Mountains, forests, ocean, lakes, rivers and beaches - Vancouver, Coast and Mountains provides the perfect setting for wildlife viewing. Whether it's watching salmon in the water, eagles in the sky, or bears on the land, part of the beauty of Vancouver, Coast and Mountains is that wildlife viewing is possible throughout the region, even in the cities. Keep your eyes open and you many spot sea lions, whales, bald eagles, raccoons, White-tailed deer, beavers, river otters or even Bighorn Mountain sheep - they're all at home in the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region. Bring your camera and get set for an unforgettable adventure.

Experience the Brackendale Eagles.

Viewing:
Whale Watching
Sea Lions
Salmon
Bears
Birds

Whale Watching 

There are few experiences that compare to the exhilaration of seeing a whale in its natural habitat. Vancouver, Coast and Mountains is one of the best and most beautiful places in the world to watch Orca whales in the wild. On a guided whale watching tou you can get close enough to see the signature markings of the Orca whales: the one-of-a-kind white patch around the base of the fin, the white belly, and the while patch behind their eye. Whale watching tours leave regularky from Fisherman's Wharf in Steveston, Granville Island, and Waterfront Station in Vancouver. The best viewing time is from May to October.

Did you know? Disturbing Orca whales is a federal offence. Whales should be approached from the side and boats should not get any closer than 100 metres (328 ft). Keep clear of the whale's path. A low boat speed of seven knots should be maintained when within 400 metres (1,312 ft) of whales, and passengers should observe boating safety and not lean too far overboard. Stay on the offshore side of the whales when they are travelling close to shore. Do not swim with, touch or feed marine life. Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, http:///pac.dfonpo.gc.ca/species/marinemammals/view_e.htm

 

Sea Lions

From March until the middle of May, both Steller and Califorina sea lions visit the Fraser River Estuary. The sea lions migrate to Vancouver, Coast and Mountains from their southern homes in California and Mexico to feed on the oolichan, a tiny fish that spawns in the Fraser River during springtime. The best place for visitors to view sea lions is on a river cruise down the Mighty Fraser River, which allows visitors to enjoy viewing the sea lions in their natural habitat.

Salmon

Watching the annual salmon run - one of nature's most fascinating rituals - is a fund and educational experience that the whole family will enjoy. Pacific salmon spend their adult lives in the salt water of the Pacific Ocean, returning at the end of their lives to their native freshwater streams to spawn and ultimately die. Travelling at an average speed of 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) a day, the salmon do not slow to feed. Instead, they live off the fat stored during their two years in the salt waters of the Pacific. As their upstream battle consumers their body fat and tissue, they undergo a remarkable transformation. Their blue-grey bodies gradually change to a brilliant crimson.

The hatcheries in Vancouver, Coast and Mountains are great place to learn about the life cycle of the salmon. There is usually no charge to enter the hatcheries' interpretive centres, and they are oftern open year round. At some hatcheries, visitors are able to watch migrating adult salmon as they pass by the fishways' windows and up fish ladders. Hatcheries can be found in North Vancouver (Capilano Salmon Hatchery), Mission (Inch Creek Hatchery), Chilliwack (Chilliwack Hatchery), Harrison Mills (Chehalis River Hatchery and Weaver Creek Spawning Channel) and Squamish (Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery).

At Hell's Get Airtram, visitors will enjoy watching firsthand how a salmon spends its life from beginning to end. To help you understand the journey there is a replica of a fishway filled with live salmon. Visitors will also enjoy travelling across the gorge, watching the award winning ecological video "Run Sockeye Run", and viewing interpretive displays.

The best time to witness this natural spectacle depends on the area you're visiting and the type of salmon you hope to see. Typically, salmon can be seen spawning in October in Mighty Fraser Country and from October to December in Sea to Sky County.

Bear Viewing

In the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region it is not uncommon for a hiker to spot a black bear in the backcountry or even alongside the highway! Seeing a bear can be one of the most memorable experiences of a wilderness vacation, but it is our responsibility to respect the bear in its home. Viewing wildlife must be done with courtesy and common sense. To make the most of your bear watching experience, consider taking a guided tour. Your experienced guide will know the prime wildlife viewing areas and safety measures, allowing you to focus on the beauty, fresh air and serenity of the great outdoors.

In the northern area of Sea to Sky Country, visitors can experience the freedom of untamed, unspoile wilderness. Join a small group tour and venture into the wild by vehicle, on foot, or on horseback to learn about these magnificent bears. While your guide teaches you about the vital role the bears play in the health of the local environment, keep your eyes open to spot grizzly bears in their natural environment.

You don't have to forgo the city for the rugged wilderness in order to experience bear watching. The Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife - a research, education and conservation centre - provides a home and a second chance at life for two orphaned grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola. The Refuge is also home to three grey wolves and a number of endangered birds, including falcons and one of the world's few remaining spotted owls. The Refuge offers leading-edge interpretative programs that make learning about nature both fun and fascinating.

Did you know? Grizzly bears are capable of bursts of speed up to 55 km per hour (34mph) and are also very strong swimmers. Bears generally avoid contact with people, but in rare cases they may approach hikers or campers. Safety Tips: View wildlife from a safe distance and do not approach them - large or small - as they are unpredictable. Vehicles should be well off the road when viewing or photographing wildlife. For more information on Bear and Cougar Safety visit: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/conserve/bearsandcougars.pdf

Brackendale Eagles – 2:05
There is no place in the world that has such a large population of Bald Eagles.  Come and take a tour down the Squamish River and witness first hand these majestic animals.