Where can I go whale watching in Canada?

Unforgettable encounters from coast to coast

Orcas, blue whales, humpback whales, minke whales: over thirty species of cetaceans visit Canada every year. This diversity, which is virtually unique in the world, gives marine life enthusiasts every opportunity to encounter some beautiful specimens. All that remains is to choose the region.

Orcas and grey whales in British Columbia

Biologists currently estimate that there are 300 orcas living around Vancouver Island. For the purists: the orca is not a whale, but a dolphin. However, its size means that it is generally classified as a large cetacean. 

Most of the orcas around Vancouver Island live year-round in these nutrient-rich waters, making sightings possible in all seasons. However, it is advisable to give priority to the period from March to September to try and spot other species, such as humpback whales and minke whales. The pretty surfing resort of Tofino, on the west coast of the island, even hosts a festival dedicated to whale watching in March, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival. This is the grey whale migration period: up to 20,000 specimens are counted each year!

Beluga whales and fin whales in Tadoussac

A charming Quebec village located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, Tadoussac is one of the world’s whale watching capitals. Why is this? Because the meeting of the fresh waters of the Saguenay Fjord and the salt waters of the mouth of the St. Lawrence River is conducive to the concentration of krill and plankton, two highly prized foods for cetaceans. A population of beluga whales lives there year-round. Other migratory species frequent the area from June to October, which is the best season for sea trips.

Most whales undertake long migrations: grey whales travel 6,000 km every year between the tropics (ideal for reproduction) and the poles (rich in nutrients). However, some populations are limited to small distances. This is the case for bowhead whales, which live in the Arctic all year round, and Vancouver Island orcas, which only migrate in pursuit of local prey: salmon.

Humpback whales in Newfoundland and Labrador

Would you like to explore the Far North? The province of Newfoundland and Labrador, neighbouring Quebec, is home to the largest number of species in the country: blue whales and humpback whales can be found there, as well as orcas, fin whales and sperm whales. Scientists estimate that 12,000 humpback whales pass through these waters between May and September, when krill is particularly abundant.

The provincial capital, St. John’s, and the picturesque harbour town of Bay Bulls are ideal starting points for admiring this density, which is unique in the world. Often you can even spot cetaceans from the coast, while walking along a hiking trail! From mid-May to mid-August, you have a good chance of seeing a few puffins as well.

Canada has been making great efforts to preserve whales for several decades. The law regulates fishing and boat speeds in certain areas, encourages scientific research, and aims to create a whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia. The results are encouraging: the global blue whale population is now estimated at 10,000, compared with 1,000 in 1950. However, half of the species present in the country are still endangered.

Rare species in Nunavut

As Canada’s northernmost territory, Nunavut boasts unspoilt nature and unrivalled wildlife on land and in the sea. Travellers who venture there can hope to encounter one of the most elusive species of whale: the narwhal, whose twisted tusk long led people to believe in the existence of unicorns. The best season for viewing is from July to September.  

Nunavut is also home to some 3,000 bowhead whales, the second largest animals on Earth after blue whales – and the second longest-living, with a lifespan of over 200 years, after the Greenland shark, which can live for 300 years. In summer, some populations concentrate in Isabella Bay, in the heart of the magnificent Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area.

Frequently asked questions:

1. What different species of whales can be seen in Canada?  
Over thirty species of whales visit Canada every year, including blue whales, grey whales, humpback whales, beluga whales, orcas, minke whales, fin whales, bowhead whales and narwhals.

2. What is the best season for whale watching in Canada?  
Generally speaking, the best season for whale watching in Canada is from June to September. However, some species can be seen as early as March, such as grey whales along Vancouver Island.

3. Why do whales migrate to Canada?  
Canada’s coastline lies on the migration route of whales travelling from the warm waters of the tropics (a favourable breeding ground) to the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Arctic Circle.

4. From which towns/villages can you embark on a whale watching trip in Canada?  
A large number of ports in Canada offer whale watching trips. In the west, the most popular are Tofino (Vancouver Island) and Victoria (British Columbia). In Quebec, many trips leave from Tadoussac, one of the world’s whale watching capitals. Further north, you can choose Saint John’s, the picturesque capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, or the pretty resort of Bay Bulls.

Photo credits: ©iStock-Liene Helmig; ©StudioPONANT/Laurence Fischer/ Adrian Freyermuth/ Olivier Blaud

Watch whales in Canada from your private balcony.