Canada’s best spots for whale watching

Canada is home to some of the world’s premier spots for whale watching and our travellers have picked out the very best of them, so that you can see this exhilarating natural spectacle for yourself.*

Grandes-Bergeronnes, Quebec

Quebec is prime whale watching territory, and Grandes-Bergeronnes is one of the many best locations dotted along the Saint Lawrence River. The river is home to 13 species of whale, from the streamlined fin whale to the smaller minke whale.
While whale watching cruises are the most popular and more leisurely mode of viewing, if you’re after something a little more daring, try sea kayaking. Paddle silently out to sea and look back at the sublime coastal scenery, before a ripple in the surface gives way to the sight of a blue whale slowly coming up for air, until it gently descends back underwater. Stay close to it all at the Gite La Bergeronnette.

Baie-Sainte-Catherine, Quebec

A village that’s become synonymous with whale watching, a visit to Baie-Sainte-Catherine is almost guaranteed to provide you with views of these beautiful giants. Next to the Saint Lawrence River, the mouth of the pine-crested Saguenay Fjord, and just across the way from another charming village called Tadoussac, it’s an ideal spot for whale watching. Sail out onto the water here and you’re likely to catch a glimpse of pearly-white beluga whales basking momentarily in the sunlight – though you can expect humpback, blue and sperm whales to make an appearance too. Visit in the autumn or late summer for the best chance at spotting the whales, and make your base at nearby Au Gite De La Chute.

Port McNeill, British Columbia

Located in the north of Vancouver Island, Port McNeill is considered to be the gateway to the Broughton Archipelago and a popular spot for whale watching. Tours make their base here or across the water at Alert Bay, one of the island’s oldest communities, a centre for First Nation culture and dubbed the home of the killer whale. These hunting behemeths appear during the spring and autumn, and you may even spot the magnificent humpback whale too, with its trademark black dorsal and fluked tail. Whales aren’t the only maritime species that flock to these waters, however – sea lions and Atlantic white-sided dolphins pass through as well.

Depending on which side of the bay you choose to stay at, you’ll have plenty of accommodation options. A 10-minute drive from Port McNeill and you’ll come across Cedar Park Resort, while Seine Boat Inn is a possibility if Alert Bay appeals to you more – certain rooms come with sea views.

Sacré-Coeur-Saguenay, Quebec

Sacré-Coeur-Saguenay is tucked away in the mountains next to the Saguenay Fjord, where you’re as likely to spot a passing beluga as you are an actual person. Head down to the marina and L’Anse-de-Roche quay, and you’ll be gifted with the sound of gently-lapping waves, as belugas dance through the fjord. When the sun goes down, the setting is equally magical; stay at Au Sommet du Fjord for the stunning vista.

Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia

A gorgeous stop on one of Nova Scotia’s most scenic islands, Pleasant Bay on Cape Breton lives up to its name, while also being the area’s whale watching capital. Head to the natural vantage points such as the Bay’s steep rocky bluffs, where you can linger near the edge for views over the harbour and whales in the distance. And take one of the many tours out on the water to sight pods of migrating whales up close, mainly the smaller minke whale and the globe-headed pilot whale, as they glide through the water.

Visit in the autumn for your best chance at spotting the whales, when Pleasant Bay’s autumn foliage is in full swing. Make the most of your stay on the island and drive down the coastline – the wooden cabins of ZzzzMoose make for an idyllic night’s rest.

Digby, Nova Scotia

Overlooking the Bay of Fundy, one of North America’s seven natural wonders, Digby’s nutrient-rich shores are home to a diverse selection of whales. Digby Neck, Brier Island and Long Island are all possible places to begin your quest, and the waters here attract rarer species of whales than you might find elsewhere. The right whale is one example, but humpbacks, finbacks and minke whales all migrate through Digby too. Catch the spurt of water as the sea foam breaks, and a whale gently twists out, over and underneath the waves.

Make sure you don’t miss your chance to stay right by Digby’s waterfront when you check-in to the Bayside Inn.

** These destinations were picked based on endorsements by Booking.com travellers for ‘whale watching’.