Bears are a common sight in Canada, home to 60% of the worlds entire bear population. The three species of bears native to Canada are the grizzlies, black and polar bears. From the forests of Quebec to the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada is by far the one of the best countries to tick bear watching off your bucket list. British Columbia is by far the best location for seeing black bears. In particular, the Great Bear Rainforest and Vancouver Island, both offering amazing sightings.
Take a look at our wildlife holidays to Canada to see the bears yourself. Watching these sights of amazing animals on a relaxing holiday is an unforgettable experience!
Glendale Cove, British Columbia
Located 70km north of the Campbell River, and only accessible by floatplane, Glendale Cove was previously the site of a First Nations village. However today, this remote location in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, is notorious for having one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears in Canada. Glendale Cove really starts to come alive from April onwards as bears start emerging from their hibernation, this is also the time to see the newborn cubs and their cautious mothers. Viewing here is done by boats, allowing visitors to get extremely close without disturbing the bears. In the late summer months, you will see the bears fish for salmon in the inlet, as an abundance of pink salmon surge into the Glendale River.
Situated 60 kilometres from the mouth of the inlet is Knight Inlet Lodge. The floating lodge, tucked into Glendale Cove, offers one of the few protected anchorages in the inlet. The only neighbours are the bears, mountain goats, otters and seals making this 100-mile-long inlet home.
Churchill, Manitoba
In the northern provinces of Canada, if you look between closely between the snow and the sky you might be lucky enough to see a polar bear. Churchill is considered the polar bear capital of the world and is also home to arctic fox, arctic sik siks and the beluga whale. With the best time to see the bears in action is October and November, people from across the world come to view these magnificent creatures in their natural environment; this is also when the bears begin their move from their summer habitat to seal-hunting in Hudson Bay.
If getting up close and personal with these amazing animals is your thing, then take a journey on a Tundra Buggy. Designed to move smoothly over snow and ice whilst also protecting passengers from these curious bears. Seeing the mother bears tend to their cubs and witnessing the male bears play-fight is truly a sight to behold, standing at over 5ft tall, the Tundra Buggy can move safely keeping passengers out of a hungry polar bears reach.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Black bears are the most common bears in Canada, and although believed to be black in colour, they can be any shade from blonde to black. Bear watching on Vancouver Island is something you will never forget. Head on the tour around the world-famous Great Bear Rainforest for some excellent encounters, or a boat trip to give you a chance to see black bears foraging along the shoreline.
For the ultimate experience in a secluded lodge, we recommend Great Bear Lodge located in the Great Bear Rainforest, home of the largest concentration of grizzly bears, making it the perfect location to go in search of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Located 50 air miles from Port Hardy, this fully self-contained floating village is situated in an outstanding wildlife viewing location. Gourmet meals await you at the lodge on your return after a day exploring the wilderness.
Alberta
Unlike other bear watching areas in Canada, Alberta does not have bear-viewing lodges, meaning it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Luckily, Alberta is bursting at the seams with wildlife offering accessible and rewarding wildlife sightings in every season.
Most common places to spot bears in Alberta include Waterton Lakes National Park and Jasper National Park. Another fantastic and safe way to see the grizzlies amongst other incredible wildlife is from up high on the Lake Louise Gondola with the highest concentration of bear sightings in June, July, August and September.
Inspired to embark on a wildlife experience. Explore our range of wildlife holidays across our destinations today.
