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Vancouver

Island

A guide to the wild.

British Columbia, Canada

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WILDERNESS
Explore The Island

Find your Wild Place

From coastal forests and quiet bays to remote shorelines and marine habitats, Vancouver Island offers countless opportunities to experience wildlife in its natural surroundings.

Bald eagle flying over forests
GUIDED TOURS

WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES

Immerse yourself in nature with our curated selection of guided excursions, designed to bring you face-to-face with the Island's most majestic inhabitants.

01
Whale Watching

WHALE WATCHING

Experience the thrill of seeing Orcas and Humpback whales in their natural habitat, guided by expert marine naturalists.

02
Bear Tours

BEAR TOURS

Safely observe Black and Grizzly bears as they forage along the coastline or fish in remote rivers.

03
Birding

BIRDING

Discover the incredible diversity of avian life, from majestic Bald Eagles to hundreds of migratory species.

Vancouver Island Coastline

WHERE TO WATCH

SCROLL TO EXPLORE

DISCOVER HABITATS

From Anise Swallowtails to Opalescent Squid to Gray Whales, Vancouver Island is one of the most diverse and outstanding wildlife watching sites in Canada.

The 50 locations run from Victoria to Port McNeill on the east coast and from East Sooke to Tofino on the west coast, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.

"On the West coast, near Pacific Rim National Park, and off the East coast, at Telegraph Cove, are some of the best places to see marine life."

TOFINO TELEGRAPH COVE VICTORIA
Whale tail diving

THE ISLAND IN NUMBERS

0 +
ESTIMATED BEARS
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ESTIMATED WHALES
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ESTIMATED BIRDS

* GUIDE FIGURES. ESTIMATES BASED ON HISTORICAL REGIONAL SIGHTINGS.

Wildlife background
ETHICS & GUIDELINES

RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE WATCHING

"The safety and well-being of the animals must always come first. Approaching too closely or feeding wildlife can cause irreversible harm to their natural behaviors and survival."

READ GUIDELINES
Wildlife in the distance
SAFE DISTANCES

MAINTAIN YOUR SPACE

"When surrounded by people, even wild animals become stressed. During mating season, or when females are with offspring, wildlife behaviour can be unexpected. Please keep these minimum distances."

30 m

OTHER LARGE SPECIES

100 m

FROM BEARS

200 m

COYOTE, FOX, WOLF DENS

Awareness

Defensive Warning Signs

The Sign

"Make a 'woofing' noise, growl and snap their jaws."

Action Required
Pull back even more or leave the area
The Sign

"Put their heads down and paw at the ground."

Action Required
Pull back even more or leave the area
The Sign

"Flatten their ears, stare directly at you and raise their rump hair."

Action Required
Pull back even more or leave the area
Tools & Techniques

Tools & Watching Techniques

A comprehensive guide to preparing yourself for the best viewing opportunities in the wild.

Person looking through binoculars
01

Bring Binoculars

While binoculars are one of the most useful wildlife-watching instruments, picking the right pair may be challenging. An all-purpose pair could have a magnification of 7 or 8 and a lens diameter of 35 or 40 (7x35 or 8x40), which gathers a lot of light for wildlife watching at dawn or twilight. Finding the animal with your naked eye first is a good tip when utilizing binoculars.

02

Wear Appropriate Clothing Layers

Layering your clothing helps you to adapt to changing weather and temperatures. Consider the colour of your outfit, as birds have excellent colour vision. Keep hunting seasons in mind, and when appropriate, wear bright orange.

03

Use Field Guides

Identifying animals, learning about their habitats, and enriching your viewing experience may all be done with the use of field guides, wildlife apps, and other tools. In more remote regions, these resources can even be utilized without cellphone connectivity.

04

Go Out When Wildlife Is Active

Seasons and times of day influence wildlife behaviour. The early and final hours of daylight are when wildlife is most active, thus the time of day might affect your experience.

05

Be Patient, Still, and Silent

Slow down, take a few cautious steps, come to a complete halt, listen, and glance about. Avoid producing noise, such as treading on fragile sticks, and if possible, walk against the wind. Wildlife will be more likely to go about their daily activities if you sit immobile.

06

Use a Blind Spot

You'll have a better chance of having a successful watching experience if you can disguise yourself. Standing behind a tree or shrub rather than out in the open can be beneficial. Automobiles, boats, and canoes all make great viewing blinds.

07

Prepare For Your Outing

Before you go, make sure you know where you're going because some areas are secluded and lack amenities. Remember to wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to avoid being sunburned.

Vancouver Island Forest

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