Whales, Bears and Lights, Oh My!

Spirit bears, the aurora borealis, grizzly bears and killer whales. From the pristine wilderness of coastal British Columbia to the seemingly endless Arctic tundra of the North, discover some of Canada’s most stunning displays of wildlife and nature.

British Columbia

On the traditional territory of the Homalco First Nation, catch sight of some of Canada’s most beloved wildlife with Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours. Surrounded by rugged coastal mountains, explore the narrow tidal passages of Bute Inlet where you’ll encounter humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles. Witness grizzly bears fresh out of hibernation feast on spawning salmon and learn more about this spring ritual from your knowledgeable Indigenous guide. — homalcotours.com

Take a front-row seat with Sidney Whale Watching and see whales on their annual migration through the coastal waters of British Columbia. Just a thirty-minute drive from Victoria brings guests to SWW’s launch spot in the middle of prime orca feeding grounds—why the family-owned company is able to boast a 95-percent whale sighting rate year-round. Journey from the Saanich Peninsula through the Salish Sea on a custom 30-foot vessel surrounded by the gently sloping hills of the Gulf Islands, home to abundant marine wildlife and unforgettable scenery.  — sidneywhalewatching.com

On the traditional territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw, take a Cultural Journey through the unspoiled wilder­ness of the Broughton Archipelago and the Great Bear Rain­forest with Sea Wolf Adventures. This trip ticks all the boxes for true adventure with vivid storytelling about the history and living culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw, and topnotch wildlife viewing, including pods of migrating orcas navigating their way through the cedar tree-lined channels. — seawolfadventures.ca

Take a journey to the Great Bear Rainforest to Spirit Bear Lodge, owned and operated by the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, on the shores of the Great Bear Sea. Listen for the exhale of whales passing by this world-class, eco-tourism property in the heart of the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest. In the company of your Indigenous guides, catch a glimpse of the rare Spirit Bear, a subspecies of black bear with naturally white fur, found only here. — spiritislandadventures.com

With its well-deserved international reputation for thrilling grizzly bear viewing, Knight Inlet Lodge on the traditional territory of the Da’Naxda’xw Awaetlala First Nation, some 80 air kilometres from Campbell River, is in the midst of one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears in British Columbia. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the remote, floating resort features immersive holidays, combining bear viewing with marine wildlife excursions to the Johnson Straight—one of the world’s top destinations for seeing killer whales in the wild. — grizzlytours.com

Stay at a summer wilderness camp located on an ancient seasonal village site and immerse yourself in First Nations Culture while exploring the serenity of the Great Bear Rainforest with Coastal Rainforest Safaris. You could find yourself sleeping in a luxurious tent on Branham Island—an ideal base for venturing out in search of whales, bears, sea otters and other wildlife. Indigenous guides share their first-hand knowledge of this magical place. — whalesandbears.ca

Northwest Territories

This experience deserves a top spot on your must-do list. You’ll travel 400 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle to Yellowknife. There, you’ll discover the region’s many wonders alongside Joe Bailey, owner of North Star Adventures, who specializes in showcasing the beauty of the aurora borealis. Bailey takes pride in introducing guests to fishing, snowmobiling, teepee-camping, and buffalo viewing. Take home treasured memories of Joe’s stories about the Dene People and their Traditions. — northstaradventures.ca

Share and connect with Dene Culture, art and food with B. Dene Adventures, owned and operated by Bobby Drygeese of the Dene First Nation. Spend an evening gazing at the Northern Lights near your cozy lakeshore cabin on the shores of Great Slave Lake, at Akaitcho Bay. Listen to the beat of drums and understand more about the Traditional Knowledge of the Dene People, who have been living in the North for centuries. — bdene.com

If you feel chilly after witnessing the aurora borealis dancing across the sky, warm up in your heated teepee in Aurora Village, which opened in November 2000 and soon became a coveted spot for Northern Lights viewing and winter fun. From November to April, Aurora Village also provides opportunities for guests to go ice fishing, snowshoeing and dog sledding—activities that have earned accolades from visitors worldwide. — auroravillage.com