Why Coastal British Columbia Is One of the Best Wildlife Destinations in the World

British Columbia is one of the top destinations in the world for wildlife viewing. It’s full of abundance and is the most biodiverse province in Canada. BC has lush coastal rainforests, fertile grasslands, cold tundra, boreal forests, wetlands, and rich ocean waters. Wildlife thrives in this province because of the variety of habitats and ecosystems spread across the landscape.

One of the most impressive ecosystems within BC is the Great Bear Rainforest. It’s the largest remaining coastal temperate rainforest in the world. To give you some perspective on the size of this protected environment, it’s larger than the entire country of Switzerland. Nimmo Bay is nestled right in the heart of the rainforest. Being so deeply immersed in nature, you’re able to form a deeper connection and appreciation for the wildlife that call this land home. So what animals can you expect to see when you visit BC? Keep reading to find out!

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Grizzly Bear Viewing in British Columbia

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the last remaining habitats for the southern range of grizzly bears in North America. They are the top carnivore and predator in these coastal woods. British Columbia has the right balance of space, food, and refuge that allows these magnificent creatures to thrive.

From the nuances of breeding season to thrilling fall salmon feasts, you’ll have a front row seat into the lives of these large animals. This is a fabulous opportunity to travel beyond the resort, delving deep into the heart of bear
country. Imagine embarking on a personalized adventure with a Commercial Bear Viewing Association certified guide. You’ll learn fascinating facts and secrets about diets, behaviour, hibernation and how bears navigate the seasons.

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Whale Watching on the Coast of British Columbia

There is an abundance of whales calling the coast of BC home. In the Broughton Archipelago, near Nimmo Bay, the most common whales you’ll find are humpbacks, minke, grey, and fin whales. We’ll also include orcas to this list, even though they are technically dolphins. The swirling waters bring massive cold, oxygen rich swells up from the bottom of the ocean. It flushes the surface with nutrients and small creatures that draw whales in for a feeding frenzy. Spend the day exploring the straight and coastal inlets searching for these awe-inspiring creatures on a Coastal Safari.

It is our policy to present a thoughtful approach to whale watching as an activity at Nimmo Bay. Our guides strictly follow and exceed all regulations laid out by the government and actively monitor the wellbeing of these great mammals.

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Dolphin and Marine Wildlife Encounters

It’s important to highlight some of the lesser known but equally as important and impressive wildlife in the area. The playful and social pods of Pacific white-sided dolphins are often sighted throughout coastal BC waters. They tend to swim at high-speeds, leaping, somersaulting, and diving above and below the water’s surface. The loud and lounging Steller sea lions are also a fan favourite. Catch them sunning themselves in large groups, piling on top of one another along big flat rocks. Their roars will fill the air.

Some of the most unique and fascinating creatures are hiding just below the water’s surface. The coastal waters of BC are growing giant kelp forests, often called the rainforests of the sea. Giant kelp is a fast growing, towering seaweed that reach lengths of over 35 meters. That’s the same as 3 school buses stacked on top of one another. These flourishing seaweed forests provide shelter to jellyfish, sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs, sea otters, fish, and impressively sized urchins.

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Bald Eagles and Coastal Birds of British Columbia

If birding is on your vacation bucket list, then visiting the Great Bear Rainforest is a must. Pick up a pair of binoculars on a coastal boat tour and search for osprey, peregrine falcons, marbled murrelets, water ouzels, loons, herons, and several species of gull, mergansers, and the stunning kingfisher.

Even if birdwatching isn’t your top priority, the experience of seeing a bald eagle, dubbed the “King of Birds”, is awe-inspiring. When you can look up into the trees or toward the sky and catch a glimpse of these large birds of prey soaring overhead, it’s exciting. Every. Single. Time. The British Columbia coastline satisfies all of their needs. Rivers flush with salmon and canopies of ancient trees to shelter and nest in.

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Unique Ways to Experience Wildlife in British Columbia

There are a variety of ways to go wildlife viewing in British Columbia:

• Choose to cruise the coastal inlets via boat
• Follow the shorelines in a kayak
• Take the high vantage point and search for whales from the cockpit of a helicopter
• Put on a wetsuit and snorkel just below the ocean surface

Each offers a unique perspective and opportunity to observe the incredible animals of the Great Bear Rainforest. Nimmo Bay is a destination where you can do it all! There’s no need to pick and choose. If wildlife and adventure are your top priority, we’ll fill each of your days with unlimited opportunities to explore.

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When Is the Best Time for Wildlife Viewing in BC?

Each season in BC offers a different wildlife viewing experience, it just depends on what you’re hoping to see. Some animals are mainstays all year round, like sea lions, pacific white-sided dolphins, and eagles. Whales like humpbacks and orcas are best observed during the summer months, from July to September. Black bears and grizzlies begin to emerge from the forest in line with the salmon spawn, from September into October.

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Experience Wildlife AT Nimmo Bay

Providing access from the tops of mountains to the depths of the ocean, Nimmo Bay is the premier destination for wildlife viewing in British Columbia. Sitting in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, the resort exists within the habitat of some of the most incredible animals on the planet. You don’t have to go far to connect with wildlife and nature on an unparalleled level. You are fully immersed in the rugged landscape they call home.

SMALL & Intimate TOURS

Guided expeditions through Nimmo are also an intimate experience. If you’re looking to avoid large tour operators and spend time in nature with only your closest friends and family, Nimmo is your destination. Each boat ride, hike, or paddle is led by our expert team and tailored specifically to your group’s desires.

ETHICAL WILDLIFE VIEWING

And while social media might push the narrative of ‘up close and personal’ wildlife encounters, Nimmo places top priority on the health and safety the animals. Nimmo always operates within the highest standard guidelines set by the Wilderness Tourism Association. Our adventure guides also adhere to their responsible wildlife viewing training. When you’re out on the boat, you’ll learn about why it’s important to be careful around these incredible creatures. If you’re looking for an exhilarating, intimate, and ethical wildlife viewing vacation, Nimmo Bay is where to book your next trip.

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