Wildlife Watching in BC
Spirit Bears, grizzlies, orcas, salmon runs, and bald eagles — BC is one of the world's great wildlife destinations.
British Columbia's extraordinary biodiversity makes it one of the world's premier wildlife watching destinations. The province is home to grizzly bears, black bears, the rare Spirit Bear, wolves, moose, caribou, orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and millions of salmon. From the remote Great Bear Rainforest to the Okanagan's desert canyons, wildlife encounters are woven into the fabric of every BC road trip.
Top Wildlife Watching Destinations in BC
Great Bear Rainforest
Central Coast
One of the world's last great temperate rainforests — home to the rare white Spirit Bear (Kermode bear), grizzlies, wolves, and humpback whales. Accessible by floatplane or ferry.
- ✓Spirit Bear (Kermode) sightings
- ✓Grizzly bear viewing
- ✓Remote wilderness experience
- ✓Humpback whale encounters
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary
Northern BC
Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary — a remote fjord accessible only by boat or floatplane where grizzlies gather to feed on sedge grass and salmon. Guided tours only.
- ✓Canada's only grizzly sanctuary
- ✓Boat & floatplane access only
- ✓Guided tours required
- ✓Up to 50 grizzlies in the fjord
Adams River Salmon Run
Thompson/Shuswap
One of nature's greatest spectacles — millions of sockeye salmon return to the Adams River every four years (next dominant run: 2026). Eagles, bears, and wolves follow the salmon.
- ✓Millions of sockeye salmon
- ✓Eagles & bears follow the run
- ✓Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park
- ✓Free public viewing
Johnstone Strait Orca Viewing
Vancouver Island
The world's densest concentration of orcas in summer — northern resident pods gather to rub on the pebble beaches of Robson Bight. Kayak or boat tours available.
- ✓World's densest orca population
- ✓Robson Bight rubbing beaches
- ✓Kayak & boat tours
- ✓Hydrophone listening stations
Okanagan Valley Bighorn Sheep
Okanagan
The Okanagan's dry canyon walls are home to one of BC's largest California bighorn sheep populations. Spotted regularly along Highway 97 between Osoyoos and Oliver.
- ✓Large bighorn sheep population
- ✓Roadside viewing opportunities
- ✓Desert canyon habitat
- ✓Year-round sightings
Bald Eagle Viewing — Brackendale
Sea to Sky
Brackendale hosts one of the world's largest concentrations of bald eagles each winter — thousands gather to feed on spawning chum salmon in the Squamish River.
- ✓World's largest bald eagle gathering
- ✓Thousands of eagles in winter
- ✓Squamish River viewing
- ✓Free public access
Cariboo Chilcotin Wildlife
Cariboo/Chilcotin
The vast Chilcotin plateau is home to moose, caribou, wolves, and black bears. The Chilcotin Highway (Highway 20) offers incredible wildlife viewing through remote ranch country.
- ✓Moose & caribou sightings
- ✓Wolf pack territory
- ✓Remote Chilcotin plateau
- ✓Highway 20 wildlife corridor
Pacific Rim Sea Otter Viewing
Vancouver Island
Sea otters have returned to BC's coast after near-extinction — Tofino and Ucluelet offer excellent viewing of these charismatic marine mammals floating in kelp beds.
- ✓Sea otter recovery success story
- ✓Kelp bed viewing
- ✓Tofino & Ucluelet access
- ✓Boat & kayak tours available
Stay Near the Wildlife
Find independent motels near BC's best wildlife watching areas — from Tofino and Telegraph Cove to the Chilcotin and Khutzeymateen.
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