The 4 Wildlife Kayak Tours in Canada That Earn Their Price

1.Snorkel, Kayak, and Seal Adventure: Vancouver Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $105Our pick

From Horseshoe Bay, Sea Dragon Charters takes you to Pam Rocks for seal watching, snorkeling, and kayaking. Guides including Robin, Emma, Erin, and Emily help with gear and water safety. You can stay aboard, but you must be able to swim for the water activities.

“OVERALL: This was AMAZING!!! Definitely recommend :) HOW IT GOES: First you will snorkel / can just float in water and watch the seals if you prefer, then snack break on boat (they made soup and hot chocolate and gave out chips and Rice Krispies), then you get a choice between snorkeling and kayaking. The kayakers are dropped off first, then the snorkelers. The kayakers go around the island to meet the snorkelers before going back to the boat. THE SEALS: Oh my they are so cute! They make dog-like noises. You will mainly see them perched on the rocks, but a couple may swim. None of them got close…”

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2.Wildlife on the Bow River Big Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 130 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67

Join an English-speaking guide such as Cam, Amelia, or Marti for a 90-minute evening paddle from the Banff Canoe Club. You’ll learn about local wildlife, help paddle a 12-seat canoe, and may spot elk, osprey, beavers, muskrats, deer, or bald eagles.

“It was a fun activity. Didn’t see any wildlife but still fun!”

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3.Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Join the Banff Canoe Club for an easy 90-minute paddle along the Bow River. Your guide handles navigation and shares local wildlife and conservation stories while you look for elk, beavers, bald eagles, loons, herons, and perhaps bears. No canoeing experience is needed.

“Operators were very nice and the canoe ride was relaxing but you don’t see much wildlife. I wouldn’t recommend.”

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4.Ottawa: Ecological Reserve Kayak Tour with Turtle Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $47Best value

Join Sylvie and a small group for a 2 to 3 hour kayak outing through Grandmaître Ecological Reserve, about 20 kilometers from downtown Ottawa. You’ll paddle calm inlets, look for turtles and birds, and learn about the area in English or French. Single and double kayaks are available.

“This was one of my highlights of our stay in Ottawa. Sylvie was a fantastic tour guide, from making sure our kayaks where the correct size, and supplying safety vests to showing us the wonderful wildlife. It is an incredibly relaxing spot, but very close to the city. We felt very safe at all times and even though the weather was very hot Sylvie still managed to show us a range of wildlife. Thank you, all 3 of us had a wonderful time.”

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