Canada As You Like It Blog
British Columbia a place like no other
Need a break? British Columbia awaits! With wildlife viewing as far as the eye can see and a range of wildlife encounters in spectacular locations.

Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.

Bears
With the famous salmon runs of British Columbia come the spectacular Kermode bears, widely known as Spirit bears. With only 1200 individuals in the wild, these bears stand at four to six feet with black, brown, or cream fur. Kermode bears are only found in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia. There are many ways to view these amazing creatures. You can take a guided tour and learn about the lush habitat that surround the area. The best time of year to see them is late August to September. This is when the salmon are spawning, and the bears are getting ready for hibernation by putting on the most amount of weight possible. Watch the battle of nature between the fish and bear and see who comes out on top. There are great opportunities for photography as well to top the experience to create wanderlust moments for yourself for you and your travelling companions to take in the moment. Just watch out during mating season and when the cubs are around, mum is sure to be close by.
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn sheep is a versatile breed of sheep in British Columbia. With amazing horns that create rings, they are often seen battling it out for territory or mating. The males are often bigger than females with the horns being a longer length. You can tell the males from the females by not only their height, but their impressive horns. While the females have stunted horns, the males’ continue to grow. These sheep are known for being hardy so can be viewed ranging from cold and high elevations to the dry and humid conditions in the southern region. They can be seen in theKakwaPark region as well; spring and autumn are the best times to see the amazing animals. Rocky Mountain Bighorns are also frequently visible on winter-spring ranges near Elko, Bull River, Premier Ridge, Columbia Lake, and Radium Hot springs.
Birdwatching
Eagles are a sight to see in British Columbia. With protected land aiming to increase populations for protected species. The iconic bald eagle, of course, is on the bucket list for avid twitchers. In an enviable spot along the Pacific Flyaway, this is the perfect spot to take in the views and see the best that nature has to offer. As well as bald eagles, there are iconic whiskey jacks (grey/Canada jay), great blue herons, and trumpeter swans. The best time of year to view these wonderful creatures is throughout springtime. Fraser Valley offers riverside tours of the richest birding regions. This area is comprised of four unique communities through Langley to Harrison Hot Springs. Fraser valley is to the northeast, the Fraser Canyon’s dramatic landscape includes sheer granite walls rising from a raging river. Experience gold rush history at Yale Historic Site, cross the canyon at Hell’s Gate, and raft the mighty Fraser River. Today, the river continues to play a significant role in British Columbia’s geography and culture, and the fertile lands of the Fraser Valley inherently rely on the river’s health.

Moose
What do you think of when people say Canada? Moose of course. These gangly, wonderful creatures are the best well-known animal in Canada. You can see them in the wild in the protected areas of the parks by hiking and canoeing or kayaking. It is possible to spot some of the wildlife on your own, with eagles gently swooping over a ferry, for example, or a caribou by the side of the road. But taking a tour with trained guides or naturalists is a fun way to find out more about these amazing creatures while staying safe and ensuring their habitat is respected and protected for the future. Perfect for you and the family to enjoy a holiday solo or all together. Watch out during mid-May to early June for the little ones with their mums.
Elk
Elk are known for their pointed, huge antlers. These are often used by the males for demonstrating their prowess in the gene pool to increase their chances of mating. This occurs from late October to December. To see the wildlife when they are most active, the best time is mid-November. From shy to outgoing, elk can be nervous to confident so it always wise to proceed with caution. You can either hike by yourself or take a guided trip to explore the area, suitable for a lone traveller or a whole family depending on the experience that you would like to plan. The best place to see these remarkable creatures is Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and the west slopes of the Coast Mountains, as well as in several tributary drainages north of the Fraser River.
Looking appealing? Call Canada As You Like It today!





