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A close up of a bear lifting its head above the grass in the Great Bear Rainforest.
Great Bear Rainforest | Spirit Bear Entertainment

The Unexpected Effects of Spring Wildlife Viewing

Written by: Amy Watkins | August 19, 2019

Have you ever been relaxing in a spa and heard birdsong or the gentle flowing sound of a stream? Being surrounded by nature has a calming effect on our bodies, so much so that spas replicate these natural sounds to help keep us relaxed and mindful.

A bird takes off from a rocky outcrop over the water.
Eagle on Vancouver Island | Eagle Wing Tours/Clint Rivers

Mindfulness is a buzzword in the world of wellness but nowhere are you more present than when you sit silently, expectantly, as you hold your breath, as you wait for a majestic grizzly to appear; or when you become conscious of every ripple in the water, scanning the horizon for the tell-tale jet of water from an orca’s blowhole. Spending time in nature invokes what we call the British Columbia Effect—a relaxing reset that allows your brain to take a restorative vacation.

A black bear walks across a rocky shoreline. Some of the rocks are covered in green rocks behind the bear.
Clayoquot Sound | Destination BC/Tom Ryan
An adult sheep and a baby sheep walk along a rocky ledge.
An adult sheep and a baby sheep walk along a rocky ledge.
A whale's tale above the water as the whale dives below the surface. The shoreline is in the distance and a few houses are scattered across the shoreline.
A whale’s tale above the water as the whale dives below the surface.

Nature is known to relieve everyday stresses when people explore expansive spaces and experience stimuli such as natural wonders and wildlife. Just a few days can have a significant impact on the brain. Researchers claim that the awe we experience in the wild can make us more generous, connected, and humble, altering our outlook on life.

BC's Wild Side

It’s easy to be inspired by an immersive wildlife watching trip, one that puts our brains in a restorative healing state as we notice the wisps of cloud in the sky, the backdrop to eagles soaring above, or the rippling patterns in the water, evidence of hidden marine life beneath the surface. Spring is a particularly enlivening time to visit BC as diverse fauna and flora awaken to a sparkling new season.

Two people wearing hooded black jackets look toward shore from a boat, the person on the left peering through binoculars. On shore, a bear stands near the grassy shoreline with the forest behind.
Sea Wolf Adventures | Indigenous Tourism BC

View Grizzlies on a Day-Trip Boat Excursion

Many Vancouver Island operators run wildlife viewing boat excursions through the Broughton Archipelago as early as April and May, with some offering reduced spring rates. Get on board and watch for grizzlies waddling out of hibernation off the shores of the Great Bear Rainforest—in Klahoose First Nation’s territory at Toba Inlet with Aboriginal Journeys (out of Campbell River), at Knight Inlet with Tide Rip Grizzly Adventures (out of Telegraph Cove), or in beautiful X̱a̱ḵwika̱n (Thompson Sound) with Seawolf Adventures (out of Port McNeill or Alert Bay).

A grizzly bear pokes their head out of the water. A fallen tree is behind them over the water close to the shoreline.
Farewell Harbour Lodge | Ted Hesser

Fly into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest

Take a longer break and plan for a completely immersive experience by visiting the northeastern tip of Vancouver Island, which offers a gateway to the wilderness lodges of the Great Bear Rainforest, (a remote area of BC that is most often accessed by air or water). Experience new growth in the estuary in beautiful Glendale Cove by visiting Knight Inlet Lodge via a chartered floatplane from Campbell River, or boat-hop from Alder Bay, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of Port McNeill, for a stay nestled on Berry Island at Farewell Harbour Lodge.

Yellow whale watching vessel with a dozen or so people on deck looking out to sea
Prince of Whales whale watching tours | Destination Vancouver/Prince of Whales Whale Watching

Explore on a City-Based Whale Watching Tour

BC’s cities are perched on the edge of wilderness, so you don’t need to go far to reap the rejuvenating benefits of nature. Whale-watching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpbacks, and grey and minke whales, and along the way, they often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles. Hop on a whale-watching boat from Vancouver or Victoria or take a tour from more remote locations on Vancouver Island or up the BC coast. Then watch, awestruck, as these spectacular cetaceans display their intelligence and grace.

The scale of nature can be breathtaking, whether we observe the sheer size of the incredible animals on a wildlife viewing adventure from Vancouver Island, or take in the diversity and richness found in the expansive parks and conservation areas near Vancouver.

Originally published in April, 2019.

Featured video/image: Great Bear Rainforest: Land of the Spirit Bear, Spirit Bear Entertainment

An orca whale leaps out of the ocean water on an overcast day.
Campbell River | Garry Henkel

Safe and Responsible Wildlife Viewing

BC is a place where wildlife roam free. It’s important to respect the natural ecosystems you visit and leave no trace for the safety and protection of the animals, the environment, as well as yourself and future visitors.

While travelling in BC, you should know what to do if you encounter or startle an animal. Always keep your distance and never approach or feed any wildlife. If you are travelling in the backcountry or rural areas, always dispose of garbage correctly and pack out what you bring in. Follow all wildlife-viewing laws and regulations, including directions from wildlife-viewing guides.

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Amy Watkins

From: Vancouver

Amy Watkins, a British-born travel and food writer, fell in love with Vancouver at the age of 18. She has travelled the world, but her steadfast love of the West Coast led her to move here in 2012. In the UK she worked as a features editor and freelance writer for 10 years, writing about travel for magazines and newspapers. She now writes about travel, food, and West Coast life for a variety of publications. When she’s not on her laptop, she can be found exploring Stanley Park or hiking in the rainforest with her bulldog, Rick James; tackling waves and tacos in Tofino; or eating her way around the province on a food-focused road trip. Amy has even been persuaded to eat kale chips and practise yoga—making her an honorary Vancouverite.