Canada As You Like It Blog
British Columbia a place like no other
- by Canada As You Like It
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- 22 Jun, 2023
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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.
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 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.
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.
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 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!
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.
Bear viewing
Reconnect with nature in BC and experience spectacular wildlife viewing in stunning landscapes.
Search for grizzly bears, black bears and the rare spirit bear in pristine river valleys in the Great Bear Rainforest. Spot whales, porpoise, sea lions and much more while exploring the Great Bear Sea.
Cubs emerge from their dens in early spring and by August they will be sniffing the beginnings of the great salmon run. Autumn is a feeding frenzy for wildlife. Eagles, seals, sea lions, wolves, whales and bears fill up on salmon for the long winter ahead.
Situated 70 kilometres north of Campbell River, and accessible by floatplane, Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in BC. In the peak autumn season when the salmon are returning to the river, it’s not uncommon for guests to see up to 40 bears from the viewing platforms. In spring and summer bear viewing is done from the water for a good view of the bears feeding and this is often the best time to see small cubs.