With a country as naturally diverse as Canada, anyone interested in wildlife watching will have seemingly endless options. From the coastlines to everything in between, there’s bound to be wildlife nearby wherever you are in the country thanks to Canada’s 47 national parks. The only difficulty one might face is figuring out where they’d like to go wildlife watching.

Thanks to Canada’s abundance of wilderness, there are options in every direction. To narrow down where to go, think about both what’s located where you are (or where you’re going) and what kind of wildlife you are hoping to see. To make your planning a little easier, here are a few of the best options throughout the country. 

The Great Bear Rainforest

For those looking for a reason to visit British Columbia and those locals looking for something new, the perfect place to experience might be the Great Bear Rainforest. After seeing its name, it should be no surprise as to what you’ll find there. This will be perfect for those who have always been amazed by bears as you’ll get to see a wide variety within the 6.4 million hectares of rainforest. 

Inside, those looking for wildlife will be able to see not only grizzlies and black bears, but they’ll have a chance at seeing the rare Kermode bear. It’s believed that only around 100 exist, so it shouldn’t be surprising for those who aren’t familiar. What’s known as the spirit bear might appear to be a polar bear but they are actually a rare subspecies of the black bear.

Banff National Park

When thinking about anything nature-related in Canada, it might be best to start at the beginning. Banff was made Canada’s first national park all the way back in 1885 and once you’re there, it’s easy to see what’s made this such a popular place since the 19th century. For those looking for a wide selection of wildlife, Banff is going to be hard to beat. 

Once there, you’ll find bears, moose, mountain goats, caribou, and more across the gorgeous landscape. Thanks to how varied Banff is, from the rolling plains to the steep slopes, it makes for the perfect home for so many different types of wildlife. 

Spending some time here, with how amazing its nature is, you might even find yourself seeing which Banff Homes for sale so you can spend the rest of your days seeing what many would consider the best sights on earth. 

The Gulf of Saint Lawrence 

As the outlet for the Great Lakes into the Atlantic ocean, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence is teeming with wildlife thanks to the nutrients the streams carry into the gulf itself. When visiting during the right time of year (roughly spring to fall) there are multiple types of whales that onlookers will have the chance to see. From the beluga to the giant blue whale, many different types live in these waters. 

For the best view, consider booking yourself a spot on any of the available boat tours so you will have a better chance to see these amazing creatures with your own eyes. As breathtaking as they are, whales are not the only wildlife you’d be able to see. There’s also the chance you’ll have a dolphin or porpoise sighting.