Whether you’re a family of budding naturalists or seeking more adventurous wildlife experiences, western Canada delivers.  

With its dense temperate rainforests, island-scattered coastline, and lake-strewn mountains, it’s no surprise that western Canada is a modern-day haven for wildlife. From grizzly bears snatching salmon out of rushing rivers to orca pods curving gracefully through the waves and bald eagles circling above the treetops, each moment of your trip could present a fresh animal encounter. Specialists Emily and Hollie from Audly Travel each share a trip idea that takes in the region’s wildlife highlights one designed for families, the other for anyone who loves being that bit more adventurous on their travels. 

Wildlife for families, recommended by Emily, Audley Travel Canada specialist.  

When there’s wildlife involved, you’re guaranteed to make lasting memories as a family. You might be raising a budding ornithologist, have grandchildren who are captivated by animals, or want to pass down your love of the natural world. Whatever your motivation, Western Canada’s vast swathes of wilderness make an ideal place for families to explore and discover the animal kingdom. I suggest starting in Vancouver, taking a stroll or guided cycle ride through Stanley Park. You might spot bald eagles perched high in the conifers, beavers hard at work in Beaver Lake (look out for signs of their presence, like trees that have been gnawed through), and harbour seals bobbing on the water’s surface just offshore.  

Next, take a ferry across to Vancouver Island and stay in the provincial capital, Victoria. From here, you can join a three-hour whale-watching trip to look for the area’s resident orcas — the naturalist guides on board know the pods well and can often identify individual orcas based on their dorsal fins. You could also spot humpback and minke whales, plus seals, sea lions, dolphins, and sea otters. I’d then head to the island’s west coast, staying in the laid-back surfer town of Tofino. A morning Zodiac trip around the nearby Clayoquot Sound gives you a chance to watch black bears foraging along the shoreline. These low-impact vessels can navigate into small, sheltered bays and glide close to the shore without disturbing the bears as they turn over rocks and stones in their search for crabs, clams, and barnacles.  

Your guide will know the area inside out, including the best places to find the bears. They’ll also tell you more about their behaviour and diet, as well as helping you to spot other wildlife such as seals, eagles, porpoises, herons, and orcas. You could end your trip back in Vancouver, but I recommend continuing east, eventually reaching the mountain town of Jasper, deep in the Rockies. From here, you can join an evening wildlife-focused tour with a local guide who’ll drive you to all the best spots for seeing the Athabasca Valley’s wildlife. Exploring later in the day, when animals are most active, means you’ll have a chance to spot bears, elk, moose, many bird species, and if you’re very lucky, wolves. You can also stretch your legs on short hikes and pause at viewpoints to soak in the mountain vistas as your guide tells you more about the Rockies’ ecosystem. 

Wildlife for the adventurous, recommended by Hollie, Audley Travel Canada specialist.  

If you’re looking to delve deeper into Canada’s wilderness, I suggest focusing your time around British Columbia’s coast. Here, you’ll find huge areas that have remained largely untouched by humans, allowing wildlife big and small to thrive. We suggest starting in Vancouver and flying to Port Hardy, on Vancouver Island’s northern tip. The town acts as a gateway to the wilderness that surrounds this part of the coast — fir-coated islands, forested bays, and sheltered bodies of water rich with marine life.  

From here, you can join an exclusive experience that takes you into the nearby coastal rainforest for a chance to see (and hear) endemic coastal wolves. The two-night adventure is led by experienced First Nations guides who’ve spent time studying the wolves and know their favourite spots. They’ll show you how to identify wolf tracks on the beaches and use them to trace their movements so you have the best chance of a sighting (though often, the search for wolves is just as exhilarating as when you finally set eyes on them). At night, you’ll set up camp and sleep under canvas, perhaps drifting off to the haunting howls of a nearby pack.  

From Port Hardy, you can drive along the coast to Alder Bay, where a water taxi will breeze you into the Broughton Archipelago (look out for humpbacks, Steller sea lions, and Pacific whitesided dolphins as you go) and your next destination, Farewell Harbour Lodge. This secluded wilderness retreat sits right by the water and gives you the chance to join daily wildlife-viewing activities with passionate local guides. You might choose to head into the Great Bear Rainforest to see and learn about grizzly bears, join a whale-watching trip, or paddle a sea kayak to enjoy the serenity of the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, looking out for birds, sea otters, and passing orcas.  

Next, you could continue following Vancouver Island’s coast until you reach Campbell River, where you can join a full-day tour run by Homalco First Nation guides. You’ll sail into Bute Inlet, a wildlife-rich body of water that carves into Canada’s west coast through a jigsaw of islands. This is traditional Homalco territory, and as well as having the chance to encounter bears, whales, and a host of other wildlife, your guides will help you to learn about the area’s Indigenous history, traditions, and way of life — you might even visit the historic First Nation village site of Aupe (Church House).  

There are several tours to choose from depending on your interests and the time of year. Or, you can charter a private boat so the entire day is shaped around what you most want to see and experience. From there, you could cut across the island to Tofino, where you can hike along Pacific Rim National Park’s coastal trails, try surfing, and go sea kayaking. 

Get me there: 

Together with our trusted partner, Audley Travel, Travel Four Seasons can bring this unforgettable itinerary to life. Combining expert destination knowledge with personalised service and meticulous planning, we’ll create a Canadian adventure that’s perfectly tailored to you.

For more information or to start planning your journey, speak to our team today.