The 15 Best Wildlife & Bear Tours in Canada

1.Victoria Whale and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,729 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146Our pick

Set out from Dallas Road with Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours for a 3.5-hour Salish Sea search aboard an open boat or semi-covered catamaran. Naturalists such as Derek, Sarah, Liam, Joe, and Sierra share facts about whales and local wildlife. Expect possible orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles.

“We have seen Humpback whales, Orcas, Otter and a Pelicans. The crew was very friendly, competent and gave a lot of extra Information about the animals . We can recommend that tour.”

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2.Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 725 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $94

Explore Banff by modern minibus with a maximum of 12 people, stopping at Mount Norquay, Lake Minnewanka, the Hoodoos, Surprise Corner, and Bow Falls. Your guide adjusts the route for recent wildlife reports and conditions. You may see elk, bighorn sheep, foxes, coyotes, or bears, but no animal sighting is guaranteed.

“Liam was a great guide! He provided LOTS of history and fun facts. We saw some bighorns on the tour. Even checked out a few lakes as a bonus”

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3.Jasper Evening Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 710 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Spend about three hours exploring Jasper National Park by minibus at the best part of the day for animal activity. Guides such as Catherine, Sam, Kelli, and Ross share facts about wildlife, wildfires, and conservation while seeking elk, moose, bears, mountain goats, eagles, beavers, and more. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected Jasper-area accommodations.

“We had a great guide. We saw lots of elks around town and several moose on the tour. Very recommended!”

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4.Jasper National Park: Evening or Morning Wildlife Watch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 691 reviews · 3 hours · from $63

Spend three hours searching Jasper National Park for elk, bears, moose, eagles, beavers, and more from a comfortable minibus. Guides including Sam, Ross, Catherine, and Kelli adjust the route to seasonal animal movements, explain the Rocky Mountain ecosystem, and may add time when wildlife is active.

“We saw a Grizzly Bear . Catherine was so informative and took so much time with us”

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5.Jasper Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 603 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $176

Travel from Jasper through the Maligne Valley by comfortable minibus, stopping at Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake before a 90-minute Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. Guides such as Sam, Jake, Ross, Catherine, and Kelli share wildlife and wildfire knowledge. Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised, and Maligne Canyon access may remain closed after the 2024 fire.

“They should hope to get Ross as their guide! He was so entertaining and enthusiastic and knowledgeable! We loved his stories and his optimism about the future of the park after the fires!”

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6.Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 501 reviews · from $155

Ride a comfortable 21-seat minibus through Maligne Valley with guides such as Jake, Sam, Kelli, or Josh, stopping at Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake before a 90-minute cruise to Spirit Island. Expect wildlife searches, mountain views, fire ecology, and a flexible itinerary if canyon repairs continue.

“Sam was an amazing guide! A wealth of animal knowledge! Amazing tour to be able to visit multiple locations in Jasper National Park without the hassle of having to drive. Boat cruise to visit spirit island had unbelievable views of Maligne lake, a must do in Jasper!”

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7.Evening Wildlife Safari Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 465 reviews · 2 hours · from $55Best value

Ride scenic Banff roads at dusk with a certified English-speaking guide and a small group of up to 24 people. You’ll search for elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and possibly bears while learning about wildlife protection. Guides such as Lucy, Jake, Evie, and Sam are praised for lively local stories and strong animal knowledge.

“Our guide was so knowledgeable, she gave information on not just the animals but the history and of the area. She was personable and humorous which made for a really enjoyable time. We saw lots of elk! An unforgettable experience!”

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8.Cowichan Bay Half Day Whale & Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

From Cowichan Bay, you spend 3.5 to 4 hours on a small-group boat searching for orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, seals, porpoises, eagles, and seabirds. Captains such as Gary and Jane explain the Salish Sea ecosystem, while warm flotation suits and safety gear help you handle cool, windy weather.

“Truly an amazing experience. Gary our guide is an expert and made the excursion enjoyable by explaining the history and outstanding relationship with the local whales. Lots and lots of sightings. I'd highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area.”

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9.Great Bears of Bute: Grizzly Bear Viewing & Indigenous Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 336 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $457

Travel by heated boat from Campbell River through the Salish Sea to Orford Bay, where Homalco guides lead bear viewing from riverside towers and safe sites. Expect First Nations stories, salmon-fed grizzlies, marine wildlife, lunch, coffee, and a small-group setting. Guides may include Jon, Debra, and Tony.

“The best experience ever! I would do this 100 times again. We saw grizzlies, salmons and we loved the nature!”

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10.Victoria Marine Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $131

Set out from 1 Dallas Road in Victoria with Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours for about three hours on a fast open boat or semi-covered catamaran. Your guide searches for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, eagles, and other coastal wildlife. Boats and departure times can change from November through April.

“Dedicated captain doing his best to find whales. After 5 hours we did not but did see a lot of other sea animals.”

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11.Banff Wildlife & Scenic Highlights Premium Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 266 reviews · 3 hours · from $91

Spend three hours with a local English-speaking guide such as Lubo, Tess, or Ollie, searching for elk, deer, sheep, bears, and more. The route changes with sightings and weather, pairing wildlife watching with Lake Minnewanka, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, and quieter viewpoints. Comfortable transport, hotel pickup, and winter hot drinks are included.

“We had a great time with Tess. We saw a bald eagle, elk, and sheep! Tess was great about sharing all about the local wildlife during the quiet times.”

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12.Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Lakeshore Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 239 reviews · from $77

Ride a small air-conditioned minibus from Jasper into Maligne Valley with an English-speaking naturalist guide such as Jake, Sam, or Kathryn. Look for elk, moose, bears, eagles, and marmots, then walk 2 to 3 kilometers beside Maligne Lake. Maligne Canyon may be replaced by Maligne Lookout because of wildfire repairs.

“Jake has been an excellent guide, truly enthusiastic about his territory and available to share interesting stories about the place and local wildlife! Truly recommended!”

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13.Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour in a 12-passenger Zodiac with a marine naturalist and captain. You’ll wear a full flotation cruiser suit, scan the waters for humpback whales, Bigg’s killer whales, seals, sea lions, otters, and birds, and use a hydrophone to hear whale calls. The three-hour tour runs rain or shine.

“This tour was fun and enjoyable, even in the rain! We walked around town, taste tested a range of food and, learnt so much about the history of the area. It felt good to support local businesses.”

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14.Jasper Wildlife and Sightseeing Tour with Maligne Lake Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 216 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $81

Travel 45 kilometers through Jasper National Park by comfortable minibus, stopping at Maligne Canyon Overlook, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Lake. Guides such as Sam, Catherine, Josh, and Jake explain wildlife, geology, local history, and the effects of the 2024 wildfire. The easy 2 to 3 kilometer lakeshore hike ends with time for lunch before returning to Jasper.

“Really great trip to Lake Maligne! Katherine (sorry for the inevitable misspelling) was uber friendly and helpful to the whole group. We were able to see tons of animals enroute which was awesome!”

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15.Banff and its Wildlife – Year Round Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 171 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $72

Set out from Banff around 8:30 a.m. for Lake Minnewanka, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, the Hoodoos, and summer-only Bankhead. Your guide shares local history, geology, and wildlife facts while you watch for elk, deer, bears, and bighorn sheep. Guides such as Jake, Tim, Eli, and Phoebe have earned praise for lively storytelling.

“My father and my friend went on the tour yesterday July 13 and it was great. I think her name was ANak. She was super awesome and she really knows her stuff. She kept things interesting and it was actually my dads favourite part of our whole trip. I would do the tour again but wish we had the same driver.”

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