Wildlife thrives in the unique and varied ecosystems of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. The mild climate provides ideal year-round viewing areas to see animals in their natural surroundings.
Guided whale-watching, bear-watching and bird-watching tours are popular activities. Spot wildlife in large parks, see salmon spawning in numerous rivers and spawning channels, and look for an amazing variety of birds and marine life are seen along the estuaries, wetlands and coastline.
The best wildlife watching experience often occurs when taking part in other outdoor activities like hiking, biking, canoeing or kayaking.
BC’s provincial and regional parks are an excellent place to view a wide range of wildlife. Animals to see include bears, moose, mountain goat, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and various birds and fish species.
Manning Provincial Park
More than 60 different mammals and 200 species of birds, including the rare spotted owl, live in this popular all-season recreation area near Hope.
Manning Provincial Park’s wide variety of hiking and walking trails are ideal for wildlife viewing, bird watching and exploring native flora and fauna.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
This popular park in the Coastal Mountain Range is located in Maple Ridge and is a great location for wildlife viewing, hiking, and canoeing. In addition to Golden Ears Provincial Park, Kanaka Creek and Grant Narrows Regional Parks offer good wildlife viewing opportunities.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Located between Vancouver and Whistler, this scenic park is noted for abundant wildlife, lush alpine meadows and excellent hiking trails.
Notable hiking and wildlife areas within Garibaldi Provincial Park include Black Tusk, Diamond Head and Cheakamus Lake.
Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park
Just minutes from Squamish, wildlife photographers and bird lovers can view one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in North America in Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park. The best time for eagle viewing is between November and February when the eagles gather to feast on spawning chum salmon.
Salmon Spawning
Nature lovers will appreciate the many viewing areas for Pacific salmon, BC’s most iconic fish. Salmon spend years in the ocean then return to the rivers and streams of their birth.
There are several excellent salmon spawning channels, hatcheries and viewing areas throughout the region. The best time for salmon viewing is late September to early December.
Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Situated in the deep, lushly forested canyon of Capilano River Regional Park, this hatchery provides an excellent opportunity view and learn about the life cycle of Pacific salmon.
This popular and easily accessible salmon viewing area is located in North Vancouver. The public viewing area contains outdoor displays and tanks, including a glass view of the fish ladder. Watch the salmon migrate upstream in the late summer and fall.
Weaver Creek Spawning Channel and Kilby Provincial Park
Located near Harrison Hot Springs, Harrison Mills is home to the Weaver Creek Spawning Channel, one of BC’s original salmon enhancement areas dating back to 1885. Watch for sockeye, pink and chum salmon.
Kilby Provincial Park is home to roughly 1,000 bald eagles that are attracted to the abundance of salmon in the nearby Harrison River. Birds thrive here: geese, finches, chickadees, jays and ravens can be seen throughout the park. Trumpeter swans winter here as well.
Inch Creek Hatchery
Several large sturgeons are a special attraction at this hatchery near Mission. In the fall, watch as more than 20,000 coho and chum salmon begin their return. Bird lovers will enjoy the annual Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival that takes place in November.
Ruskin Recreation Area
Located near historic Fort Langley, the confluence of the Stave and Fraser rivers is an ideal area to watch chum and coho salmon vie for space in the man-made spawning channels. This area is popular for outdoor activities like walking, hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, camping and swimming.
Sea Lions, Otters and Marine Wildlife
The waters of the Pacific Ocean are teeming with life and offer outstanding chances to see marine life such as Steller and California sea lions, otters, harbour seals and porpoises.
Steveston
Wildlife thrives in the marshlands, estuaries and breakwaters at the mouth of the Fraser River. Take a self-guided nature walk along the rock breakwater, or for guaranteed wildlife sightings try a guided sea lion, whale watching or nature tour departing from Fisherman’s Wharf.
Horseshoe Bay
Located in West Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay is a prime spot for both guided and self-guided wildlife viewing. Cruise the waters of Howe Sound by boat and observe sea lions and seals lounging on the rocks at low tide while eagles soar overhead.
Sunshine Coast
The town of Sechelt is an ideal base to explore wildlife on the Sunshine Coast. A scenic ocean drive overlooking the Strait of Georgia leads to parks, beaches, salmon hatcheries, marshes and spectacular reversing tidal rapids.
For more information on practical points, safety and wildlife viewing tips visit the BC Wildlife Tours page.
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