Summer Wildlife Photo Spots Around Vancouver

With mountains, forests, and the ocean nearby, Vancouver offers easy access to nature and wildlife. Both beginners and experienced wildlife photographers can find scenic landscapes and charismatic wild animals around the city.

Wildlife Photography Tips

While wildlife encounters can be a rewarding experience for people, they are often scary for animals who are trying to protect their young or access food. Show wildlife the respect they deserve. Stay quiet and still while giving them lots of space to maintain their natural behaviours. Instead of getting closer, use binoculars or the zoom lens on your camera to get a better look.

Many animals are most active early in the morning and late in the evening. Pack warm clothing for chillier temps and don't forget water and snacks. If you're heading onto the hiking trails AdventureSmart recommends leaving a trip plan with a friend and taking essentials like a first aid kit and a flashlight. Read our wildlife-aware tips for advice on bear safety.

Never feed wild animals. It can make them aggressive towards people. And human food can make some wildlife very sick.

The Best Spots for Nature and Wildlife Photography

Stanley Park

You can access nature without leaving downtown Vancouver. Stanley Park is home to gorgeous beaches and trails winding through a lush West Coast temperate rainforest. The Stanley Park Nature House at Lost Lagoon is a great place to start your visit. They have interactive displays to help you learn about local plants and animals. Staff and volunteers can answer your questions and point you to the best places in the park for wildlife sightings.

Next, use the park map to explore the trails. You can find some of the park's largest old-growth trees on the Tatlow Walk Trail. As you stroll, watch for local wildlife including raccoons, squirrels, and coyotes. You can also spot many species of songbirds as well as birds of prey like bald eagles. Don't miss Beaver Lake. If you're lucky, you'll spot the lake's namesake animals swimming just below the surface or working hard to reinforce their lodge.

Grouse Mountain

Ride the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver for easy access to Vancouver's subalpine scenery. The Eco Walk Trail next to the Peak Chalet provides a great intro to mountain flora and fauna. Watch for birds like black-capped chickadees, ravens, and Canada jays flitting from branch to branch amongst the towering cedars and firs.

Follow the paved Grouse Loop Trail to discover some of the residents of the mountain's wildlife refuge. Orphaned grizzly bears Grinder and Coola are the most famous inhabitants. You can attend daily ranger talks to learn more about the bears along with other mountain wildlife.

Grouse is also home to several majestic birds of prey including a Peregrine falcon, the world's fastest animal. You can watch them in action at the daily Birds in Motion shows or get a closer look alongside a wildlife specialist at Owl Talks.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

If you're interested in birdwatching, head to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, just south of Vancouver. It is one of Canada's top birding sites thanks to its location on the Pacific Flyway. Hundreds of unique bird species stop at the sanctuary's ponds, marshlands, and tree stands each spring and fall.

But summer is a great time for birding too. Many species of ducks and other waterfowl nest and raise their young in the waterways. Look for ubiquitous mallards and Canada geese alongside wood ducks, wigeons, teals, shovelers, pintails, mergansers, and canvasbacks.

You can also spot songbirds feeding and singing in the bushes that line the sanctuary trails. The area is home to several species of swallows, wrens, thrushes, and finches all summer long.

Be sure to explore the sanctuary's paths to discover the best quiet birding spots. The elevated viewing platforms and hidden bird blinds offer great bird watching but don't discount chance encounters on quiet waterside trails.

Whale Watching Tours

If you want to spot marine life, take a whale watching tour from downtown Vancouver or nearby Richmond. While orcas and humpback whales are the main attraction, you can also spot seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, eagles, and other birds. It's also a great way to get views of the city and nearby North Shore mountains from the water.

Summer is the best time to go whale watching since that's when most species of whales are in Vancouver's waters. Your guide will use radios to communicate with other tour operators and spotters to ensure you get the best wildlife sightings each day.

Don't forget to pack warm and waterproof clothing for your time on the water. And keep your camera gear protected in a waterproof bag.