eye out for beaked whales, humpback sharks, dolphins, seals, and even grizzly bears foraging on shore.
Diving with salmon
Many people have eaten salmon, but not everyone has had the chance to dive with them. On the Campbell River, located east of Vancouver Island and considered the salmon capital of the world, visitors can find all five species of Pacific salmon: steelhead, coho, red snapper, chinook, and sockeye. For the most exciting salmon viewing experience, visitors will be equipped with a wetsuit and snorkel, and will have unforgettable moments watching thousands of crimson salmon swimming upstream.
Follow in the footsteps of the moose.
Canada is famous for its moose, but spotting these fast-moving animals isn't easy. You can observe them in Prince George's City, British Columbia. Here, ancient forests, meadows, and clear streams combine to create the perfect habitat for moose. Over 70% of Canada's moose population is home to this area. The best time to see moose is in late fall (September and October), during the fall season, when moose and cattle clash in the forest for food.
Witnessing the whale migration
Every year, in the winter, in the lagoons of Mexico and the Baja Peninsula, Pacific gray whales begin their long migration of over 5,000 miles. During this time, they swim along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Between March and April, many fishermen in the coastal villages of Ucluelet and Tofino report seeing the whales close to the shore searching for food in the shallow seabed. From Tofino, visitors can book whale-watching tours, where not only Pacific gray whales but also killer whales and humpback whales can be seen foraging and playing around Clayoquot Sound.
