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7 Whale Watching Experiences in Canada You’ll Never Forget

There’s a reason whale watching ends up on so many bucket lists.

One minute you’re staring at an empty ocean, wondering if anything will happen… and the next, a massive humpback launches itself out of the water beside your boat while everyone onboard completely loses their minds.

And luckily for us, Canada is packed with unforgettable places to experience it.

From orcas near Vancouver Island to belugas in Churchill and even narwhals in Nunavut, these are 7 whale watching experiences across Canada worth adding to your summer bucket list.

Orca Whale Watching — Vancouver Island, BC

If spotting orcas in the wild is on your bucket list, Vancouver Island is one of the best places on Earth to do it. These waters are home to both resident and transient killer whales, along with humpbacks, sea lions, dolphins, and bald eagles. Whether you choose a covered cruiser or a high-speed Zodiac adventure, seeing an orca surface beside the boat is something you’ll never forget.

See Orca Whale Watching Tours from Victoria

Humpback Whale Tours — Bay Bulls, Newfoundland

Every summer, massive humpback whales migrate to the waters off Newfoundland to feed, and Bay Bulls is one of the best places to see them up close. It’s not uncommon to witness breaches, tail slaps, and whales swimming surprisingly close to the boat. Add dramatic cliffs, puffins, and iceberg season into the mix, and this becomes one of Canada’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences.

Explore Bay Bulls Whale Tours

Beluga Whale Kayaking — Churchill, Manitoba

Known as the “Beluga Capital of the World,” Churchill welcomes tens of thousands of beluga whales every summer. And unlike most whale watching experiences, you can actually kayak alongside them. These curious white whales are known for approaching kayaks and paddleboards, creating an experience that feels almost surreal in the remote waters of Northern Manitoba.

Book a Churchill Beluga Experience

Zodiac Whale Watching — Tadoussac, Quebec

Located where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St. Lawrence River, Tadoussac is one of the top whale watching destinations in Eastern Canada. The nutrient-rich waters attract everything from belugas and minkes to massive blue whales. For the most thrilling experience, hop aboard a zodiac boat and get closer to the action while surrounded by dramatic Quebec scenery.

View Tadoussac Whale Tours

Humpbacks in the Bay of Fundy (NS & NB)

Home to the highest tides on Earth, the Bay of Fundy creates one giant feeding ground for whales during the summer months. Humpbacks, finbacks, and minkes regularly visit these waters, and sightings here can be spectacular. Watching a humpback breach against the rugged Atlantic coastline is the kind of travel moment that sticks with you forever.

Check out some of the options in Nova Scotia and in New Brunswick

Whale Watching in Telegraph Cove, BC

Tiny, scenic, and packed with wildlife, Telegraph Cove has become legendary among whale watchers. Located on Northern Vancouver Island, this charming coastal village offers incredible opportunities to spot orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and more. Even the boat ride through the surrounding channels feels like an adventure.

Explore Telegraph Cove Whale Tours

Narwhal Expeditions — Nunavut

Seeing a narwhal in the wild is about as bucket-list as it gets. Often called the “unicorns of the sea,” these mysterious Arctic whales are found in the icy waters of Nunavut during the summer months. Reaching them takes more effort than your average whale tour—but for adventurous travellers, few wildlife experiences on Earth compare.

Learn More About Arctic Narwhal Expeditions

International Departures (Brought to you by Loreto Baja Sur)

Beyond the Beach: The Baja California Sur You Didn’t Expect

Most people come to Baja for the beaches.

But in Loreto, some of the best experiences are nowhere near the ocean.

This is where desert landscapes, ancient history, and unexpected adventure all collide—creating a side of Mexico many travellers never get to see.

Step Back in Time

Hidden in the surrounding mountains are ancient cave paintings and rock carvings left behind by prehistoric cultures.

These aren’t replicas or museum pieces—you can actually hike out and see them in their natural setting.

It’s one of those experiences that makes you realize just how much history exists beyond the usual tourist trail.

Hiking the Sierra de la Giganta

If you like to explore on foot, the Sierra de la Giganta mountains offer trails for every level.

Expect:

• Canyon hikes

• Desert landscapes

• Hidden waterfalls

• Views that stretch for miles

It’s rugged, raw, and completely different from what most people picture when they think of Mexico.

Missions & Culture

Loreto is also home to some of the most important historic missions in Baja, including the stunning San Javier Mission.

These aren’t just landmarks—they’re part of the region’s identity, and visiting them adds a whole new layer to your trip.

Loreto isn’t just a beach destination.

It’s a place where you can snorkel with sea lions one day… and hike to ancient cave art the next.

Talk about an incredible escape from Canada’s winter, with direct flights from Calgary with WestJet (October - May).

If you’re looking for a trip that feels a little more meaningful—and a lot less predictable—Loreto might surprise you.

Watch

British Columbia is home to some of the best whale watching in Canada, but it’s also home to one of our favourite urban parks. Vancouver’s Stanley Park is larger than New York’s Central Park and is home to the world-famous Seawall, which is one of the most scenic places in Canada to go biking, walking, or rollerblading.

During our last visit, just a couple of weeks ago, we wanted to do a different style of video. Instead of showcasing multiple attractions, we created one unedited 45-minute tour around the Stanley Park Seawall. No music, no cuts. Just the full loop, along with some light narration. Let us know what you think!

Beaver Bites

• Canada Just Strengthened Orca Protections: As of June 1, 2026, the required distance for vessels to keep from Southern Resident killer whales in southern BC coastal waters has increased significantly from 400 metres to 1,000 metres. The move aligns Canada with existing rules in Washington State and is part of a broader push to help the endangered population recover.
  
  

• Canada Is Also Protecting Atlantic Whales: The North Atlantic right whale, one of the most endangered animals on the planet, is getting renewed protections in Canadian waters for 2026, with measures focused on reducing entanglements and vessel strikes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
  
  

• Niagara Falls Just Got a Major Hotel Upgrade: Hyatt has opened its first-ever hotel in Niagara Falls — the Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls Fallsview — now the closest Canadian hotel to the Falls, with unobstructed views of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. The 42-floor, 611-room property sits in the Fallsview district with newly renovated rooms featuring contemporary furnishings and views of either the Falls or the city skyline.
  
  

• Your Passport Is Now "30 Days or Free": As of April 1, 2026, the federal government introduced a new "30 days or free" passport guarantee — if your application isn't processed within 30 business days, you automatically get a full refund of your passport fee. Most passports are already being processed within 10 to 20 business days, but the policy ensures Canadians are compensated when the government doesn't meet its own standards. If only everything they did had this level of accountability.
  
  

• Air Canada Just Got a Major Glow Up: Air Canada unveiled its most significant cabin investment yet, a new design standard called "Glowing Hearted," debuting this summer on the new Airbus A321XLR with Canada's first-ever lie-flat seats on a single-aisle aircraft. Every seat gets a 4K OLED screen with Bluetooth audio, while a new Signature Plus Suite is coming to the Boeing 787-10 with added space and privacy for passengers travelling together. The upgrades extend across the fleet, too, with Rouge passengers getting seatback entertainment, reclining seats, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Nice!

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We’re starting to feature more destinations, attractions, and travel experiences like these across our newsletter, website, and social channels.

If you’re part of a tourism board, hotel, or experience and want to be featured in front of 60,000+ Canadian travellers each week, feel free to reply or reach out—we’d love to collaborate.