Vancouver Island, on the west coast - neighbor to the Pacific Ocean - is home to some of the most amazing wildlife roaming freely in Canada today. The borderless ocean, the looming mountain ranges, the rainforests, the lakes and streams and the surrounding island maze known as the Gulf Islands - all combine to create a beautiful scenic natural setting ideal for wildlife viewing.

The Vancouver Island region is home to Black Bears, Killer Whales, dolphins, Humpback and Gray Whales, cougars, hawks, owls, sea lions, Bald Eagles, elk, deer and thousands more. Many island tour companies offer trips to the remote regions, on and around, Vancouver Island providing an opportunity to many visitors to view wildlife safely in its natural environment.

Wildlife tours come in many shapes and forms. There are guided tours on foot, by horseback and via an ATV - all provide an opportunity to explore deep into the backcountry. Some tours are for one day, others last many days living out of a base wilderness camp or cabin.

Marine wildlife tours is a whole new ball game. There are tours offering an opportunity to view the marine side of BC, Canada by air aboard a floatplane or helicopter. More tours are offered at water level aboard a kayak, zodiac or aboard a warm, comfortable cabin cruiser. All marine tours, usually, have an interpretive guide to talk you through the experience of what you are seeing.

Many visitors to the west coast of Canada will soon find out, that some wildlife can be viewed from the comforts of your car while traveling from community to community. Best times to view wildlife is early mornings. For example, look up once in awhile, as there may be a Bald Eagle in flight. Or there is a good chance to view Black Bears in the morning munching on grass by the side of the highway near Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Tofino and many other areas. Every community on the island has seen wildlife wandering the streets at some time.

The most popular of wildlife tours are the Whale Watching and Black and Grizzly Bear Tours. The beauty about the west coast is that every wildlife tour, usually, has the opportunity to view a much wider assortment of wildlife than just whales and bears.