Nothing beats seeing nature in action and for those looking for a new experience, whale watching is a perfect fit. With over 200,000 kilometres of Canadian coastline, spotting some of the species of whales that live in Canadian waters is a trip to remember.
If you’re not sure where to go for the ideal whale-watching experience, here are six of the best places to spot whales on Canada’s coasts.
Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park
The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is considered one of the best whale-watching spots in the country, according to
Parks Canada. In the area, there are three shore spots where you can try and spot one of the 13 whale species that frequent the area. Alternatively, you can book a whale-watching tour to get a closer look. Visitors can also look for seabirds and seals, which are also common to the park.
Vancouver Island
Various locations and tours in the
Vancouver Island area are available for whale watchers. Visitors will also be able to catch sight of dolphins, porpoises, seals, and more fascinating sea life. Orcas and humpback whales are two of the most common animals spotted from Vancouver Island.
Bay of Fundy
With a tide that carries in large amounts of plankton, krill, and other kinds of fish that attract whales, the
Bay of Fundy is a perfect spot to catch sight of these amazing creatures. Whether you try and spot them from land or take a tour on a boat, catamaran, or sailboat, several companies operate tours of the Bay. Several types of whales can be spotted, including the fin whale, humpback whale, and North Atlantic right whale.
Churchill, Manitoba
Thousands of beluga whales return to the western part of
Hudson Bay to mate and give birth, with about 4,000 heading into the Churchill River. Visitors can take tours of the bay either by boat, kayak, or aqua gliding, where you are lying flat on a mat, being pulled by a Zodiac.
Cape Breton Island
The northwest section of the island offers the best views of whales in the
Cape Breton Island area. Visitors will also be able to spot dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Several tours will also take you for a whale-watching trip so you can get up close.
Nunavut
Whale watch in a completely different environment by searching for belugas, narwhals, and bowhead whales up in
Nunavut. Several other unique Canadian creatures can also be found in the area, including polar bears, walruses, and caribou. Tours are available, or you can ask locals where the best spot is to view them from the mainland.
