The Best Known Wildlife Watching in Canada

Whales at Digby Neck (Nova Scotia): For a chance to see fin, minke, or humpback whales, choose from a dozen whale-watching outfitters located along this narrow peninsula of remote fishing villages. Right, sperm, blue, and pilot whales, along with the infrequent Orcas, have also been seen over the years. Getting to the tip of the peninsula is half the fun — it requires two ferries.

Birds and Caribou on the Avalon Peninsula (Newfoundland): In one busy day you can see a herd of caribou, the largest puffin colony in North America, and an extraordinary gannet colony visible from the mainland cliffs.

Whales at Baie Ste-Catherine (Québec): At Baie Ste-Catherine, about a 2-hour drive northeast of Québec City, and along the northern shore to the resort area of La Malbaie, hundreds of resident beluga and minke whales are joined by several additional species of their migratory cousins, including humpbacks and blues. Mid-June to early October, you can spot the graceful giants from land, but whale-watching cruises depart from Baie Ste-Catherine for closer looks.

Pelicans in Prince Albert National Park (Saskatchewan): On Lavallee Lake roosts the second-largest pelican colony in North America. Bison, moose, elk, caribou, black bear, and red fox also roam free in this 400,000-hectare (1 million-acre) wilderness.

Orcas off Vancouver Island (British Columbia): The waters surrounding Vancouver Island teem with orcas (killer whales), as well as harbor seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and harbor and Dahl’s porpoises. In Victoria, Seafun Safaris Whale Watching, 950 Wharf St. (tel. 877/360-1233 or 250/360-1200; www.seafun.com), is one of many companies offering whale-watching tours in Zodiacs and covered boats.