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Port Alberni, The Salmon Capital of the World

Come to Port Alberni and seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a wonderful wildlife watching.

Wildlife Viewing in Port Alberni

Port Alberni is situated at the entrance to the abundant salmon fishing areas of the Alberni Inlet, which are on the opposite side of Mount Arrowsmith from Cathedral Grove. Big game creatures such as bald eagles, loons, deer, Roosevelt elk, black bears, wolves, and cougars may be found in the Alberni Valley's various wood blocks. You have a decent possibility of spotting deer, bear, and even elk when trekking in the Alberni Valley, but you'd have to be really fortunate to spot a wolf or cougar, even for a brief moment. Actually, Port Alberni is known as the salmon capital of the world. For a west coast outdoor experience, Port Alberni is the ideal location. You should include this breathtaking region on your list of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and must-see spots. When Visiting Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, Here Are Some Things to Check Off Your Bucket List. We've put up a great list of wildlife viewing opportunities you shouldn't miss to aid in planning your upcoming vacation in Port Alberni! Listed below are just a handful of the must-do activities that make the Alberni Valley a popular wildlife-watching hotspot on Vancouver Island.
According to the official website of Port Alberni, the Province of BC has officially recognized the City of Port Alberni as a Bear Smart Community. To address the underlying causes of human-bear interactions, municipalities, businesses, and individuals have implemented preemptive conservation efforts recognized by the Bear Smart Community initiative.

Port Alberni Wildlife

coyote

Coyotes

elk

Elks

mountain goat

Mountain Goats

cougar

Cougars

beaver

Beavers

squirrels

Squirrels

raccoons

Raccoons

wild horses

Wild Horses

deer

Deer

                                Port Alberni Birding

                                Bird watching in port Alberni is something you’d never forget. It's a great idea to search for birds at the Somass Estuary. When ducks hibernate, winter is the most incredible time to visit. The best time to see birds is in the summer. In the Alberni Valley, the most convenient location for good birdwatching is Kitsuksis Dyke. The Somass River and Kitsuksis Creek meet just next to Clutesi Haven Marina. The Burde Street Ponds Two lovely, tiny ponds that I enjoy visiting at any time of year are situated on the eastern outskirts of Port Alberni. When in season, this pond and the one above are great sites to see wood ducks, buffleheads, lesser scaups, and hooded mergansers. You might also occasionally spot the beaver that lives in the upper pond. Here, it's also possible to see herons and belted kingfishers. A good diversity of woodland birds may be seen along the rail grade. Discover the top bird-watching trails nearby Port Alberni with hand-curated trail maps, driving instructions, and reviews from hikers, campers, and nature enthusiasts like you.

                                Common Birds in Port Alberni

                                Trumpeter Swan

                                Trumpeter Swan

                                Northern Shoveler

                                Northern Shoveler

                                Gadwall

                                Gadwall

                                Vanisle Wildlife

                                American Wigeon

                                Mallard

                                Mallard

                                Northern Pintail

                                Northern Pintail

                                Green-winged Teal

                                Green-winged Teal

                                Ring-necked Duck

                                Ring-necked Duck

                                Greater and Lesser Scaup

                                Greater and Lesser Scaup

                                Bufflehead

                                Bufflehead

                                Common Goldeneye

                                Common Goldeneye

                                Hooded and Common Merganser

                                Hooded and Common Merganser

                                Pied-billed Grebe

                                Pied-billed Grebe

                                American Coot

                                American Coot

                                                                Port Alberni Bear Watching

                                                                Bear watching in Port Alberni is on everybody’s Vancouver Island Bucket List. From a safe distance along the river from the Somass Estuary, Port Alberni's Victoria Quay provides the famous Black Bear watching experience. While it is possible to watch black bears in this area from spring until late fall, the optimum time to do so is in August, September, and October when they are using the returning Chinook salmon. Bears can occasionally be spotted travelling all the way to Sproat Lake Landing along the Somass from Victoria Quay to the Orange Bridge. Black bears visit the river searching for salmon for an easy meal. Safety measures should always be taken when in natural places. In the late summer and early fall, you may observe black bears safely harvesting salmon at low tide in their native Somass River estuary environment.

                                                                Port Alberni Whale Watching and Marine Life Viewing

                                                                In addition to seeing whales on an expedition, you may also observe porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and a large number of seabirds. Get an opportunity to observe sea lions, seals, and migratory whales by taking a wildlife excursion in the deep ocean waters of the magnificent Alberni Inlet. Along the shore, you could see more animals, including bears, otters, and minks, as well as soaring eagles and other seabirds.

                                                                Sea Lion Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Sea Lion Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Sea lions gather in sizable colonies on the islands' rocky and sandy coasts. Stay with us to learn more about these species on Vancouver Island.

                                                                Seal Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Seal Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                It shouldn't take long to locate the harbour seal, Canada's Pacific coast's most common marine animal. Stay with us to gain more insight.

                                                                Greater White-fronted Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Greater White-fronted Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                The Greater White-fronted Geese is a stocky brown goose found across the Northern Hemisphere, including Vancouver Island.

                                                                Canada Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Canada Goose Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Canadian Geese abound on Vancouver Island throughout the winter months. When migratory birds return north in the spring, this rises. Their unique coloration makes them easy to spot.

                                                                Brant Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Brant Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Brant is a type of migratory game bird on Vancouver Island. These waterfowls can be categorized as geese which come to the Island every spring.

                                                                Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Porpoise Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Many people think that porpoises are a type of dolphin. It's wrong. They are a completely different family of cetaceans inhabiting the waters of Vancouver Island. Also, they aren't "baby orcas". Stay with us to tell you more.

                                                                Eagle Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Eagle Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Come to Vancouver Island to see how the apex feathered predator come down from the sky for a grab. Let Vanisle Wildlife be your company!

                                                                Humpback Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Humpback Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Remember the nostalgic Hunchback of Notre Dame? Well, the waters of Vancouver Island is not deprived of such creature. Humpback whales are another migratory marine species that count Vancouver Island shore as one of their favorites.

                                                                Gray Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Gray Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Looking for an opportunity for spotting the longest-route migrating mammals on earth? Vancouver Island is the land in which this opportunity grows on the tree. Stay with us to tell you more about this wonderful journey.

                                                                Orca Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Orca Whale Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Whale watching on Vancouver island is full of wonders to explore! Come here to be a witness to the breaching of the most giant dolphin, Orca, in the world. They are the assassins of the marine mammals; even whales themselves.

                                                                Grizzly Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Grizzly Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                If, in any case, you have grizzly bear watching on your Canada bucket list, put it in your bags and bring it to Vancouver Island. Let's get to the lost paradises of grizzly bear where they live in abundance. Stay with us!

                                                                Black Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Black Bear Watching on Vancouver Island

                                                                Have you ever watch black bears play hid and seek? Vancouver Island black bear watching tours are what you're looking for. In order to know where is best to go black bear watching on Vancouver Island and where is the best place to go, stay with us!

                                                                Common Questions About Port Alberni Wildlife Watching

                                                                Garbage cans are the primary draw for black bears in Port Alberni. Black bears are omnivores, and vegetation makes up around 80% of their diet. Bears are opportunistic eaters, though, and they have been known to develop a liking for trash and human food.

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