duck tour vancouver

Vancouver: A Bird Trail Outpost

Just a stone’s throw away from the city’s bustling urban life, Vancouver offers a captivating birdwatching adventure. With an array of diverse ecosystems, including ocean fronts, estuaries, parks, and forests, Vancouver provides a plethora of birding hotspots. From the iconic Stanley Park to the serene shores of English Bay, the gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park to the estuaries of the mighty Fraser River, the city is an important habitat for both local and migratory bird species.

Complementing the birding experience, Vancouver boasts a wealth of global dining, arts and cultural experiences, independent coffee shops and breweries, and many tourist hotspots. Birders can chart their course through the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods, embracing the dynamic urban birding opportunities that Vancouver offers. 

This itinerary will guide you through Vancouver’s unique neighbourhoods, allowing you to uncover hidden gems. Whether you’re observing waterfowl along the city’s waterways or exploring the forested trails of its parks, every moment offers a chance to connect with nature’s marvels.

Getting Here

• From Kelowna
• From Calgary
• From Montreal
• From Seattle
• via Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre 
• via HeliJet
• via BC Ferries
• via Via Rail
• via Rocky Mountaineer
• Cycling in Vancouver
• From Whistler 
• From Victoria

• 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)
• 2 White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
• 3 European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
• 4 House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
• 5 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
• 6 American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
• 7 American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
• 8 Common Raven (Corvus corax)
• 9 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
• 10 Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)

Data provided by eBird Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York.

• Spring Mar ch –Jun e
• Summer Jun e –Sep tember
• Fall Sep tember –Dec ember
• Winter Dec ember –Mar ch

Spring birding in Vancouver

Spring in the Vancouver heralds blossoms and the return of migratory birds.. Keep an eye out for the striking Golden-crowned Kinglet, with its vibrant yellow head crest, flitting among the blossoming trees. Listen for the melodious songs of the Swainson’s Thrush echoing through forests. Along the shorelines, watch for Great Blue Herons hunting for prey or American Coots dabbling in the weeds. Spring in Vancouver is bursting with life and a great opportunity to check off birds on your life list.

Summer birding in Vancouver

Summer in Vancouver is bustling with activity, when humans and birds live alongside each other. The warm season brings a ton of bird activity to the region’s diverse habitats. Look for striking Black-crowned Night Herons and their distinctive plumage along waterways. Listen for the cheerful songs of the Pacific-slope Flycatchers in forests. Along the shorelines, you might spot Caspian Terns and Violet-green Swallows . Vancouver’s rich birdlife promises exciting encounters with these and other species.

Fall birding in Vancouver

Vancouver in the Fall may bring rainy weather but it’s also a great time to go  birdwatching as migratory birds make their stopovers or settle for the season. Keep an eye out for Hooded Mergansers and Buffleheads on waterways. Scan the shorelines for the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs foraging along the rocky coast. Listen for the calls of Fox Sparrows in gardens and parks. Vancouver’s diverse ecosystems provide numerous opportunities to witness these and other migratory species during their seasonal travels.

Winter birding in Vancouver

Vancouver in the Winter is stopping ground for many migratory birds and home to year round species because of its temperate weather and diverse habitats. Look for the Barrow’s Goldeneyes and charismatic Anna’s Hummingbirds , which remain active year-round. In the forests, listen for the soft hoots of the Barred Owls and the calls of the Dark-eyed Juncos. Birdwatching is a great activity to get outdoors even when it’s a rainy Winter in Vancouver.

Stanley Park and Vancouver's West End

A visit to Stanley Park immerses you in iconic West Coast rainforests, idyllic ponds, manicured gardens and stunning views of the North Shore Mountains from the famous Seawall. The nearby West End neighbourhood of Vancouver is home to one of the most densely populated areas in North America, with a vibrant dining scene and a number of attractions in easy walking distance.

Vancouver’s largest urban park showcases the best of the pacific marine landscape as you wander through towering coastal rainforest, along the iconic sea wall with epic views of the North Shore Mountains and through carefully curated gardens showcasing the best of the regions flora. With a number of restaurants and attractions located throughout the park, it is easy to spend an entire day exploring the various habitats and species that can be found here. Over 230 species have been sighted in the park throughout the year, offering excellent viewing opportunities no matter the season. Winter finds the seashore teeming with waterfowl and shorebirds while spring brings flocks of warblers and birds of prey to the region to nest.

Open seasonally, the Prospect Point Cafe offers panoramic views from their location perched on a cliff overlooking the North Shore Mountains and Lions Gate Bridge.

Breka Bakery & Cafe (Denman) is located steps from Stanley Park and offers expertly crafted pastries alongside heartier sandwiches and a full espresso bar.

Discover a hidden gem at Delaney’s Coffee House on Denman Street, a local haunt where your cappuccino comes with a side of community charm.

A classic concession stand featuring reasonably priced favourites fresh from the grill for you to enjoy along the seawall at Stanley Park’s famous Second Beach.

Nestled amongst the recreational hub of Stanley Park in the revitalized sports pavilion, Stanley Park Brewing serves up crisp fresh pints alongside a globally inspired menu.

Featuring stunning views from their dining room, the Teahouse in Stanley Park offers diners a refined seafood forward menu accompanied by a curated wine list and full bar.

Capturing the best of their iconic Vancouver vantage point, Lift offers diners upscale pacific northwest cuisine with stunning views, local taps and a global wine list.

Located in Coal Harbour’s upscale marina, Cardero’s is your go to for waterfront upscale dining with stunning views of the North Shore mountains. 

A must-do for any naturalist visiting the area, the Stanley Park Nature House is located on Lost Lagoon with engaging wildlife exhibits and up to date information about what is happening around the park.

Centrally located, the Loden Hotel is a boutique accommodation offering personalized service, luxurious amenities and well-appointed rooms.

Located in the heart of the city, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is an urban oasis greeting guests with refined elegance and beautifully appointed rooms.

Well-located in the trendy West End neighbourhood steps from Stanley Park, The Listel pairs their commitment to the arts with a thorough suite of modern amenities.

A waterfront property known for its refined luxury, the Fairmont Waterfront is renowned for its exemplary service, rooftop pool and stunning views over Stanley park.

During your visit to Stanley Park be sure to visit the information booth to discover the many guided and self-guided tours that are available to enhance your exploration of this iconic destination.

Granville Island to Pacific Spirit Park

Crossing False Creek finds you at the historic Granville Island with it’s famous market and bustling atmosphere. Take your time tracing the shoreline through the trendy Kitsilano Neighbourhood as you make your way to walk sections of the Foreshore trail which wraps around the oceanfront campus of UBC before exploring the forested trails of Pacific Spirit Park.

Offering stunning views of downtown Vancouver, Vanier Park is host to open fields, cottonwood forests, tranquil ponds and a variety of shoreline habitats. With over 180 species spotted in the vicinity, a visit to Vanier Park can prove to be a productive urban habitat year-round. Visitor’s to the park during the summer should keep an eye out for a nesting pair of bald eagles who have frequented the site, while migration season can reward with exciting rarities and winter rewards with waterfowl aplenty.

Field Notes

Birding adventures from vancouver.

Starting at Acadia Beach with views towards downtown, the Foreshore Trail winds its way along the shoreline towards the infamous clothing-optional Wreck Beach. The trail winds its way along the shoreline, crossing rocky beaches, small creeks, through second-growth forests and past small waterfalls. This shoreline portion of Pacific Spirit Regional Park hosts over 160 species throughout the year, with highlights including seabirds such as the Pigeon Guillemot, Surf Scoter and Caspian Tern alongside a number of birds of prey, shorebirds and songbirds.

With over 73 kilometres of trails, it is easy to spend hours exploring the incredible coastal rainforest of Pacific Spirit Regional Park. A number of habitats can be found within the park that contribute to the diversity of species that can be spotted here. By far the largest wild greenscape within the urban area of Vancouver, the park is important habitat for songbirds and other woodland species such as the Pileated Woodpecker as well as Barred and Great Horned Owls.

A  short walk from Jericho beach, the Breka Bakery & Cafe Kitsilano location is  a neighborhood staple serving up delightful pastries and rich brews.

Corner Cup Coffee House is your friendly neighbourhood joint, offering up a full selection of hot and cold beverages alongside filling breakfast and lunch options.

This community staple has an extensive espresso menu in addition to delicious sweet and savoury baked goods served in a cozy atmosphere. Be sure not to miss the seasonally changing Cinnamon Buns.

An inviting spot to stop in for a hand-crafted beverage and a filling meal. Be sure to try their house-made biscuits or avocado toast paired with delicious seasonal soup.

A beloved local organic cafe specializing in sweet and savoury pies alongside an extensive breakfast and lunch menu all served in an inviting community atmosphere

A contemporary restaurant specializing in fried chicken, biscuits and all the fixin’s. Whether you stop by for their all day brunch, a creative sandwich or a classic combo, you will be glad you did.

A true retro diner serving up modern takes on brunch classics. Treat yourself to a nutritious breakfast and soak up the tried and true diner vibes.

Grab a seat on their patio just steps from Jericho Beach Park. The Galley offers waterfront views with a classic grill menu and craft beers on tap.

This “Breakfast, Burger and Beer” spot supports up and coming culinary students through training and funding supplied by the cafe. Stop by for a bite on their picnic benches and know that your meal is supporting the next generation of chefs.

A modern pub offering up comfort food favourites in a bustling environment featuring daily happy hours and vintage arcade games.

Blending authentic Cantonese cuisine with the dynamic Vancouver craft beer scene, Little Bird offers legendary dim sum dishes in a modern environment.

Stop in at Mix for a light breakfast or lunch or some delicious baked goods to bring along on your adventures. Choose from creative and classic breads as well as decadent cakes and individual pastries.

Heavy hitting deli sandwiches, classic Italian pastas and a well stocked selection of Italian grocery staples, a visit to Jo’s will set you up for a great day of exploring Vancouver’s neighbourhoods.

Offering a comprehensive selection of bird related items, including binoculars and birding guides, Wild Birds Unlimited also organizes monthly drop-in birding walks around the Vancouver area.

Located at the edge of the historic Gastown district, Skwachays is a boutique hotel that supports Indigenous artists through their gallery and artist-in-residence program. Enjoy a stay in their artist designed, thematic rooms and know that your visit is supporting local indigenous artists.

A revitalized boutique hotel featuring limitless charm from it’s former motor-inn days, the Burrard is located in the heart of downtown and is a perfect base for those who like to be where the action is.

Located downtown adjacent to BC Place, Hotel Blu blends technology with luxury providing guests with an elevated stay at their modern facility.

Visitors to this boutique hotel can expect airy and spacious rooms, a premium Granville Island location and gorgeous views of Vancouver’s waterfront.

Queen Elizabeth Park and East Vancouver

A visit to the exquisite hilltop gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park is a must do for visitors to the area. Vancouver’s vibrant Main Street neighbourhood lies just to the east, offering a number of exciting cafes and restaurants to fuel up before exploring some of the lesser known, but ecologically significant parks in Vancouver’s eastern neighbourhoods.

A hilltop park featuring an arboretum, rock garden, sculptures and the Bloedel Consevatory, the gardens are a must visit for horticultural enthusiasts. When it comes to the avian species, there are some exciting rarities sighted on an annual basis, including the Calliope Hummingbird and Red-naped Sapsucker. General birding is typically best in the spring time, as songbird migrants flock to the area but with over 177 species sighted in the park, there are opportunities for observation year round. If you are interested in exploring the exotic species at the Bloedel conservatory, a small entrance fee gains access to their floral exhibits and aviary with over 100 different bird species.

An urban wetland surrounded by forest, this popular Vancouver park is host to over 170 species of bird throughout the year. If visiting during the migration season, larger migrants such as Trumpeter Swans and American Pelicans may be spotted, while spring brings forth flocks of songbirds returning to the area to nest. Summer time yields a number of waterfowl on the lake, and fall again brings forth a flurry of migrants passing through. Wading birds are often sighted in the area, with Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson’s Snipe and Green Heron being spotted in recent years.

Everett Crowley Park is a carefully restored landscape that hosts approximately 200 species of birds throughout the year. From year round residents such as the Black-capped chickadee and Stellars Jay to the spring time migrants and summer visitors. Explore the trails that wind through lush woodland, open wetlands and offer views out towards the Fraser River from a number of viewpoints. If you happen to be in the area on the 3rd Sunday of the Month, join Margo on a morning bird walk to uncover more about the park and it’s inhabitants.

Located inside the community recreation centre, Blue Parrot Coffee’s Hillcrest location is a convenient location to fuel up with fresh coffee and baked goods before exploring the nearby Queen Elizabeth Park.

Drop into Prado Cafe & Kitchen for a clean, modern environment, expertly crafted beverages and a menu featuring delicious baked goods and creative brunch options.

A plant-based, vegan cafe serving locally roasted coffees and freshly baked pastries with a commitment to  sustainable urban food systems.

A contemporary cafe offering on-site baked pastries, a full breakfast and lunch menu alongside freshly roasted coffees in a bright, welcoming environment.

The Garden Cafe at the exquisite VanDusen Botanical Garden offers a beautiful view of the surrounding flora. Their menu features handcrafted hot and cold beverages, handmade sandwiches and soups as well as daily entree specials. They offer an Afternoon Tea Package and picnic baskets to enjoy in the gardens on a first come first serve basis.

A refined menu in an elegant setting at the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Gardens offering panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond. They offer lunch with a prix fixe menu option as well as a la carte dinner and weekend brunch.

A plant based restaurant offering up comfort food favourites reimagined into vegetarian and vegan friendly configuration. The lively atmosphere, well provisioned drink menu and great daily specials have made this spot a community staple, even amongst the carnivores.

Featuring the complex flavours of the middle east in an exploration of vegan cuisine, Chickpea Restaurant serves up delicious meals that are meant to be savoured in their bright and welcoming space.

An intentional environment featuring cuisine inspired by the local environment and changing with the seasons, Published on Main promises a culinary journey sure to impress.

A cozy restaurant dedicated to serving timeless food with a focus on highlighting the natural flavours featured on their seasonal menu.

Vancouver’s only 100% Indigenous owned and operated retail store in Vancouver featuring some of the best Northwest Coast artwork available. If you are interested in purchasing a piece of indigenous art, the experts at Cedar Root Gallery are available to assist.

More than just a bookstore, Massy Books is a quirky community hub that supports the arts through their gallery space located nearby and hosting regular community events. This 100% Indigenous owned business additionally aims to support their community by donating a portion of their profits to local charities.

Stanley Park

vancouver.ca (604) 681-6728

Prospect Point Cafe

prospectpoint.com (604) 669-2737

Breka Bakery & Cafe (Denman)

breka.ca (604) 423-3288

Delaney's Coffee House

delanyscoffee.com (604) 662-3344

Second Beach Concession Stand

vancouver.ca (604) 681-8029

Stanley Park Brewing

stanleyparkbrewing.com (604) 681-0460

Teahouse in Stanley Park

vancouverdine.com (604) 669-3281

Lift Bar & Grill

liftbarandgrill.com (604) 689-5438

Cardero's

vancouverdine.com (604) 669-7666

Stanley Park Nature House

stanleyparkecology.ca (604) 257-8544

Loden Hotel

theloden.com (604) 669-5060

Fairmont Pacific Rim

fairmont.com (604) 695-5300

The Listel Hotel

thelistelhotel.com (604) 684-8461

Fairmont Waterfront

fairmont.com (604) 691-1991

Stanley Park Information Booth

Vanier park.

covapp.vancouver.ca (604) 873-7000

Foreshore Trail

vancouvertrails.com

Pacific Spirit Regional Park

metrovancouver.org (604) 224-5739

Breka Bakery & Cafe

breka.ca (604) 620-3750

Corner Cup Coffee House

(604) 734-4524

Grounds for Coffee

groundsforcoffee.ca (604) 224-5282

Storm City Coffee

stormcitycoffee.com (604) 428-9585

Aphrodite's Organic Cafe

organiccafe.ca (604) 733-8308

Chewie's Chicken & Biscuits

chewiesbiscuitco.com (604) 336-9996

Sunshine Diner

sunshinedinerkits.com (604) 733-7717

The Galley Patio & Grill

thegalley.ca (604) 222-1331

DICED Discovery Cafe

dicedculinary.com (778) 997-8057

Good Co. Kits

goodcobars.com (604) 559-6070

Little Bird Dim Sum & Craft Beer

littlebirddimsum.com (604) 325-8132

Mix The Bakery

mixthebakery.com (604) 221-4145

Jo's Italian Deli

jositaliandeli.com (604) 564-9410

Wild Birds Unlimited

vancouver.wbu.com (604) 736-2676

Skwachàys Lodge Indigenous Hotel and Gallery

skwachays.com (604) 687-3589

The Burrard

theburrard.com (604) 681-2331

hotelbluvancouver.com (604) 620-6200

Granville Island Hotel

granvilleislandhotel.com (604) 683-7373

Queen Elizabeth Park

vancouver.ca (604) 873-7000

John Hendry Park (Trout Lake)

Everett crowley park.

vcn.bc.ca (604) 873-7000

Blue Parrot Coffee

blueparrotcoffee.com (604) 879-3301

pradocafe.com (604) 620-7977

Feast & Fallow

feastandfallow.com

Matchstick Riley Park

matchstickyvr.com (604) 569-4807

Garden Cafe at VanDusen

trufflesfinefoods.com (604) 267-4966

Seasons in the Park

vancouverdine.com (604) 874-8008

MeeT on Main

eatmeet.ca (604) 696-1010

Chickpea Restaurant

ilovechickpea.ca (604) 620-0602

Published on Main

publishedonmain.com (604) 423-4840

grubonmain.ca (604) 876-8671

Cedar Root Gallery

cedarrootgallery.com (604) 251-6244

Massy Books

massybooks.com (604) 721-4405

Explore More

In a city as bustling and dynamic as Vancouver, things are constantly changing. Head to the Destination Vancouver website to chat live with a travel expert and to find out what’s currently happening in the area.

Walk, cycle, or run this 28km seaside path that wraps around Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver and extends to the beaches of Spanish Banks.

For two weeks in May every year a number of events pop up around Vancouver to celebrate Birds.

Learn more about how this urban centre is prioritizing bird conservation for the future.

The ultimate urban birding companion.

Learn more about the official city bird of Vancouver.

The longest running citizen science project in the Western Hemisphere, Vancouver’s annual Christmas bird count has been running since 1900.

Get a glimpse inside a Heron nest broadcast live from the Stanley Park Heronry.

Collaborative leadership in environmental education, research, and conservation in Stanley Park.

A natural history organization offering a number of events throughout the year.

Bookable Experiences in Vancouver

A city like no other, Vancouver is a vibrant urban hub immersed in extraordinary nature. Discover the greatest of the great outdoors with these attractions and activities.

Harbour Air Flightseeing

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Segways and Ducktours - Vancouver Forum

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There is a City bylaw prohibiting the use of Segways.....can't remember the last time I saw one.

And no Ducks either-Welcome to No Fun City.

I did see someone on some kind of uni wheeled thing (not a unicycle). I can understand that they are not for general use or racing around the sidewalk, but Chicago has several places running organised tours along prescribed routes.

Could do, but having taken 48 years before I got to vancouver this summer I am not sure how soon I will be back, so I guess I will just leave it as a question!

i agree Sam ducks would make us infinetely funner

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Ultimate British Columbia: Coast & Grasslands

• Relatively easy and productive birding among the most scenically impressive areas of the province.
• Up to 200 species of birds; including many warblers, a dozen shorebirds, six wrens, five vireos, four hummingbirds, and many others.
• Spectacular mammal viewing with a great chance at black bears, orcas, grey whale, sea otter, elk, marmots and many more goodies.
• Visiting some renowned tourist hotspots and travelling off the beaten path too!
• Two spectacular boat trips.
• The chance to relax in the evenings over west coast cuisine and wine selection.

Tour Overview

From the temperate rainforest of the Pacific ocean to the grassland and desert areas of the Okanagan, we visit a diverse set of habitats on this birding tour of British Columbia.

We begin in Vancouver on the mighty Fraser River delta. This city’s position makes it a huge draw for birders from around the world who seek migrants, breeding birds and vagrants. Highlights here include exciting shorebird viewing in Boundary Bay, montane birds of the North Shore Mountains and seabirds and rainforest specialties of Stanley Park.

Vancouver Island awaits us after a two hour ferry ride. We’ll spend three days exploring birding hotspots near Victoria such as Swan Lake and Martindale Flats, and take a whale-watching tour to view orcas up close. We’ll visit the wild west coast near Tofino for a pelagic tour that opens up a world of possibilities for seabirds, and comb the beaches in hopes of whimbrels, eagles and perhaps even a wolf.

From here we’ll traverse inland to the famed Okanagan region, known not only for its vineyards but also for avian diversity. Areas such as Kilpoola Lake host Common Poorwills and perhaps even Sage Thrashers, while Vaseux Lake is a site where we could have our highest daily species totals for the trip.

Overall this unique British Columbia birding tour offers the chance to see an incredible array of birds in addition to some fantastic wildlife viewing. British Columbia is a magnificent province that has much to offer the naturalist explorer, from wild Pacific coastline to alpine tundra, and from arid desert to lush rainforest and more.

Dates & Prices

Dates & prices, what's included, tour price includes.

• All accommodation (Good quality)
• All breakfast and lunches
• Two boat trips (weather permitting)
• Ground transportation
• 1 guide with 4 - 8 participants, 2 guides in 2 vehicles with 9 - 12 participants
• All park, conservation and entrance fees

Tour Price Does Not Include

• Flights to and from Vancouver
• Evening meals (group will dine together, but pay individually)
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a personal nature
• Taxes (5% GST)

Day 1: Arrival in Vancouver

Our Ultimate British Columbia birding tour begins in Vancouver where we meet at our hotel for dinner on the first night. We’ll discuss our plans to explore Canada's most diverse province over the coming days. Night near the Vancouver airport.

Day 2: Vancouver area

We will hit the ground running by exploring a number of birding sites near the airport and in the Vancouver area. Iona Island is one of the best sites in a city that is renowned for good birding. We’ll listen for the chattering of Bewick’s Wren, Warbling Vireo and Bushtit as we explore this part of the Fraser River Delta. Iona is yet another primo site for shorebird and waterfowl viewing, and rarities are possible. A Spoon-billed Sandpiper was sighted here once! In one flock, we may see all seven species of swallows possible in Western Canada! From here we’ll head right into picturesque downtown Vancouver and through the rainforest environs of Stanley Park. We’ll cross over to the north shore for dinner. Night in North Vancouver.

Days 3 - 5: West Coast and Tofino Pelagic

This morning we’ll head upslope for some montane forest birding. Weather permitting, from Cypress Mountain we’ll have unreal vistas over the city while Vaux’s and/or Black Swifts parade by. This is our best spot on the tour for Black-throated Gray Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak and Anna’s Hummingbird. At Cypress, where the 2010 Olympics were hosted, we’ll hear and perhaps see a displaying male Sooty Grouse booming one of the world’s lowest frequency songs. More obvious songsters include Olive-sided and Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, Pacific Wren, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager along with Varied, Hermit and Swainson’s Thrush.

After this we’ll board a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, and from the deck we can scan the waters of the Strait of Georgia for seabirds such as Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorant, Rhinocerous Auklet, Marbled Murrelet and Pigeon Guillemot. Upon arrival we’ll get the sense of the relaxed feel of Vancouver Island as we traverse to the real west coast, stopping at a grove of majestic Douglas Firs, some more than 800 years old! Pacific Wren provides the complex audio backdrop to this wondrous ecosystem.

Nearing the coast we smell the ocean air and investigate the wild Long Beach, where we look for Black Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Wilson’s Warbler and Chestnut-backed Chickadee, among others.

The next morning, weather permitting, we depart on a pelagic adventure, and we don’t have to go far to find excitement. Gray or Humpback Whales might be sighted in near-shore waters and we’ll visit a small colony of Tufted Puffins. Once arriving offshore at the deep Clayoquot Canyon we may encounter ocean-faring species such as Black-footed Albatross, Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters, Common Murre, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Red-necked Phalarope and Ancient Murrelet, among many others. Blue Sharks, Rizzo’s Dolphins and Northern Fur Seals are a possibility and we have twice seen the enigmatic Short-tailed Albatross, a species that nests in Japan. Surprises await us on this six-hour tour.

Our second full day in the Pacific Rim area allows a backup day for the pelagic tour and otherwise more exploration of the ethereal rainforests in this area. We’ll hike another old-growth trail, scan for Pacific Loons and scoters over expansive beaches and visit the town of Tofino, where Bald Eagles are more common than House Sparrows. Nights in Ucluelet.

Days 6 - 7: Victoria

This morning we’ll commute south to the provincial capital of Victoria, stopping en route to check an estuary for wildlife. Raccoon, Mink, and River Otter are common here. We’ll see why the southeastern part of Vancouver Island is so attractive to retirees. Once in in Victoria we’ll settle in and have some down-time to see the famed Inner Harbour. When it’s time for more birding we’ll head for Royal Roads University campus to clean up on western specialties like Hutton’s Vireo, Western Wood-Pewee and Red-breasted Sapsucker. Suburban Victoria has the highest density of Cooper’s Hawks in North America and Barred Owls are common in the city parks. We’re not done with our ocean watch however, and we’ll scan for Glaucous-winged, Western, and lingering Mew Gulls. Great Blue Heron, Wandering Tattler and Harlequin Duck could be highlights at Clover Point. One day we’ll take a three-hour boat tour into Juan de Fuca Strait specifically to search for Orcas up-close and personal, as they munch on Chinook salmon. Humback whales are making a comeback and are a probable sighting, along with two species of Sea Lions.

In the evenings we’ll have a chance to relax amid Victoria’s charming ambience and perhaps enjoy a craft brew and some local seafood treats. Nights in Victoria.

Day 8: Manning Park

Keeping the flow, we depart Victoria and return on a different ferry back to the Lower Mainland, this time stopping at nearby Reifel Refuge. This renowned bird sanctuary will give us a great chance to get a closer look at some species. Resident Sandhill Cranes are of the friendly variety, and they can wander by with newly-hatched colts while we enjoy a picnic lunch. We may see a lingering Snow Goose, a chattering Marsh Wren and predators such as Peregrine Falcon and Great-horned Owl while at Reifel. Nearby, we may try for a roosting Barn Owl before driving to the Cascade Mountains. Night at Manning Park Lodge.

Day 9 - 11: The Okanagan

Manning Park is a stunning, mountainous birding venue. Depending on the snowpack in the mountains, we may be able to drive fairly high up into the montane zone to pick up some higher elevation species such as Boreal Chickadee, Pine Grosbeak, Clark’s Nutcracker and Spruce Grouse. At Lightning Lake we’ll have a look in the Engelmann Spruce forest for both species of Crossbill, Canada Jay and Northern Goshawk. We visit a roadside site where American Dipper nests. After lunch we’ll continue east and soon enter the Great Basin ecosystem. Nighthawk Road is a great introduction to sagebrush birding where hopefully we’ll catch Brewer’s and Lark Sparrows singing in the evening and with much luck we could encounter something rare such as Black-throated Sparrow or Sage Thrasher. These birds seem to arrive annually from south of the border, which is just over the hill. We arrive in the splendid Okanagan Valley in early evening and prepare for two final days of birding— possibly the best yet.

While in the Okanagan we’ll explore the best options for sagebrush and dry forest birding. Small lakes will hold plenty of ducks including Cinnamon Teal and Redhead. Near Oliver we’ll watch breeding Wilson’s Phalaropes try to out-compete Bobolinks for our attention while we search grasslands and patches of water birch for more amazing birds. At White Lake we’ll look and listen for Grasshopper Sparrow and Gray Flycatcher. At Vaseux Lake we’ll investigate the riparian areas for migrant surprises while listening to Canyon and Rock Wren both singing from the cliffs above (Marsh, House, Bewick’s and Pacific Wrens are also present!). We’ll scan for large and small birds alike, including Golden Eagles across the lake and Rufous, Black-chinned and Calliope Hummingbirds in the forests. Lewis’ Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Lazuli Bunting and Pygmy Nuthatch each have their favourite tree species to cling to. An evening foray might produce a Common Poorwill or Flammulated Owl.

If we need a breather there’s always a nearby winery to lunch at, or we can dip our feet into the warm waters of Osoyoos Lake nearby our hotel. Nights in Osoyoos.

Day 12: Return to Vancouver

On our final full day we have some time for more birding prior to returning on a four-hour drive to Vancouver. This leaves time for exploring since we take a different route—one takes us through other scenic mountains. We’ll be driving through areas of contiguous forest and may have time to detour and look for bonus birds. Night in Vancouver.

Day 13: Departure

Our British Columbia birding tour ends today. Breakfast is available, but you can depart for flights home anytime today. If you are carrying on to our Boreal Extension, you will join the guides for a morning flight to Fort St. John to truly round out your Ultimate British Columbia tour!

What to Expect

Overview Our Ultimate British Columbia tour is primarily a birding tour, but we will also look for other wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty of British Columbia.

The daily travel schedule varies to account for weather, bird species and habitat, but it is a fairly fast-paced tour due to the variety of habitats, locations and large distances we cover during this tour. Most mornings we are out early before breakfast, but return to have breakfast around 8. We will spend the remainder of our morning birding, before a leisurely lunch around noon. Afternoons will be either spent driving to our next destination, or birding with a possible break to recharge. In the evenings we will relax after dinner, but there are some night excursions scheduled to search for owls and other nightlife. These are always optional.

Food Breakfast is usually at the hotel after a morning in the field. Lunch is often at a restaurant, apart from a few picnics. Dinner is always at a good restaurant not far from our accommodation. During dinner we usually discuss the day’s activities and review the list of birds seen and heard.

Accommodation Accommodations during the tour vary but are all charming or luxurious, spacious and comfortable.

Walking For the most part, the walking on this tour is suitable for everyone. However, we will occasionally encounter slippery trail sections or uneven terrain, and we may have a short climb or two. The longest walk potentially will be our search for Flammulated Owl and Common Poorwill, requiring us to walk on an unpaved road at night, 2-3 km (1-2 miles), before turning back and doing that same distance again. Given that it is nighttime, the walk could be somewhat intimidating, however we are in a group and have portable flashlights to make this a doable endeavour for everyone.

Driving There is a fair bit of driving during this tour, with some daily driving stints of 2-3 hours. The longest drive will be 5 hours, returning to Vancouver. Roads can be twisty in some places.

Climate The tour will take place during BC's summer, traditionally a warm to hot time of the year, so rain is possible, although uncommon. That being said, we potentially visit some high altitude areas, where wind is a potential hassle. We will go on some night excursions and may encounter mosquitos. During this tour we will visit the alpine, subalpine, desert, coast and more. This means a high variety of temperatures and weather circumstances. Bring short and long-sleeved shirts/sweaters, a poncho/raincoat and both long pants as well as short.

Featured Wildlife

While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds or mammals listed below, we believe that encountering these species is quite likely during this tour.

• Ancient and Marbled Murrelets
• Tufted Puffin
• Barrow’s Goldeneye
• Sooty and Dusky Grouse
• Williamson’s, Red-naped, and Red-breasted Sapsucker
• Lewis’s Woodpecker
• Canyon and Rock Wrens
• Flammulated Owl
• Common Poorwill
• Calliope Hummingbird
• Black-chinned Hummingbird
• White-throated Swift
• Yellow-breasted Chat
• Gray Flycatcher
• Black-throated Gray Warbler
• Yellow-bellied Marmot
• Mountain Goat

Past Tour Checklists

View the list of birds and other wildlife we encountered on our past tours.

• Ultimate British Columbia species list 2023 (eBird)
• Ultimate British Columbia species list 2022 (pdf)
• Ultimate British Columbia species list 2022 #2 (ebird report)
• Ultimate British Columbia species list 2019

Trip Reports & Inspiration

Tour reviews, connecting tours.

Ultimate British Columbia: Boreal

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26 Species Of Ducks In British Columbia (Photos, ID, Calls, Season Guide)

Most people know a few duck species but I bet you’re surprised by the number of duck species that can be spotted in British Columbia.

This guide will help you identify all the species of ducks that can be spotted in British Columbia with photo IDs and descriptions, audio recordings of their calls, fun facts, and more. Also, get a guide to help you identify ducks using clues such as ‘where is the white’ at the end of this article.

Ducks belong to many subfamilies, which also include swans and geese, but there is some debate and changing family groups for some species.

Ducks are omnivores and eat both plants and animals, especially insects, crustaceans, and small fish. They will eat plants both in the water and on land.

Ducks have hard pointed structures called lamellae around the edge of their beaks that look with teeth which they use to grasp vegetation and filter food through the water.

Male ducks are called drakes, and they are more colorful than females. Female ducks are either called ducks or hens. All domesticated ducks are descended from the mallard.

This guide will help you identify the types of ducks spotted in British Columbia that are classed as regularly occurring according to avibase and the American Birding Association and uses data collected from bird watchers on ebird to give real information about when these birds can be spotted.

Ducks In British Columbia By Season

Ducks in British Columbia all year: Mallard, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Redhead, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, White-winged Scoter

Ducks in British Columbia in summer: Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal

Ducks in British Columbia in winter: Eurasian Wigeon, Canvasback, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck

Types Of Ducks In British Columbia :

There are 10 types of dabbling ducks, 6 types of diving ducks, and 10 types of sea ducks that have been spotted in British Columbia.

Dabbling Ducks (10 Species)

Dabbling ducks are freshwater ducks that feed on the surface of the water or by tipping up with their heads into the water and their rears into the air.

They sweep their heads from side to side while taking small ‘bites’ or ‘nibbles’ of the water to filter out plants. They also feed on land for seeds and grain or insects.

There is still some debate about whether some of these ducks should be included in a different subfamily, and these include Wood Ducks, Mandarin Ducks, and Muscovy Ducks.

Mallards are very common in British Columbia and can be spotted all year. They are recorded in 27% of checklists and 36% of winter checklists submitted by bird watchers for the province.

Mallards are large ducks, and the males have striking green heads. They also have bright yellow bills and gray bodies with brown breasts and black towards the tail. They have a curl of tail feathers and a blue patch on the wings bordered with white which is called a speculum.

Females and juveniles are mottled brown with orange bills but still have the blue speculum.

• Anas platyrhynchos
• Length : 19.7 – 25.6 in (50 – 65 cm)
• Weight : 35.3 – 45.9 oz (1000 – 1300 g)
• Wingspan : 32.3 – 37.4 in (82 – 95 cm)

Mallards remain all year in most of the lower 48 and the western coast of Canada and Alaska. Those that breed in Canada and Alaska head south to the southern United States and northern Mexico.

Mallards are one of the most commonly spotted and recognizable ducks that will happily be fed on ponds and rivers. They are dabbling ducks that feed on water plants and do not dive. They are very long-lived, and they have been recorded at 27 years old.

Mallard Calls:

Male Mallards don’t quack, only females do. Instead, the male makes a rasping sound.

Male Mallard Call

Female Mallard Call

Nests of Mallards are on the ground on land but close to the water. They are usually hidden under overhanging grass and made in a depression on the ground, filled with vegetation pulled from the surrounding area.

They lay up to thirteen eggs which take about 3 to 4 weeks to hatch, and the ducklings are ready to leave the nest almost immediately.

Fun Fact: Most domesticated ducks are descended from Mallards, and they have been hunted and bred for food.

2. American Wigeon

American Wigeons can be spotted in British Columbia all year but they are more common during winter, from September to May. They appear in 5% of summer and 19% of winter checklists.

American Wigeons are small ducks with green stripes on the sides of their heads and with white caps on the males. The rest of them are grayish-brown.

Females are brown with grayish-brown heads. Male and females both have pale beaks.

• Mareca americana
• Length : 16.5 – 23.2 in (42 – 59 cm)
• Weight : 19.1 – 46.9 oz (540 – 1330 g)
• Wingspan : 33.1 in (84 cm)

American Wigeons breed predominantly in Alaska, western Canada, and northwestern US states. They spend the winter in the southern and central US states and along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

You can find American Wigeons feeding on vegetation both in the water and on the land in wetlands, fields, and ponds. They will also eat insects and invertebrates.

American Wigeon Calls: Male American Wigeons give a high-pitched whistle, and females make a harsh grunt.

Male American Wigeon call

Female American Wigeon call

Nests of American Wigeon are on the ground, far from water in fields and grasslands. The female lines the depression in the ground with grass, reeds, and down feathers, then they lay up to 13 eggs which take 2 to 3 weeks to hatch. The ducklings leave the nest almost immediately.

Fun Fact: American Wigeons are known as ‘baldpate’ because their white stripe looks like a bald man’s head.

3. Green-winged Teal

Green-winged Teals are spotted in British Columbia all year, especially from September to April. They occur in 4% of summer and 10% of winter checklists.

Green-winged Teals are small dabbling ducks. Males have a green stripe along the sides of their heads. The rest of their heads are brown, and they have grayish bodies.

Females are brown with a yellow streak along the tail. Both males and females have a green wing patch.

• Anas crecca
• Length : 12.2 – 15.3 in (31 – 39 cm)
• Weight : 4.9 – 17.6 oz (140 – 500 g)
• Wingspan : 20.5 – 23.2 in (52 – 59 cm)

Most Green-winged Teals migrate from breeding grounds in Alaska, Canada, and northern US states to the southern US states and the Pacific Coast. However, some ducks remain around the Rocky Mountains all year.

You can find Green-winged Teals on flooded ground and shallow ponds in large flocks of up to 50 thousand. They feed on invertebrates and seeds.

Nests of Green-winged Teals are on the ground in dense cover such as grass or thickets.

Green-winged Teal Calls: Male Green-winged Teals whistle and chatter, and females have a high-pitched quack.

Male Green-winged Teal

Female Green-winged Teal

Nests of Green-winged Teals are on the ground in meadows and grasslands and near water. They lay up to nine eggs, which take around three weeks to hatch. The ducklings are ready to leave the nest almost immediately.

Fun Fact: Green-winged Teals don’t need to run across the surface of the water to take off. They can fly straight away as they are so agile.

Gadwalls are found all year in British Columbia. They appear in 6% of summer and winter checklists.

Gadwalls are large dabbling ducks that stand out despite their understated coloring. Compared to other bright and colorful dabbling ducks, Gadwalls are subtly colored with dark-brown heads, black, scaled patterns on the chest and shoulder, gray or white on their bellies, and black bottoms.

When in flight, a small, white patch can be seen on their wings. Females are generally brown all-over, with a more diffused scale pattern on their shoulder, back, chest and bottom.

• Mareca strepera
• Length: 19 – 23 in (48 – 58 cm)
• Weight: 35.27 oz (1000 g)
• Wingspan: 31 – 36 in (79 – 91 cm)

Gadwalls breed in the plains of the United States and Canada before migrating to central and southern US states and Mexico. Some remain all year on the West Coast.

You can find Gadwalls in open wetlands, grasslands, and marshes with dense vegetation. In winter, you can see Gadwalls in saltwater marshes, city parks, reservoirs, and muddy estuaries.

Gadwalls feed themselves by dabbling in shallow water. They submerge their heads until they can reach for plants and other vegetation underwater. They may occasionally feed on insects, too.

Gadwall Calls: Male Gadwalls make short reedy whistles, followed by a quack. Females quack and sound similar to mallards.

Male Gadwall call

Female Gadwall call

Nests of Gadwalls are often hard to find because they’re hidden in dense vegetation near water. They are made with grass and weeds and lined with feathers. There may be as many as fifteen eggs in a nest. The female incubates them for about twenty-seven days until they’re hatched. 

Fun Fact: Gadwalls sometimes steal food from other dabbling ducks as they surface from diving.

5. Wood Duck

Wood Ducks are spotted in British Columbia all year, mainly in the south. They are recorded in 7% of summer and 4% of winter checklists.

Male Wood Ducks have beautiful green heads with a striking crest at the back and black and white markings, and red eyes. They really are birds with great hairdos .

Their bodies are a checkerboard of colors, with reddish-brown chests, buff sides, brown backs and tails, white markings, and flashes of blue.

Females are brown with grayish-brown heads and white around their dark eyes. They have blue patches called speculum on their wings.

• Length : 18.5 – 21.3 in (47 – 54 cm)
• Weight : 16.0 – 30.4 oz (454 – 862 g)
• Wingspan : 26.0 – 28.7 in (66 – 73 cm)

Wood Ducks are residents of eastern US states and along the Pacific Coast and parts of the northwest. Wood Ducks that breed in the north along the border with Canada migrate for winter to southern US states and Mexico.

You can find Wood Ducks in wooded swamps, and they eat seeds, fruit, and insects, usually in the water, but they will also feed on land in fields and forests.

Wood Ducks Calls:

Male Wood Ducks make a rising whistle, and female Wood ducks make a distinctive 2-note call.

Male Wood Duck call

Female Wood Duck call

Nests of Wood Ducks are usually in tree cavities, very near to water, and may be up to 60 feet off the ground. Females line the nest with down feathers plucked from their breasts. They lay up to sixteen eggs, which take 4 or 5 weeks to hatch, and the young use their clawed feet to climb out before jumping out.

Fun Fact: Female Wood Ducks often lay their eggs in other Wood Duck nests to be raised by others.

6. Northern Pintail

Northern Pintails are usually spotted in British Columbia during winter, from October to April, but some also hang around all year. They occur in 1% of summer and 7% of winter checklists.

Northern Pintails are ducks known for their long pointy tails. Males have a beautiful brown head, with a contrasting white vertical stripe down their neck. Their bodies are white, and they have gray, white, and black patterns on their back. When in flight, their wings display a green patch.

Females are brown with intricate scaled patterns on their bodies. They also have a brown patch on their wings.

• Length: 20 – 26 in (51 – 66 cm)
• Weight: 36.33 oz (1030 g)
• Wingspan: 29 – 35 in (74 – 89 cm)

Northern Pintails breed in Canada, Alaska, and the Midwest before migrating to southern and coastal US states.

You can find Northern Pintails living with other duck species in open wetlands, marshes, prairies, and even in agricultural fields. They forage on the edges of lakes and ponds but are known to dabble in open water with other ducks. During winter, they will migrate to coastal lagoons, sheltered estuaries, and brackish marshes. 

Northern Pintails have a distinct advantage over ducks when dabbling for food. With their long necks, they can reach 12 inches deep into the water, much further than other ducks. They feed on seeds and roots of aquatic vegetation. They also eat seeds and grain from agricultural fields. During the breeding season, they eat more animals for protein, like aquatic insects and mollusks such as snails.

Northern Pintail calls:

Male Northern Pintail

Female Northern Pintail

Nests of Northern Pintails are usually found in shallow hollows on the ground, close to a water source. They are made with grasses and feathers and serve as home to at least twelve eggs.

The female incubates them for as many as twenty-five days and will lead the young to the water as soon as they’re hatched so they can feed on insects by themselves. They can fly in about fifty days but will not leave the nest until the female has completed molting. 

Fun Fact: Because Northern Pintails are agile and speedy birds, they are often hunted as a challenge in game shooting.

7. Northern Shoveler

Northern Shovelers are found all year in British Columbia. They appear in 4% of summer and winter checklists.

Northern Shovelers are dabbling ducks, and males have green heads and large spoon-shaped black beaks that make them easy to spot. They have reddish-brown sides, white chests, and black backs. Males also have blue patches on the wings.

Females are mottled brown with a blue shoulder patch and large orange beaks.

• Spatula clypeata
• Length : 17.3 – 20.1 in (44 – 51 cm)
• Weight : 14.1 – 28.9 oz (400 – 820 g)
• Wingspan : 27.2 – 33.1 in (69 – 84 cm)

Northern Shovelers spend the winter in the southern half of the US and along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts up to Canada. They migrate to the western half of Canada and northwestern US states for breeding in the summer. Some also breed around the Great Lakes.

You can find Northern Shovelers in sociable groups in shallow, stagnant water.

Crustaceans, invertebrates, and some seeds make up the diet of shovelers, and they filter them out by stirring up the bottom and swinging their bills from side to side through the water. They then push the water out through comblike projections called lamellae along the edge of their bills, catching any food.

Northern Shoveler Calls: Male Northern Shoveler calls sound like ‘hook-hook’ or ‘took-took’. Females have a nasal quack.

Male Northern Shoveler call

Female Northern Shoveler call

Northern Shovelers nest on the ground in short vegetation close to water. They lay around ten eggs, which take 3 to 4 weeks to hatch. The ducklings are able to walk and swim immediately.

Fun Fact: Northern Shovelers will sometimes form large groups that swim in circles to help stir up the bottom for feeding.

8. Blue-winged Teal

Blue-winged Teals are mainly spotted in British Columbia from May to October and appear in 4% of summer checklists.

Blue-winged teals are small ducks from the Anatidae family. Their head is bluish-gray with a white crescent in front of their eyes. Their body is spotted brown from the chest to the tail.

When their wings are unfurled, there is a distinct blue patch on the shoulders bordered with green and white. Females have the same scaly, brown pattern on their bodies, but they have no distinctive white markings on their faces.

• Spatula discors
• Length: 15 – 17 in (38 – 43 cm)
• Weight: 19.18 oz (544 g)
• Wingspan: 23 -31 in (58 – 79 cm)

Blue-winged Teals breed in the US and Canada before migrating to Florida, the Gulf Coast, southern West Coast, Mexico, Central and northern South America, and the Caribbean.

You can find Blue-winged Teals on shorelines with calm or sluggish water, so lakes and ponds with protruding trees and rocks are perfect. They also live around shallow water sources with abundant vegetation, like marshes and swamps. During the breeding season, you’ll find them in northern prairies and parklands.

Blue-winged Teals mostly eat aquatic plants that they find on the surface of their water. They may also eat aquatic insects, particularly during the breeding season.

Blue-winged Calls: They make high-pitched chattering calls, and females also quack.

Blue-winged Teals chattering calls

Female Blue-winged Teal Quack

Nests of Blue-winged Teals are often found in a hollow in the ground, sheltered behind tall grasses and near a water source. They are built from grass and weeds and lined with down.

Females lay up to fifteen eggs that they incubate for 2 to 3 weeks. The young ducklings may be able to walk a few hours after hatching, but they can only fly after six to seven weeks.

Fun Fact: Because of their long, over-ocean migration patterns, Blue-winged Teals have the highest mortality rate among dabbling ducks.

9. Cinnamon Teal

Cinnamon Teals are usually spotted in southern British Columbia during the breeding season, from April to September, but they are occasionally spotted all year. They appear in 4% of summer checklists.

Cinnamon Teal breeding males are the reason why these birds are named as such. They’re cinnamon-colored all over during the breeding season, and even their eyes are red. On their backs, they have a scaly reddish-brown patch. They have a pale blue shoulder, and a white line that separates it from the greenish lower wing.

Males will molt this glossy coloring and will then look similar to the females in winter. Females are brown with a scaly pattern on their chest, belly, and back. 

• Spatula cyanoptera
• Length: 14- 17 in (36 – 43 cm)
• Weight: 16.4 oz (465 g)
• Wingspan: 24 – 30 in (61 -76 cm)

Cinnamon Teals breed in western US states and southwestern Canada before migrating for winter to Mexico and South America. Some ducks remain all year in southwestern US states, Mexico, and South America.

You can find Cinnamon Teals in freshwater marshes and ponds. Cinnamon Teals belong to the Dabbling Duck family, so they live on food that they can find by skimming the surface of the water, especially in shallow water. They eat seeds, plants, and aquatic insects. They may opt to dabble just below the surface for submerged plants in deeper waters.

Cinnamon Teal calls:

Male Cinnamon Teal

Female Cinnamon Teal

Nests of Cinnamon Teals are built on the ground,  usually sheltered among tall grasses and vegetation but still near the water. The nests are made with grass made even softer with down. There can be up to twelve eggs in a nest, and it takes up to twenty-five days for the eggs to hatch. After about 50 days, the young are able to fly on their own. 

Fun Fact: Cinnamon Teals change breeding partners every year.

10. Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeons spend winter in southern British Columbia and occur in 2% of checklists at this time. They are mainly spotted from October to mid-May.

Eurasian Wigeons stand out among dabbling ducks because of the bright, creamy patch on their heads that contrasts with their cinnamon-red head and blue-gray bill. Their backs are gray as well as their sides. They have pinkish breasts, and their wings have white shoulder patches with a green layer at the bottom. Females are mostly brown, with scaly patterns all over and white bellies.

• Mareca penelope
• Length: 18 – 20 in (46 – 51 cm)
• Wingspan: 30 – 32 in (76 – 81 cm)

Eurasian Wigeons can sometimes be spotted during winter in the US in a few areas.

You can find Eurasian Wigeons on wet grasslands, tidal flats, marshes, ponds, and lakes. Eurasian Wigeons usually join other dabbling ducks when they forage for food. They eat aquatic vegetation that is either submerged or just below the surface of the water.

Eurasian Wigeons also like to relax on land, and they are known to snatch food from other ducks as they surface from feeding.

Eurasian Wigeon calls:

Nests of Eurasian Wigeons are usually in shallow holes in the ground, protected by tall grasses and weeds. Females create the nests using grass and feathers and are often near the water. Females lay from seven to nine eggs. They incubate them for about twenty-five days, and then it takes around two months before the young can fly. 

Fun Fact: The “Penelope” in the Eurasian Wigeon’s scientific name comes from Greek Mythology, after Odysseus’ wife, who was rescued by a duck when she was thrown into the ocean.

Diving Ducks (6 Species)

Diving ducks are so called as they dive to the bottom of deeper water in search of food in freshwater, tidal lagoons and estauries. They are members of the Aythyini subfamily and are different from the sea diving ducks that are members of the Merginae subfamily.

Diving ducks’ legs are placed further back to help them swim and dive and so they do not usually walk on land as dabbling ducks do. They eat fish, aquatic plants, and shellfish.

11. Bufflehead

Buffleheads are mainly spotted in British Columbia from November to May, but some also remain all year. They are recorded in 5% of summer and 27% of winter checklists.

Buffleheads are small birds with bulbous heads, hence their name, “bullheaded,” from ancient Greek. Male Buffleheads are easily recognizable because of the huge white patch behind their eyes. This patch highlights the glossy green and purple colors on the crown, forehead, throat, and neck. The bottom half of their bodies are white, while the upper half is black. 

Female Buffleheads look nothing like the males, except for the bulbous head. They have dark brown or black heads with a white patch below the eye. Their bottom half is gray, and their top half is black. Juveniles look similar to females with their brown heads and a white patch on the head. 

• Bucephala albeola
• Length: 13 – 16 in (33 – 41 cm)
• Weight: 21.16 oz (600 g)
• Wingspan: 20 – 24 in (51-61 cm)

Buffleheads breed mainly in Canada before migrating to the US, northern Mexico, and Canada’s Pacific coast. They can be seen during migration in the Midwest and the Appellations.

You can find Buffleheads in small lakes and ponds with nearby poplar and aspen forests during the breeding season. In the winter, they move to protected coastal waters or shallow bays and inlets. 

Buffleheads mostly dive as they forage for food. They catch mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic insects, which they eat while underwater.

Bufflehead Calls: Buffleheads are quiet birds and don’t make particularly loud calls. Males usually only make sounds around the breeding season and make chattering sounds or squeals. Females call to their young.

Male Bufflehead call

Female Bufflehead call

Nests of Buffleheads are often found in tree cavities, particularly those previously used by Northern Flicker woodpeckers. These are very small tree holes that are close to water.

The female places several down feathers on the nest just enough to cover the eggs. She lays from six to eleven eggs that she incubates for thirty days. 

Attract Buffleheads to your backyard by putting up nest boxes. There is a lot of nest competition with other goldeneyes, which drives Buffleheads to seek safer and better nesting areas. 

Fun Fact: Buffleheads are monogamous ducks and may remain with their chosen mate for several years.

12. Ring-necked Duck

Ring-necked Ducks are found all year in British Columbia. They appear in 4% of summer and 8% of winter checklists.

Ring-necked Ducks are medium-sized ducks that have a steep black forehead, a gray bill fringed with white and a black tip, a black chest and back, and a white breast and belly. They have a cinnamon collar around their neck.

Females don’t show the ring and are mostly brown everywhere except for their gray faces and white outline around their eyes. Their bills also don’t have the white outline the males have, but they do have a white band near the black tip of their bill.

• Aythya collaris
• Length: 14 – 18 in (36 – 46 cm)
• Weight : 32.09 oz (909 g)
• Wingspan: 24 – 30 in (61 – 76 cm)

Ring-necked Ducks breed in Canada and northeastern US states before migrating to southern and western US states, Mexico, northern Central America, and the Caribbean.

You can find Ring-necked Ducks in small, shallow ponds and rivers. Breeding habitats may include wooded lakes in forests. 

You can find Ring-necked Ducks foraging on the surface and only occasionally diving below the water in small, shallow ponds and rivers. Even though they are diving ducks, they behave more like dabbling ducks.

They eat plants on the surface of the water and submerged plants like pondweed. They also eat wild rice and animals such as earthworms, leeches, and snails.

Ring-necked Duck Calls: A series of barking grunts

Nests of Ring-necked Ducks are bowl-shaped and built on shallow water with a lot of vegetation for cover. They are made with plant materials and can hold as many as ten eggs. The females incubate these eggs for about a month and stay with the young until they’re ready to fly. 

Fun Fact: Though you may think that the ring around the Ring-necked Duck is used to easily distinguish them from other birds, you’d be mistaken. It’s hardly noticeable. Better to look for their steep, black forehead and blue-gray bill with the white band.

13. Lesser Scaup

Lesser Scaups can be spotted in British Columbia all year. They occur in 3% of summer and 5% of winter checklists.

Lesser Scaups are medium-sized diving birds that are pretty similar and often mistaken for Greater Scaups. What makes them different is that Lesser Scaups have a small group of hairs at the tip of their heads. It makes their head look steeper than Greater Scaups. 

Their heads, chests, and bottoms are all black with a purple sheen. Their eyes are golden yellow. Their sides are white, and their backs are grayish with an intricate pattern.

Females have dark-brown heads, a white patch on their face next to their bills, gray sides, and are brown all over, and no extra tuft of hair on the head like the males.

• Aythya affinis
• Length: 15 – 18 in (38 – 49 cm)
• Weight: 40.77 oz (1155 g)
• Wingspan: 24 – 33 in (61 – 84 cm)

Lesser Scaups breed in northwestern US states, western Canada, and Alaska before migrating to southern US states, Mexico, and the east and west US coasts. They can be seen during migration across the rest of the US and Canada.

You can find Lesser Scaups in large lakes, rivers, ponds, and reservoirs. They usually flock together by the thousands during winter, and they often look like floating vegetation when viewed from afar.  

Lesser Scaups feed primarily on mollusks and clams that they find after diving into the water and sifting through the bottom. They also dabble in the water for plant vegetation like bulrushes, wild celery, wild rice, and pondweeds.

Recently, they have begun to feed on zebra mussels in Lake Erie, which may endanger their health because these animals are filter feeders and contain environmental contaminants.

Lesser Scaup calls: Male Lesser Scaups are quiet and only make soft gurgle calls. However, females are much louder and make harsh grunts.

Male Lesser Scaup

Female Lesser Scaup

Nests of Lesser Scaups are usually found on the ground very close to the water. Females may share their nests with others, so one nest may contain eggs from more than one female. The nests themselves are scraped and lined with plants and feathers. 

One female may lay up to eleven eggs, but the nest may contain up to twenty-six eggs, including those from other females. Incubation lasts only three weeks, and the young immediately head to the water after hatching. 

The young are cared for by the females, but they can feed themselves. In about fifty days, they are able to fly and migrate with the others. 

Fun Fact:  An adult Lesser Scaup may pretend to be dead when in the jaws of a predator like the Red Fox.

14. Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Ducks are spotted in southern British Columbia all year. They are recorded in 3% of summer and 1% of winter checklists.

Male Ruddy Ducks certainly live up to their name. During the breeding season, Male Ruddy Ducks are bright reddish-brown compared to their dull, grayish coloring when non-breeding. They have black caps on their heads that extend down the back of their necks, large white cheek patches, and bright blue bills.

Females have dark brown caps and similar but grayish cheek patches. They also have a slightly faint brown, horizontal line across their cheeks. Their bodies are also grayish-brown like the non-breeding males.

However, non-breeding males have the same distinct pattern and coloring as breeding males with respect to their heads. 

• Oxyura jamaicensis
• Length: 14 – 16 in (35.56 – 40.64 cm)
• Weight: 28.04 oz (795 g)
• Wingspan: 21 – 24 in (53 – 61 cm)

Ruddy Ducks breed in western US states and western Canada before migrating to southern US states and the east and west coasts of the US and also Mexico. Some birds remain all year in western Mexico.

You can find Ruddy Ducks in freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds with marshy borders and portions of open water during the breeding season. In winter, Ruddy Ducks prefer shallow, saltwater coastal bays and estuaries. If there are any ice-free lakes and ponds, Ruddy Ducks will most likely stay there as well. 

Ruddy Ducks are divers and spend their time diving and swimming underwater for food. They feed on aquatic vegetation, like the seeds and roots of aquatic plants, and may also eat aquatic insects, shellfish, and crustaceans. They also skim the water surface and strain mud and water through their bills to eat, so they may eat small fish and mollusks too.

Ruddy Duck Call: Ruddy Ducks are relatively quiet, but during courtship, the males make display calls, and some sound like water bubbles. Females make a series of nasal grunts to call her young.

Male Ruddy Duck

Female Ruddy Duck

Nests of Ruddy Ducks are built by females to float on the water but remain hidden in dense marsh vegetation. Nests are made of grasses and cattails and lined with down. The female then anchors the floating nests to vegetation on the water.  

Females lay five to fifteen eggs, some of them in other females’ nests. She incubates these for around twenty-five days. After hatching, the young head into the water where they can swim and dive immediately. Females look after them, but they essentially feed themselves. They can fly after around fifty days. 

Fun Fact: In Europe, Ruddy Ducks are included in the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern since 2016. This means that the species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union.

15. Redhead

Redheads are spotted in British Columbia all year, mainly in the south. They appear in 2% of summer and around 1% of winter checklists.

Redheads are exactly what these medium-sized diving birds are. They have a striking red head, contrasting with a black throat and chest and a gray body. Their bill is blue-gray with a black tip. Females share the same bill but are otherwise brown all over.

• Aythya americana
• Length: 18 – 22 in (46 – 56 cm)
• Weight: 43.03 oz (1219 g)

Redheads breed in western Canada, Alaska, and western US states before migrating for winter to southern US states, the east coast of the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

You can find Redheads in marshes, open lakes, reedy ponds, and bays where the water is deep enough to dive and root out plant vegetation. In winter, they migrate to coastal shorelines with calm waters or in reservoirs and estuaries.

Redheads dive for food, but they don’t go as deep as other ducks. Their movement may be more similar to dabbling. They eat a lot of plant vegetation when it’s not the breeding season. Their food includes seeds, tubers of pondweeds, water lilies, and grasses. Breeding season means they eat a lot of animals like mollusks, insects, and small fish.

Redhead Calls:

Male Redhead

Female Redhead

Nests of Redheads are formed by the females over or near the water. They are thick and bulky, made out of plant stems, cattails, and sedges. Redheads lay nine to fourteen eggs, but there are times when they lay their eggs in other ducks’ nests. Incubation of the eggs lasts for about a month. 

Fun Fact: Redheads can form large flocks of thousands in two Gulf of Mexico bays during winter.

16. Canvasback

Canvasbacks usually spend winter in British Columbia and occur in 1% of checklists at this time. They are mainly spotted from September to mid-June.

Male Canvasbacks are easily recognizable ducks from the Anatidae family because of their red eyes and sloping reddish-brown heads and throats. Their chest is black, but their bellies and backs are white or grayish. Their bottom is black too. Females are mostly brown in the head, throat, and chest, but their backs and bellies are brown and gray. 

• Aythya valisineria
• Length: 19 – 24 in (48 – 61 cm)
• Weight: 58.48 oz (1657 g)
• Wingspan: 28 – 36 in (71 – 91 cm)

Canvasbacks breed in western Canada and some areas in northcentral states before migrating to southern US states, Mexico, and the east and west coasts of America.

You can find Canvasbacks in prairie marshes, deep-water marshes, lakes, bays, and ponds. They usually join large flocks with other birds, but their white bodies and sloping heads easily make them stand out. In winter, they prefer to live in freshwater lakes and coastal waters. 

Canvasbacks are diving ducks, so they typically forage for food in open water. Their webbed feet are perfect for diving as they root out tubers and other plant food at the bottom of marshes, lakes, and ponds. They may occasionally dabble for seeds, buds, roots, snails, and insect larvae, too. Their favorite food is the tubers of Sago Pondweed.

Canvasback call:

Nests of the Canvasbacks are bulky and strong, made of reeds and grass that may be found on open water or on marshes with lots of plant vegetation and protective cover. The female lays five to twelve eggs that take about a month to hatch. It takes about sixty to seventy days for the ducklings to be able to fly and fend for themselves. 

Fun Fact: The word “valisineria” in the Canvasbacks’ scientific name comes from Vallisneria americana, or wild celery, which is their favorite food during the non-breeding period.

Sea Ducks (Diving Ducks) (10 Species)

Sea ducks are members of the subfamily Mergini that are different from other diving ducks. They spend the majority of their time out at sea in winter and often breed in the far north.

17. Common Merganser

Common Mergansers can be spotted in British Columbia all year, but their numbers increase during migration, from October to April. They are recorded in 6% of summer and 16% of winter checklists.

Male Common Mergansers are simple-patterned birds but striking nonetheless. They have black heads with a glossy green sheen, dark eyes, bright-red, long, serrated bills, white bodies, and black backs. While they do have a crest, it’s not often visible. 

Females have a more prominent reddish-brown crest. They have the same red, serrated bill as the males. They also have a white chin patch, and their breast and bellies are white, their backs are gray. Juveniles resemble females. 

• Mergus merganser
• Length: 22 – 27 in (56 – 69 cm)
• Weight: 60.8 oz (1723 g)
• Wingspan: 31 – 37 in (79 – 94 cm)

Common Mergansers breed in Canada and migrate to the US. Some remain all year in northeastern and northwestern US states.

You can find Common Mergansers in freshwater lakes and ponds. They are also found in small rivers and shallow shorelines and even sitting on rocks in the middle of a stream. While they prefer freshwater habitats, they sometimes visit saltwater regions too, like coastal estuaries and harbors.

Common Mergansers are diving ducks, and they love to eat fish, particularly the adults. Their serrated bills make it easy for them to capture and hold these fish as well as mussels, crustaceans, and other aquatic creatures. Gulls often follow them when hunting to steal the fish from them. 

Common Merganser Calls: They are usually fairly quiet, but Male Common Mergansers give alarm calls, and females make a series of grunting calls to their young.

Male Common Merganser call

Female Common Merganser call

Nests of Common Mergansers are usually found in a tree cavity in mature forests. They often use abandoned tree holes and line them with down feathers. They also use nest boxes where available. If there are no tree cavities, they use crevices on cliffsides. 

Females lay six to seventeen eggs and have been known to lay eggs in other nests of the same species. They incubate these eggs for around thirty days. When the young hatch, they immediately head for the water to feed themselves. The female may assist them in finding food, but otherwise, they fend for themselves. 

Fun Fact: Common Mergansers are also called “sawbills,” “fish ducks,” or “goosanders.”

18. Hooded Merganser

Northern Shovelers are usually spotted in British Columbia during winter, from November to April, but they are also spotted all year. They appear in 2% of summer and 12% of winter checklists.

The Hooded Merganser is the second smallest species of Merganser and the only Merganser that lives entirely in North America. 

Male Hooded Mergansers are striking ducks because of the crests on their head that they can raise or lower, which then changes the shape of their head and the pattern of the crest. When open, the crests are huge white patches, but when closed, they are a thick white line. 

Apart from the white crests, their heads are black, and they have golden yellow eyes. Their bodies are black, except for their cinnamon-colored flanks and white chests. They have two black bars on their chests, and their lower backs have white stripes.

Females have the same crest, but theirs is reddish-brown. Their bodies are brownish-gray all over, lighter on the bottom and darker on top. Their eyes are somewhat duller than the males. Juveniles have brownish crests, black top half, and brownish-gray on their bottom half. 

• Lophodytes cucullatus
• Length: 16 – 19 in (41 – 48 cm)
• Weight: 32.09 oz (909 g)
• Wingspan: 24 – 26 in (61 – 66 cm)

Hooded Mergansers live in eastern US states all year, but those in eastern Canada migrate for winter. They also spend all year in southwestern Canada. They can be spotted during migration in the Midwest and in winter in southern US states and the West Coast.

You can find Hooded Mergansers in freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. They prefer to breed in small, forested ponds and estuaries with lots of aquatic vegetation. During migration, they visit a wide range of habitats, like open water, coastal bays, and tidal creeks. In winter, they are found in brackish swamps, saltwater bays, and inlets.

Hooded Mergansers forage by diving underwater. They catch their prey with their serrated and hooked bill. They will eat aquatic insects, fish, and crustaceans, particularly crayfish. In forested regions, they may eat snails, frogs, aquatic plants, and seeds.

Hooded Merganser Call: They are usually silent, but male Hooded Mergansers will make a frog-like croak during courtship, and females make a flight call.

Male Hooded Merganser call

Female Hooded Merganser call

Nests of Hooded Mergansers are often found in tree cavities that are about ten to twenty feet above the ground. They are usually beside or close to a water source and lined only with down feathers. Females lay seven to fifteen eggs and will incubate them all at the same time after the last egg has been laid. The incubation period usually takes just over thirty days. 

Within twenty-four hours after hatching, the young jump to the ground from the nest and head to the closest water source. They can swim on their own and are able to find their own food. The female will still tend to them and lead them to areas with abundant food but only for a few more weeks. 

Fun Fact: Hooded Mergansers are able to see underwater, which helps them when they forage for food.

19. Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneyes are mainly spotted in British Columbia in winter from November to April, but some stay here all year. They occur in 1% of summer and 16% of winter checklists.

Common Goldeneye males have green heads that are iridescent and can look almost black. They have a white spot under their yellow eyes. They have white bodies and sides and black backs.

Female Common Goldeneyes are grayish-brown with brown heads. Both males and females have black bills, but females have a yellow tip.

• Bucephala clangula
• Length : 15.8 – 20.1 in (40 – 51 cm)
• Weight : 21.2 – 45.9 oz (600 – 1300 g)
• Wingspan : 30.3 – 32.7 in (77 – 83 cm)

Common Goldeneyes breed in Canada and Alaska in summer and migrate late to the lower 48 for winter.

You can find Common Goldeneyes in boreal forest lakes during the breeding season and in coastal areas in winter. Common Goldeneyes are diving ducks that feed on crabs, shrimp, crayfish, fish, fish eggs, and insects.

Common Goldeneye Calls: They are quiet ducks, but male Common Goldeneyes make soft calls, and females make harsh alarm calls.

Common Goldeneye Male

Common Goldeneye Alarm call

Nests of Common Goldeneyes are in holes in trees, and they use whatever is in there, plus some plucked-down feathers for the nesting material. They lay up to nine eggs which take around thirty days to hatch.

Fun Fact: Common Goldeneyes can fly at speeds of over 40 miles per hour.

20. Surf Scoter

Surf Scoters are found all year in British Columbia. They appear in 2% of summer and 8% of winter checklists.

Male Surf Scoters are medium-sized birds that are sometimes called “old skunk-head coot” because of the distinct white patches on their forehead and nape that stand out against their black, velvety feathers.

Aside from these distinctive features, male surf scoters also have a large orange bill with white, red, and yellow patterns. At the base of the bill is a large, black spot. Their eyes are white. 

Female Surf Scoters are mostly dark gray, but they have the white patch at the base of their bill and near the back of their eyes. They have the same bill as the male, except that theirs is smaller and dark gray.

Juveniles are brownish in color, have black eyes, and have the same coloring and shape of the bill as the males.  

• Melanitta perspicillata
• Length: 17 – 21 in (43 – 53 cm)
• Wingspan: 30 – 36 in (76 – 91 cm)

Surf Scoters breed in northern Canada and Alaska before migrating to the US coasts and Canadian coast.

You can find Surf Scoters in forests near freshwater lakes during the breeding season. During their molting season, they prefer shallow bays, inlets, and estuaries, places that have a good source of food and lesser threats of predation. But, they are most likely on the ocean during winter. 

Surf Scoters mostly get their food by diving underwater. They also adapt their foraging attempts depending on the abundance of food. For instance, they will feed on Pacific Herring eggs during their spawning since there is less effort but more food supply. During the breeding period, they will find freshwater invertebrates and crustaceans.

Surf Scoter calls:

Nests of Surf Scoters are usually well-concealed, built on the ground, under thick brush or low tree branches, and not always near water. The female digs a bowl-shaped depression on the ground and lines it with grass and down feathers then lays around five to eight eggs which she incubates for about a month. In dense breeding areas, broods may get mixed up. 

Fun Fact: Gulls often try to steal the prey that Surf Scoters catch from diving. That’s why flocks frequently make synchronized dives and surfacing to make it difficult for other birds to steal from them. 

21. Barrow’s Goldeneye

Barrow’s Goldeneyes are usually spotted in British Columbia in winter from November to April, but some also remain all year. They are recorded in 3% of summer and 6% of winter checklists.

Barrow’s Goldeneyes are medium-sized ducks that are commonly mistaken for Common Goldeneyes because they have very similar features. Male Barrow’s Goldeneyes have black heads with a glossy purplish sheen. They have a white crescent-like patch behind their black bill.

They have golden yellow eyes and white chests and bellies. Their top half is black with distinct white shoulder bars. 

Female Barrow’s Goldeneyes have gray bodies, a white collar around their necks, dark brown heads, yellow-orange bills, and the typical golden yellow eyes. They also have white wing patches like the males.

Juveniles are similar to females, except they have a faint white crescent mark of the adult males. 

• Bucephala islandica
• Length: 16 – 20 in (41 – 51 cm)
• Weight: 38.4 oz (1088 g)

Barrow’s Goldeneyes breed in western Canada, Alaska, and a few areas of eastern Canada near the coast before migrating to northwestern US states and the west coast of Canada.

You can find Barrow’s Goldeneyes in small mountain lakes and small ponds with nearby mature trees with nesting cavities. During migration, they stop at estuaries, bays, and inlets. In winter, you’ll find them along rocky ocean coasts or inland lakes. 

During the breeding season, Barrow’s Goldeneyes favor aquatic insects and, in fact, will head to habitats that have no insect-eating fish around so they won’t have any competition for this type of prey. In winter, they will feast on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.

Barrow’s Goldeneye call:

Nests of Barrow’s Goldeneyes are usually in cavities in cliffs and trees, or they use old woodpecker holes. They may nest on the ground under a bush if there are no available cavities. The female lays six to twelve eggs and incubates them for about a month. 

When they hatch, the female leads their young to where the food is so they can feed themselves. Sometimes, broods mix with other broods, particularly if the female leaves early or when broods are part of a territorial dispute among females. 

Attracting Barrow’s Goldeneyes to your backyard is possible if you put up nest boxes for them before the breeding season. 

Fun Fact: In Iceland, around Lake My’vatn, local residents always have nest boxes around their homes and barns for Barrow’s Goldeneyes. It has been a long-standing tradition for the people in this area to host these ducks.

22. Harlequin Duck

Harlequin Ducks are spotted all year in British Columbia, but their numbers increase from October to January. They appear in 1% of summer and 5% of winter checklists.

Harlequin Ducks are small, extremely striking sea ducks. They are instantly recognizable because of their unique multi-color and multi-patterned features. Breeding males are more colorful than females. 

They have slate blue color on their head, neck, and body and reddish sides and crowns. Black bordered white stripes line their chest, neck, and head, and a white dot behind their eyes. They also have white markings on their back.

Non-breeding males have brown bodies but the facial markings of breeding males.

Females are generally brown all over with three recognizable white markings on their heads – a small patch on top of the eye, another small patch in front of their bill, and a small dot behind the eye.

• Histrionicus histrionicus
• Length: 15 – 21 in (38 – 53 cm)
• Weight: 24 oz (680 g)
• Wingspan: 26 – 28 in (66 – 71 cm)

Harlequin Ducks breed in eastern and western Canada near the coasts and Alaska before migrating short distances to the Canadian coasts and the coasts of northeastern US states.

You can find Harlequin Ducks in fast-moving mountain streams and rivers and pounding surf and white water during the summer. In winter, you can find them on rocky, wave-lashed coasts, wherever there are turbulent waters. 

Harlequin Ducks are excellent swimmers and divers used to their harsh surroundings. They easily swim through tough currents and dive for food underwater. In the process, they may get dashed against the rocks because of the turbulent waves. They eat mollusks and crustaceans, small fish, and marine worms. They also eat aquatic insects that they find on the bottom of rivers.

Harlequin Duck Song:

Nests of Harlequin Ducks are often found on the ground near the water. They may be concealed in a tree cavity, a tree stump, or a rock crevice. They are usually just a shallow depression made of grasses, twigs, and weeds and lined with down. The female lays three to ten eggs that she has to incubate for about a month. 

Fun Fact: Harlequin ducks are sometimes called the “Sea Mouse” because of their mouse-like squeaks. They are also sometimes referred to as “painted ducks” because of their attractive colors.

23. Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Mergansers spend winter in British Columbia and appear in 7% of checklists at this time. You can spot them mainly in the south from September to May.

Breeding Male Red-breasted Mergansers are certainly noticeable ducks. Their black, glossy green, ragged, and spiky crests, dark red eyes, and long, serrated orange bills certainly make them stand out among other ducks. They also have a white neck collar, mottled reddish-brown breast, black and white back, and gray flanks. 

Females and non-breeding males have reddish-brown spiky crests, red eyes, long, red bills, white throats, and gray bodies. 

• Mergus serrator
• Length: 16 – 26 in (41 – 66 cm)
• Weight: 47.61 oz (1349 g)
• Wingspan: 31 – 35 in (79 – 89 cm)

Red-breasted Mergansers breed in Canada, except in the southwest, before migrating to the coasts of the US and Canada. They can be spotted during migration in southwestern Canada and all US states.

You can find Red-breasted Mergansers in tundra ponds, freshwater lakes and rivers, and brackish and saltwater wetlands, usually near the coast during the breeding season. In winter, they may also be found in the ocean.

Red-breasted mergansers normally dive when foraging for food and will pursue their prey underwater until they catch them. They will occasionally cooperate with other groups and herd schools of fish into shallow waters to make them easier to catch. Aside from fish, they also eat crustaceans, insects, and amphibians.

Red-breasted Merganser call: They are quiet birds, but they make calls during courtship or when alarmed.

Male Red-breasted Merganser

Female Red-breasted Merganser

Nests of Red-breasted Mergansers are often found on the ground, in a shallow depression, near the water. Females usually line them with plants and down feathers. Females lay five to sixteen eggs but may lay them in other females’ nests. The incubation period may run from twenty-nine to thirty-five days and is mostly done by the female. 

Fun Fact: Red-breasted Mergansers don’t acquire their breeding feathers until they are two years old.

24. White-winged Scoter

White-winged Scoters are found all year in British Columbia. They appear in 1% of summer and 3% of winter checklists.

White-winged Scoters are the largest of the North American Scoters. They’re easily distinguishable from the other three because of their white wing patch since the other two Scoters have totally black wings. 

Male White-winged Scoters also have the distinct white, reverse comma marking around the eye, earning them the nickname “Viking Horn.” Their orange-tipped bill is short and less bulbous than other Scoters, but it does have a large, dark knob at its base. Their bodies are mostly black. 

Female and Juvenile White-winged Scoters are similar. They are both dark brown with white patches in front and behind their eyes. They have dark gray bills with a smaller knob at the base. 

• Melanitta deglandi
• Weight: 62.4 oz (1768 g)
• Wingspan: 33 – 41 in (84 – 104 cm)

White-winged Scoters breed in western Canada and Alaska before migrating for winter to the US and Canadian coasts.

You can find White-winged Scoters in northern forests near freshwater lakes and wetlands during their breeding season. During the winter, they prefer the open ocean and coastal environments, particularly bays and inlets. 

White-winged Scoters are experts in diving deep underwater, capable of holding their breath while wrestling with shellfish from underwater rocks.

They usually forage in large flocks and prefer to forage from the bottom, but they will also take prey from the surface of the water. In freshwater habitats, they feed on mollusks, crustaceans, small fish, and aquatic insects.

White-winged Scoter call:

Nests of White-winged Scoters are shallow depressions on the ground, mostly concealed under a thick bush or a crevice and close to the water. They are built with plant material and lined with down.

The female lays eight to ten eggs and incubates them for twenty-five days to a month. The young leave the nest after hatching and can already feed themselves. The female takes care of them for about three more weeks. 

Fun Fact: Female White-winged Scoters return to the nesting area where they were hatched. This behavior is called “Natal Philopatry.”

25. Black Scoter

Black Scoters are near-threatened species in British Columbia, but they can be spotted mainly along the coast of the province during winter, from October to April.

The Black Scoter is also called American Scoter. Male Black Scoters are aptly named because their whole bodies are velvety black, with the exception of a bright yellow patch at the base of their bills.

Female Black Scoters aren’t black at all. They are brownish overall, with the lower half of their head paler than the rest of the body. Their cap is dark brown, and their bill is black.

Juveniles are a combination of both males and females. Their coloring and dark cap are like the females, but they also have the yellow knob at the base of their bill like the males. 

• Melanitta americana
• Length : 17 – 21 in (43 – 53 cm)
• Weight : 387.4 oz (1088 g)
• Wingspan : 30 – 35 in (76 – 89 cm)

Black Scoters breed in Canada and Alaska before migrating to coastal areas of the United States.

You can find Black Scoters primarily in saltwater, particularly along rocky coastlines, during winter, or when migrating. They usually form large winter flocks with other scoter species. During the nesting period, they move to more sheltered habitats like ponds and small lakes with vegetation on the edges. 

Black Scoters dive for shellfish and mollusks in oceans and bay coasts. They may occasionally eat crabs and shrimp, and other marine vegetation on top of shellfish and mollusks. When they’re in freshwater, they eat a lot of insects and their larvae, fish eggs, and other vegetation. 

Black Scoter calls: They are noisy birds that are easily identified in winter with the males’ descending whistle.

Nests of Black Scoters are usually hidden in a rock crevice or on the ground sheltered by grass clumps.  They are usually within a hundred feet of the water. The female makes a depression on the ground or on grass and lines it with her own feathers.

She will lay around eight to nine eggs and incubates them for about twenty-eight days. She will tend to them for about three weeks, after which they have to fend for themselves. 

Fun Fact: Tens of thousands of Black Scoters migrate south together, creating a fantastic spectacle.

26. Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Ducks are vulnerable species in British Columbia that are mainly spotted during winter, from October to mid-May. They appear in 2% of winter checklists.

The Long-tailed Duck is a small diving duck that has rather obvious slender, long and black tail feathers, hence the name. What’s interesting about the Long-Tailed Duck is that its coloring reverses between breeding (summer) and non-breeding (winter) seasons. 

Adult non-breeding males have white crowns, foreheads, necks, backs, sides, and bellies. They have a gray mask and a dark cheek patch, a pink band across their black bill, and black breasts and wings with white shoulder blades. Their tails are long and black. 

Their coloring reverses during the breeding season or in summer. Everything that was white is now dark-colored. Their crown, foreheads, necks, backs, sides, and bellies are now dark. Their cheek patch is now white, and the band on their dark bill is now gray. 

Adult non-breeding females have dark crowns, white heads with a dark patch on the cheek, and gray bills. They have white necks and bellies. They have brown throats, backs, wings, and a relatively shorter tail. Like the males, their coloring reverses during the breeding season. They become browner overall but with a white patch around the eye and neck. 

Juveniles resemble adult non-breeding females, particularly in coloring and with a shorter tail. But they have a darker patch on the cheek and a yellow-orange band on the gray bill like the adult males. 

• Clangula hyemalis
• Length : 15 – 22 in (38 – 56 cm)
• Weight : 31.74 oz (900 g)
• Wingspan : 26 – 31 in (66 – 79 cm)

Long-tailed Ducks breed in the far north of Canada and Alaska and across northern Europe and northern Asia. In winter, they migrate south to the US, and those in Europe and Asia move south in these regions.

You can find Long-Tailed Ducks in many coastal water habitats. They are often in bays, harbors, fjords, estuaries, straits, and mudflats. During the breeding season, you can find them along ocean coasts and large freshwater lakes. They are known to join large flocks in areas with extensive sea ice. 

Long-tailed Ducks usually dive for mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish in the oceans during winter. They are known to dive as deep as 200 feet to reach zooplankton that is usually at the bottom of water columns. They use their wings to propel them through the water. On the tundra, during summer, they mostly eat insects, fish eggs, and plants. 

Long-tailed Duck calls:

Male Long-tailed Duck

Female Long-tailed Duck

Nests of Long-tailed Ducks are usually shallow depressions on the ground made by females. They are grouped together in small, tight clusters with other females’ nests. The first egg is covered with a layer of grasses, and with the addition of a second egg, the females add their own down to the nest.

Females can lay anywhere from six to nine eggs. They alone incubate the eggs for up to twenty-nine days. Males leave for their post-breeding molting site. The young are able to feed when they hatch. 

Fun Fact:  The Long-tailed Duck used to be known as “oldsquaw.”

How To Identify Ducks

There are a few identifying features to help you identify ducks more quickly as they are often at a distance or in flight.

Some ducks have distinctive beaks, such as shovelers, canvasbacks, and mergansers. So get to know these ducks first to narrow down or discount the species.

White Patches

Ducks are often only seen from a distance and may be mixed with other species, and the lighting conditions may not be great. So how do you learn to recognize one of these many species?

The best way to identify ducks, especially when they are at a distance, is to get to know ‘where is the white.’ The white patches on ducks stand out and help you to identify which duck you have spotted more quickly.

Some ducks have distinctive calls and not just your general ‘quack’, so get to know some calls by listening to the calls in each of the summaries below.

Heads and Tails

Some ducks have crests or unusual head shapes, such as wood ducks or mergansers, so get to know these.

Not all ducks have short tails, some have long or curled tails, such as pintails, long-tailed ducks, and ruddy ducks.

Ducks By Season

Checklists for the state are a great resource to find out which birds are commonly spotted. These lists show which ducks are most commonly recorded on checklists for British Columbia on ebird in summer and winter.

Ducks in British Columbia in Summer:

Mallard 27.8% Wood Duck 7.0% Gadwall 6.7% Common Merganser 6.1% American Wigeon 5.4% Bufflehead 5.3% Northern Shoveler 4.9% Green-winged Teal 4.7% Blue-winged Teal 4.3% Ring-necked Duck 4.3% Cinnamon Teal 4.0% Ruddy Duck 3.2% Lesser Scaup 3.1% Barrow’s Goldeneye 3.1% Hooded Merganser 2.9% Redhead 2.4% Surf Scoter 2.3% Northern Pintail 1.8% Common Goldeneye 1.7% Harlequin Duck 1.6% White-winged Scoter 1.0% Red-breasted Merganser 0.6% Canvasback 0.5% Long-tailed Duck 0.2% Eurasian Wigeon 0.1% Black Scoter 0.1%

Ducks in British Columbia in Winter:

Mallard 36.3% Bufflehead 27.7% American Wigeon 19.4% Common Merganser 16.7% Common Goldeneye 16.2% Hooded Merganser 12.6% Green-winged Teal 10.5% Surf Scoter 8.9% Ring-necked Duck 8.1% Red-breasted Merganser 7.9% Northern Pintail 7.7% Barrow’s Goldeneye 6.8% Gadwall 6.3% Lesser Scaup 5.5% Harlequin Duck 5.1% Northern Shoveler 4.7% Wood Duck 4.0% White-winged Scoter 3.0% Eurasian Wigeon 2.8% Long-tailed Duck 2.3% Canvasback 1.3% Black Scoter 1.1% Ruddy Duck 1.1% Redhead 0.9% Cinnamon Teal <0.1% Blue-winged Teal <0.1%

Related Articles:

20 Largest Birds In British Columbia (By Weight, Length, Wingspan)

17 White Birds In British Columbia (ID, Photo, Call Guide)

9 Types Of Crows And Jays In British Columbia (And Their Calls)

All The Birds Of Prey In British Columbia And Their Calls

All The Falcons In British Columbia And Their Calls (ID, Photos, When To Spot)

All The Kites In British Columbia And Their Calls (ID, Photos, When To Spot)

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Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

25 of the Best Vancouver Tours

July 18, 2023 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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If you’re looking to find the best Vancouver tours, you’ve come to the right place.

Welcome to the picturesque city of Vancouver, British Columbia , where breathtaking natural beauty meets vibrant urban culture. Nestled between the stunning Coastal Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this Canadian gem is a playground for adventure enthusiasts, foodies, and culture aficionados alike. With its mild climate, lush greenery, and a lively blend of multicultural influences, Vancouver offers a plethora of experiences that will leave you awe-inspired. From exploring the diverse neighbourhoods and indulging in mouthwatering culinary delights to embarking on outdoor escapades in the surrounding wilderness, there are lots of fun things to do in Vancouver .

So whether you’re looking to join a walking tour, soar high in a helicopter, admire whales, or so much more, this is your guide to the best Vancouver tours.

Vancouver Tours Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, which means when you make a purchase, we get a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use and help keep these travel guides free. It’s a win-win! For more information, visit our  privacy policy.

Our Top 3 Picks: Vancouver Tours

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Whale-Watching From Granville Island ✔️ Indoor, heated cabin ✔️ Lifetime Whale-Sighting Guarantee ✔️ Two Washrooms

Vancouver Seaplane Tour ✔️ Unique and Exciting ✔️ 20-Minute Flight ✔️ Incredible views

Vancouver + Capilano Suspension Bridge ✔️ See Top Attractions ✔️ Visit Capilano ✔️ Transportation included

1. Half-Day Whale Watching Vancouver from Granville Island

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (2,249 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Embark on a whale of an adventure in the magnificent waters of Vancouver, British Columbia! Vancouver is renowned for its thriving whale population, attracting visitors from around the globe. From orcas to gray whales, these incredible creatures put on a show like no other. This whale-watching adventure from downtown Vancouver gives you the chance to see whales and other marine life. Hop aboard an 80-foot flagship catamaran, and keep your eyes peeled from one of several viewing areas while soaking up views of the Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, and Howe Sound. This tour departs from Granville Island, making it super convenient for anyone visiting the city. In addition to this tour, this company also offers a Sunset Whale Watching Adventure from Vancouver , which is also one of the best Vancouver tours!

A most wonderful experience. Knowledgeable crew. Humpback whales and Orcas. An emotional trip and one that will never be forgotten. -Alun ( see more reviews )

This 5-hour Vancouver whale-watching tour includes:

• 95-passenger vessel featuring an indoor, heated cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air decks
• Captain and expert crew of 3-4 guides/naturalists
• Educational materials on board
• Complementary tea, coffee & hot chocolate
• Two washrooms
• Lifetime Whale Sightings Guarantee – return tour from any of our locations until you see whales!
• Free photo package of your trip & wildlife, with personal photos of you and your loved ones

Click Here to See Reviews, Pricing, and Availability.

2. Whale-Watching Tour from Vancouver (Steveston)

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (1,167 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 3-5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

As mentioned above, the waters off the coast of Vancouver are renowned for whale-watching, offering an up to 90% success rate with sightings. However, unlike the tour above, this one leaves from Steveston, a popular seaside community not far from Vancouver. Since they’re closer to the action, you often spend less time in the boat. Join a professional naturalist on this half-day Vancouver whale-watching cruise as you scout for an incredible array of creatures such as orcas, seals, porpoises, and eagles, in addition to the spectacular scenery of the Gulf and San Juan Islands. Your whale-watching trip from Vancouver includes round-trip transport from your hotel, plus bottled water and snacks.

It was an amazing and humbling experience seeing Orcas playing, beaching fully out of the water. A truly breathtaking moment in life. Sebastian was a great host and knowledgeable guide. -Susan ( see more reviews )

This whale-watching tour includes:

• Shuttle pickup and drop off (if option selected)
• Restroom on board

3. Vancouver Seaplane Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (578+ reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  20 Minutes | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If Vancouver is beautiful from the ground, imagine how it looks from the sky! Soar above the scenic city of Vancouver on this 20-minute, small-group Vancouver seaplane flight . Enjoy a bird’s eye view of its picturesque harbour and nearby mountain peaks, while taking part in one of the most unique Vancouver tours. You can also double your time with their extended seaplane flight !

We were looking forward to this flight and it did not disappoint fantastic flight. I was able to sit beside the pilot making the flight more special. great views over the Harbour and over Vancouver. The take off and landing were fantastically smooth and it was great to be amongst the thronging harbour traffic. -Peter ( see more reviews )

This 30-minute Vancouver seaplane tour includes:

• 20-minute seaplane flight
• Carbon offset levy
• GST (Goods and Services Tax)

4. Sea Vancouver City & Harbour Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (419 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Surrounded by water, Vancouver is a great city to see by boat. Admire Vancouver’s dramatic skyline from the water on this small-group cruise in an inflatable Zodiac boat that accommodates 12 passengers. You’ll navigate Vancouver Harbour, Burrard Inlet, English Bay, and False Creek, spotting some of the city’s top sites and landmarks as you hit speeds of up to 30 mph (48 kph). Plus, you may even spot some beautiful animals, such as bald eagles, harbour seals, and dolphins.

It’s an amazing experience you should try this when your visited vancouver! We saw animal on wildlife and the guide is so friendly and we notice knowledge about the history -Yaneth ( see more reviews )

This boat tour of Vancouver includes:

• Local guide
• All necessary equipment

5. Granite Falls Zodiac Boat Tours Vancouver

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (349 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Experience Vancouver sights by water on this three-hour zodiac boat tour from Granville Island, bringing you out to capture the beauty of Granite Falls and Silver Falls while learning about the local history and geology of the area. Your trip will start off by crossing False Creek and admiring Siwash Rock, an iconic stone spire located near the Lion’s Gate Bridge. In Vancouver Harbour, you’ll learn about the waterfront landmarks before venturing into Deep Cove and the glacial fjord of the Indian Arm, which offers incredible views of granite cliffs that can only be seen by boat.

Wonderful experience start to finish. Mac was our guide – knowledgeable & friendly. A great way to experience a beautiful part of the world. As we traveled away from civilization, the scenery was majestic. Waterfalls, wildlife & beautiful mountains. A great way to see & learn about Vancouver and the surrounding area. One of the best tours we have ever taken. A highlight for us! -Elizabeth ( see more reviews )

This fantastic boat tour from Vancouver includes:

• Driver/guide
• Survival suit

6. Vancouver City Tour Including Capilano Suspension Bridge

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (933 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 5-6 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Join your knowledgeable guide and spend half a day touring Vancouver’s natural and urban highlights on this 5-6 hour sightseeing bus tour. As you’re escorted to key attractions such as Canada Place, Robson Street, Stanley Park, and the Lions Gate Bridge, you’ll listen to interesting commentary and learn about the city. You’ll also visit Capilano Suspension Bridge for an exhilarating walk along the cliff-hanging footpaths. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Tour guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable. The sites we visited and included in the tour are must sees in Vancouver. Time flew at each of our stops: Granville park, the Capilano suspension bridge and we even got to see the totem poles. Loved all of it. -Gillian ( see more reviews )

This Vancouver tour includes:

• Local driver/guide
• Transport by comfortable coach
• Hotel pickup and drop-off at most hotels in downtown Vancouver

7. Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour: Granville Island & Stanley Park

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (1,065 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re short on time but want to see as much as you can, this 3.5-hour tour takes you to some of Vancouver’s highlights , including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Chinatown, and Gastown. As you’re escorted around the city, you’ll stop to see totem poles, wander through food stalls and craft galleries, and get great city views from lookouts like Prospect Point. As you ride, listen to fascinating stories about the city, from the First Nation’s People to contemporary culture.

The tour was wonderful. Greg, our guide was so informative through the whole tour. We not only saw interesting sights, but heard about the history of the areas. Going Solo, I did not know what to expect! I would recommend this tour for anyone! -Joyce ( see more reviews )

This tour of Vancouver includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off (Please call to arrange)
• Professional guide
• Local taxes

8. Vancouver Highlights Bike Tour – The Grand Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (1,043 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Few Canadian cities compare to Vancouver when it comes to being bike-friendly, which is why this 5-hour small-group bike tour is the perfect way to see some of Vancouver’s top sights, including Stanley Park, Gastown, and Chinatown. Great for riders of all levels, join your guide for of Vancouver’s most top-rated tours.

Guides were fantastic, informative and safety-conscious. Great way to get a “lay of the land”, recommend taking this tour early in your visit and you can return to locations that pique your interests. -Mark ( see more reviews )

This top-rated Vancouver biking tour includes:

• Use of bike, helmet and lock

9. Stanley Park Bike Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (284 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Stanley Park is our favourite place to visit when we travel to Vancouver, so that’s why we can totally recommend taking this top-rated biking tour of Stanley Park . Discover one of Vancouver’s natural wonders by bike on a morning or afternoon tour, enjoying a guided tour of this 1,000-acre (405-hectare) oasis in downtown Vancouver. Cruise by Third Beach, view First Nations totem poles in Brockton Point, and catch great views of the city skyline, mountains, and local wildlife. You’ll also learn about Vancouver’s rich history as a logging centre and the park’s complex ecosystem.

This bike tour was the best we’ve ever experienced. Harley was our tour guide for our family of 8 and he took amazing care of us whilst being very knowledgeable and informative about the beautiful city of Vancouver. It was great to see the city this way. Highly recommend. -Christopher ( see more reviews )

This Stanley Park biking tour includes:

10. Epic Electric Bike Tour of Vancouver

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (351 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 4 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Since we’re still on the topic of biking tours in Vancouver, this one is particularly electrifying! Okay, we’ll spare you the Grease song and tell you about this 5-star rated E-biking tour of Vancouver , allowing you to experience the city at a pace you can’t access by car. Ride along Vancouver’s separated bike trails with a small group of no more than eight riders while learning much about the city’s history and personality along the way. From Stanley Park Seawall to popular neighbourhoods, your electric bike makes your ride a breeze no matter your fitness level.

If you want to see Vancouver, this electric bike tour is a must. The bikes are state of the art, and the guides give an excellent overview of the history and the personality of each stop along the tour. -Robert ( see more reviews )

This electric bike tour of Vancouver includes:

• E-Bike Tour
• Use of bicycle and helmet
• All taxes, fees and handling charges

11. Vancouver Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (467 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re looking for date ideas in Vancouver , this is definitely one of the top Vancouver tours. Take a leisurely dinner cruise along the city’s gorgeous waterfront as you listen to live music and savour delicious Pacific Coast-style cuisine. Stroll the deck at sunset, indulge in a freshly prepared buffet, and take in the beautiful sights including Canada Place, the North Shore Mountains and the West Vancouver skyline after dusk.

Very nice time. Great views of the harbour. Good food (not drinks were extra, one could have been included with dinner). Staff was attentive and professional. Entertainment was fine. The star was a spectacular evening in the harbour! -Robert ( see more reviews )

This sunset dinner cruise includes:

• Scenic cruise

12. Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (710 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Explore Vancouver’s Oldest Neighbourhood while crunching down on delicious food. Rich in history, high in energy, and home to an impressive culinary scene, Gastown is one of the coolest places to visit in Vancouver. You get a taste for it all on this 2.5-hour 5-star rated walking food tour , where you’ll taste delights such as local craft beer, Japanese Karage chicken, freshly made Sicilian Tortellini with local wine, vegan sweet & chili cauliflower, traditional Canadian poutine, organic soft ice cream, decadent waffles and award-winning cheesecake. But that’s not it, you will be led by a talented and amazing storytelling tour guide who will share fascinating and funny little-known stories about Vancouver and its “Wild West” history that dates back 150 years.

Our guide, Diego was fantastic. He was personable, funny, and very knowledgeable about the history of Vancouver. The food tastings were excellent. With this tour, you not only get a walking tour of Gastown, but you eat and drink along the way. -John ( see more reviews )

This Vancouver food tour includes:

• 6 Food tasting & 3 alcoholic tastings (non-alcoholic options available) Tastings may vary
• Professional tour guide

13. A Wok Around Chinatown: Culinary and Cultural Walking Tour Vancouver by a Chef

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (298 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 4 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re looking to combine a food tour with Vancouver’s Chinatown, this is the one for you. Spend a morning in Vancouver’s Chinatown with an off-duty chef on this top-rated food and cultural walking tour . With the help of your expert, taste delicious barbecued crispy duck and other savoury delights, as you learn about Chinatown’s historical landmarks and local cuisine. Drink tea, enter cookware and herbal medicine shops, and visit the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. A dim sum lunch is included in this small-group tour limited to 10 people.

Bob’s passion and openness to explain Chinese culture and food. Loved going to local businesses and learning about traditional medicine, religious ceremonies and tea. Dim Sum lunch was a wonderful opportunity to meet other people on the tour. -Leslie ( see more reviews )

This walking Vancouver food tour includes:

• Walking tour that includes food samplings, tea, and dim sum lunch

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

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (118 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’ve already explored the city, it’s time to jump into the sea for a different view of Vancouver. Kayak in Howe Sound and snorkel with Vancouver’s resident harbour seals during this half-day eco-adventure . After boarding a boat from beautiful Horseshoe Bay with your adventure guide, you’ll head toward the Pam Rocks seal colony where you’ll slip into the provided snorkel gear and wetsuit to then snorkel with seals! You’ll also get to kayak around the bay and the rocks, experiencing the marine environment from a low-profile boat. There’s also a sightseeing-only option for those passengers who want to stay dry.

Lovely captain and tour guides. The first site was great to see lots of seals on the rocks. The second site was even better as the seals came right up close. I would definitely recommend snorkelling for a close up experience. The wetsuits keep you warm enough, but the seals distract from the cold anyway. Great trip! -Kai ( see more reviews )

This fun Vancouver tour includes:

• Light refreshments and snacks
• All snorkel equipment including wet suits
• Professional and friendly staff to guide guests in the water

15. Grouse Mountain & Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (405 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 5.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Ride in comfort and enjoy round-trip transportation from most Vancouver hotels as you visit two of Vancouver’s most popular attractions , which are included in this tour. Cross the legendary Capilano Suspension Bridge, walk through a rainforest canopy with Treetops Adventure, and experience a beautiful walk above the canyon with Cliffwalk. Then get even more jaw-dropping views from the top of a mountain as you ride the Grouse Mountain Skyride, the largest aerial tramway in North America. The tour also includes a stop at the Capilano River Hatchery, an interpretive centre where you can learn about and see fish develop from eggs to the juvenile stage when they are released to the river in spring. Depending on the season, you may even see juvenile salmon and trout in the display aquaria or mature returning salmon in the fish ladder.

Greg was an amazing tour guide who had a lot of valuable knowledge of each location we visited. Being able to see these areas and having the time without feeling rushed was refreshing. -James ( see more reviews )

This tour of Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at most hotels in downtown Vancouver.

16. Vancouver Lost Souls of Gastown Walking Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (792 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

While Gastown is one of the most popular neighbourhoods to explore in Vancouver, most people neglect the dark side of its past. Wait until the sun sets and get a glimpse into Vancouver’s rough and rowdy past on a walking tour of this historic area . Hear haunting tales of the city’s darkest days, when fires, smallpox and gold dust fever swept through the frontier outpost. Visit the neighbourhood’s landmarks and historic sites as your guide evokes the thieves, hustlers and vagabonds that made the West so wild. This is one of those Vancouver tours you won’t forget.

I have done a lot of ghost tours as I have traveled throughout the United States and internationally. Although this tour did not contain haunted places, Janet was by far the best storyteller that I have experienced. We traveled all throughout Gastown hearing an entertaining story, told in first person. While Janet consistently maintained character, we heard the history if Gastown from a young lady’s point of view -Daniele ( see more reviews )

This night tour of Vancouver includes:

17. Whistler and Sea to Sky Gondola Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (320 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Just like Vancouver, Whistler is one of the most famous destinations in British Columbia. It’s also close to Vancouver, so if you want to see it one day, this full-day tour takes you to Whistler and includes a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola . Admire British Columbia’s fjords, inlets, and mountains as your guide provides commentary on the drive, in addition to photo stops and free time in Whistler Village.

Great overall trip, fabulous views from the gondola and the suspension bridge, which was an unexpected addition! Well organized, comfortable coach, great narration from Martin too. All in all, a highly recommended tour, well done! -Wendy ( see more reviews )

This tour from Vancouver to Whistler includes:

• Live commentary on board

18. Seaplane Tour with Admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (75 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 4-9 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re looking to cross two of the ultimate Vancouver tours off of your bucket list, this tour is for you. Combine a 20-minute seaplane tour over the city with a visit to the legendary Capilano Suspension Bridge! Save on the price of each by booking a package that includes transportation.

Was a good value for both tours together. The seaplane was our first time and it was amazing – very smooth landing. We loved the Capilano Park too. Wish we had more time to spend there. -Becky ( see more reviews )

This unique tour of Vancouver includes:

• Taxes and fees
• Ground transportation transfers

19. Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Bus Tour

⭐️  RATING:  3.5 out of 5 Stars (1,178 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

We don’t like to recommend tours that don’t achieve a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars but since a lot of people enjoy Hop-on-Hop-off bus tours, this is the only one in Vancouver. Customize your sightseeing tour of Vancouver with multiple pass options for a hop-on hop-off tour aboard a clear-top bus. Let someone else drive you around town as you choose where you want to get off. This tour includes many popular attractions such as Chinatown, Stanley Park, and Gastown.

Granville island was awesome. But all the stops we saw were magnificent and educational. The Vancouver sightseeing was lovely although we did not make it to the Capilano suspension bridge. We will be more prepared next time giving ourselves more time for visiting Vancouver BC. -Bounama ( see more reviews )

This Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Bus tour includes:

• Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour
• Audio commentary

20. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Ticket

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (1,043 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 2-3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

While not one of the guided Vancouver tours, you really don’t need one at Capilano Suspension Bridge, which is home to one of British Columbia’s most popular attractions. Surrounded by temperate rain forest, you’re admission includes crossing the 70-metre-high bridge , climbing through old-growth fir trees on the Treetops Adventure, and admiring the beautiful canyon along a towering wall of granite on the new Cliffwalk. There’s also a free shuttle between downtown Vancouver and Capilano Suspension Bridge

Great place to bring elderly parents. Very shady, mostly flat paths. Suspension bridge was challenging for them but overall stable to cross. My 82 year old father and 76 year old mother crossed the suspension bridge and did very well! Lots of shady paths and certain places to sit. We stayed for the raptor presentation and loved it. Highly recommend. Gets crowded, so go early! -Kimberly ( see more reviews )

Admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park includes:

• Interactive Living Forest exhibit
• Kia’palano – local First Nations totem pole and cultural area Story Centre
• historical park introduction
• Treetops Adventure – 7 suspended bridges canopy walk
• Cliffwalk – Cantilevered suspended narrow walkway attached to cliff side
• Kids Educational Activity – Become a Rainforest Explorer

21. Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Flight

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (134 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 35 Minutes | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you think Vancouver and Victoria are beautiful from the ground, imagine what they look like from the sky. Travel efficiently and in style on this 35-minute seaplane tour that takes you from Vancouver to Victoria . Hop aboard your seaplane in Coal Harbour and take to the skies with your pilot, watching as the Burrard Inlet becomes a speck in the distance. Admire fine views over Lion’s Gate Bridge and Stanley Park before soaring over the Salish Sea to beautiful Victoria where you’ll land right in Victoria’s inner harbour.

Beautiful scenery on the flight. Smooth water take-off and landing. Friendly staff and flight crew with willingness to explain everything. -James ( see more reviews )

This Vancouver seaplane tour to Victoria includes:

• One-way flight

22. Victoria and Butchart Gardens Day Trip from Vancouver

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (1,732 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 13 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Experience Victoria’s famous beauty on this full-day tour from Vancouver . Traveling by coach and ferry, you’ll get to witness the region’s stunning waterways and mountains before landing in British Columbia’s capital city. Spend the day snapping photos and visiting the city’s top attractions like the world-famous Butchart Gardens, a 55-acre (22-hectare) haven for nature enthusiasts. This tour combines guided coach tours and free time to explore on your own.

The tour was very memorable and our tour guide Brendan was exceptional. He made the trip really fun. The ferry ride to Victoria was so beautiful and we enjoyed our walkabout there. The Butchart gardens is a sight to behold. -Damian ( see more reviews )

This tour from Vancouver to Victoria includes:

• Professional driver/guide
• Admission for the ferry
• Admission to Butchart Gardens

23. Seaplane Flight to Victoria with Ground Transport and Butchart Gardens Admission

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars (108 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 1 Day | 🚀  BOOK NOW

If you’re looking for Vancouver tours that offer a memorable, quick, and stylish way to visit Victoria and the Butchart Gardens for the day, book this quick-and-easy round-trip seaplane flight package from Vancouver to Victoria . Fly over the Georgia Strait and the Gulf Islands, landing in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. Enjoy free time in Victoria before returning on an afternoon or evening flight back to downtown Vancouver. Shuttle bus and admission fee to the Butchart Gardens included.

Fabulous experience from start to finish. Loved the seaplane experience and the visit to the gardens ending up with an ice cream in town before the flight back to Vancouver. -Robert ( see more reviews )

This Seaplane tour from Vancouver to Victoria includes:

24. Seaplane Flight to Victoria and Whale-Watching Cruise

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (98 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 10 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Take a magical 35-minute seaplane flight to Victoria and enjoy a world-class whale-watching experience on this incredible tour from Vancouver to Victoria . Admire the stunning aerial views as you cross the Strait of Georgia by seaplane, which is also the most eco-friendly transport to Victoria, before jumping on an exciting cruise through Haro Strait to witness orcas (killer whales), sea lions and seals. Afterwards, board the seaplane once again and go back to Vancouver.

The whole trip was incredible. Stunning flights and seeing many humpbacks and orcas, including several jumping out of the water was witnessing nature at its very best. Brilliant and knowledgeable crew on the boat made it all the more special! -Chris ( see more reviews )

• Roundtrip scenic seaplane flight from Vancouver to Victoria
• Whale-watching cruise

25. Grouse Mountain Admission

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars (276 reviews) | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH: 2-3 Hours | 🚀  BOOK NOW

Last but not least, make your way to one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions for a self-guided tour of Grouse Mountain , a cultural and outdoor park that’s perfect for the whole family. In summer, see wildlife like bears and owls, enjoy outdoor shows like our Lumberjack show and Birds in Motion, and enjoy fabulous views of the forest and Vancouver. In winter, enjoy adventures including the stunning Light Walk, Sliding Zone, and outdoor skating pond, or give snowshoeing a try on an array of trails. Skates, sleds and snowshoes are available for rent (at additional cost).

Gondola ride was awesome and the views from the chair lift at the top were amazing. The kids really enjoyed seeing the Grizzly Bears and lumberjacks. -Ravi ( see more reviews )

Admission to Grouse Mountain includes:

• Round-trip Skyride
• And other experiences. Visit grousemountain.com for details.

Vancouver Tour Packages

As you can see, there are lots of different options when it comes to Vancouver tours. Whether you’re looking to try the food, fly in a seaplane, or search for whales, there’s a Vancouver tour for everyone. If you’re looking for even more things to do, check out these Canadian travel guides below:

• Free things to do in Vancouver
• Vancouver in the Winter
• Vancouver Facts
• Things to Do in Victoria

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

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15 Best Vancouver Sightseeing Tours & City Excursions

Taking the best Vancouver city tours is the best way to learn, understand, and live the city.

Getting immersive, entertaining city information on Vancouver excursions also saves time – and increases the value of each second spent in the city.

Let’s break down the top sightseeing tours in Vancouver to see if we can find the right one for you.

⚠️ Warning ⚠️ – Especially during high season, tickets to the best Vancouver tours sell out quickly. Guarantee your tickets by booking in the Vancouver sightseeing shop at Viator . It also helps us get one step closer to doing Vancouver Planner for a living ?

Best Vancouver Sightseeing Tours & Excursions in 2024

The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour – Best Vancouver City Tour for History

Location:  Gastown | Length: 1.5 hours | Cost:  From $37.80 CAD

Gastown is the most historic neighbourhood in Vancouver, hands down.

Its cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways hint at a feisty frontier town, not a cosmopolitan city of millions. The first building there was actually a pub built by loggers who were paid in whiskey.

Loggers, whiskey, you see where I’m going with this – this is the top of our best walking tours of Vancouver .

Throw in the Great Vancouver Fire, some smallpox outbreaks, and tales of revenge and redemption , and we’ve got the makings of a delightfully macabre Vancouver walking tour .

I like this one for groups seeking city tours as it’s arguably the most social Vancouver tour , and it offers lots of hidden gems.

The Stanley Park Bike Tour – Top Stanley Park Tour

Location: Stanley Park | Length:  3 hours | Cost:  From $103.50 CAD

Stanley Park is one of the most fabulous urban parks in the world, and it stands out because it’s not the byproduct of any fancy landscaping. It’s exactly as nature left it – with about half a million trees .

The park has the Vancouver Aquarium , is home to breathtaking First Nations totem poles , and counts some amazing panoramic city views along the Stanley Park Seawall .

This is one of the best bike tours of Vancouver , and you’ll weave through old-growth forest trails ,  learn all about local flora and fauna, and learn the Coastal First Nations history of life before the settlers came.

Wanting to leave the bike aside? Check out our top Stanley Park tours for other methods.

Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour with Stanley Park & Granville Island – Top City Tour for Tourists

Meeting Point: Georgian Court Hotel | Length:  3.5 hours | Cost:  From $78.75 CAD

Here’s a tourist tour for people wanting to check off major sights with the least amount of hassle possible .

The epic food market and artisan stronghold at Granville Island is tough to get to, so sitting back and letting them take you to the action is the highlight of this trip.

The fact it also includes all the highlights of Stanley Park makes this a great one-two punch.

Along the way, you’ll get all the info from First Nations to contemporary culture through a knowledgeable guide – and they even take you to Gastown and Chinatown as well.

Talking Trees Tour – Best Vancouver Walking Tour

Location:  Stanley Park |  Length:  1.5 hours |  Cost:  From $75.00 CAD

This captivating interpretive walking tour in Stanley Park is an ideal way to learn about the history and culture of the First Nations peoples.

This is the real Vancouver local tour.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable cultural ambassador , the tour offers a unique firsthand perspective on how Aboriginal people have preserved and nurtured these lands, forests, and oceans for generations.

As you explore the natural beauty of Stanley Park, you’ll gain valuable insights into the rich heritage of the local First Nations , with the goal of deepening your understanding of their customs.

Vancouver Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour – Best City Tour for Cruisers

Location: Downtown | Length:  2.5 hours | Cost:  From $65.00 CAD

I always recommend Vancouver hop-on hop-off bus tours for anybody on day one of a Vancouver itinerary or for cruisers arriving at the Vancouver cruise terminal .

Since it includes all the major photo landmarks , it’ll look like you were here for weeks! 🙂

Once you’re picked up, you’ll be taken to prime downtown locations like Canada Place, Stanley Park, and Robson Street . It’ll also follow some of Vancouver’s best beaches along English Bay before dropping you off at Queen Elizabeth Park .

The tour in Vancouver finishes up in Chinatown and Gastown (with a stop at the Gastown Steam Clock).

Prince of Whales – Best Vancouver Day Tour on the Water

Location:  Granville Island | Length: 5 hours | Cost:  From $235.99 CAD

This is one of the top Vancouver nature tours, whether you’re grabbing their half-day tours or their full-on  day trips from Vancouver that’ll take you all the way to Victoria .

What I love about their half-day whale-watching tour is that it departs right from Granville Island aboard the Salish Sea Freedom – the biggest, fastest ship in the fleet that’ll have you on whale grounds in a hurry.

The chance to see orcas and humpback whales in the wild on the top Vancouver whale watching tours is true bucket list stuff.

There’s a 90%+ sighting rate, and if they don’t deliver, you’re allowed to come back another day.

Small Group Grouse Mountain & Capilano Bridge Tour – Best Nature Tour in Vancouver

Location:  Hotel Pickup | Length:  5 hours | Cost:  From $289.99 CAD

Vancouver’s crown nature jewels are on full display with this small group (14 or fewer) family-friendly tour .

With convenient hotel pickup , you’ll be shuttled through Stanley Park and over the Lion’s Gate Bridge to North Vancouver: home of the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain .

You’ll get entry to both world-class attractions and around two hours to spend at each. Old-growth forest , epic views, grizzly bears , lumberjack shows, dining, patios, totem poles – it’s all here.

Evening Guided Bus Tour of Vancouver – Best Vancouver Night Tour

Location:  Downtown | Length:  90 minutes | Cost:  From $34.00 CAD

If you’re visiting Vancouver in summer and have limited time but want to squeeze in all the golden hour glory into one quick trip, this is the Vancouver tour for you.

The idea of this seasonal tour is to visit spots like Stanley Park (including Prospect Point), English Bay, and Queen Elizabeth Park under the amazing twilight rays, with much smaller crowds .

The tour winds up in Gastown , which is an ideal nightcap if you’re looking to explore the best bars in Vancouver .

These tours of Vancouver BC run at 19:30 daily between May 20th and October 10th. 

Epic Electric Bike Tour – Best City Tour of Vancouver on Bikes

Location:  Hornby Street | Length:  4 hours | Cost:  From $149.50 CAD

Here’s a top Vancouver tour for people who wanna cover a ton of ground that can’t be done on bus routes – or even traditional bikes, for that matter.

This small group Vancouver city tour (max 8 people) utilizes the city’s bike trails , taking you through Stanley Park and the Vancouver Seawall, + some of downtown’s top neighbourhoods.

This Vancouver city sightseeing tour is led by an entertaining and professional guide to get you up to speed on city lore.

The Grand Bike Tour – Best Sightseeing Tour of Vancouver for Exercise

Location:  Vancouver | Length:  5 hours | Cost:  From $129.00 CAD

I love this one for Vancouver visitors who just want to get after it , consuming real Vancouver culture (and calories!) over an un-rushed ride through the city’s best areas.

This is one of these all-inclusive Vancouver tours that’ll get any true traveller excited. Along the way, you’ll discover four major Vancouver can’t-miss sights , all from the seat of your bike:

• Granville Island Public Market
• Stanley Park

All will be explained by an entertaining, fact-packed tour guide who’ll weave you through old-growth forests, beachside promenades, and cultural hot spots .

Vancouver Instagram Tour – Top Photography of All Best Vancouver Day Tours

Location:  Downtown | Length:  1.5 hours | Cost: From $80.00 CAD

OK, so the name might be a bit deceiving for non-millennials and younger – but this is a legitimate sightseeing tour of Vancouver – with a photography focus .

The best part? It’ll load you up with iconic postcard-like photos with just your mobile phone.

This small group tour is run by a professional photographer. They’ll take you on seasonal and weather-specific tours to city landmarks like the Art Deco Marine Building, the Olympic Cauldron, the Vancouver Art Gallery balcony, Gastown, Chinatown, and more.

All the while, they’ll be giving great photography tips and telling compelling stories about the city.

Vancouver Seaplane Tour – Top Vancouver Sightseeing Tour for Couples

Location:  Downtown | Length: 20 minutes | Cost:  From $167.97 CAD

This small group tour of Vancouver is for those who want to not only get the best city view but for those looking for a true bucket list experience .

I mean, how many people have ever taken off in a seaplane? Departing right from Vancouver Harbour , you’ll be up in the air in 60 seconds with epic views of Grouse Mountain , the skyline, and the BC coast.

The splash landing (don’t get the wrong idea, there’s no danger) is a huge thrill . This is great for couples seeking city tours in Vancouver with a little adventure .

Vancouver Private Tour – Best Private Vancouver City Tour

Location: Vancouver | Length:  3 hours | Cost:  From $312.50 CAD

For those looking for private sightseeing tours in Vancouver, look no further than the private Vancouver Sightseeing Tour – which is the top price-value ratio private Vancouver tour in the city.

Here you’ll get picked up directly at your hotel and taken on a five-star tour of Vancouver’s top attractions with your own professional guide – you’ll learn the history , laugh at jokes, and discover some great secrets to take advantage of during your stay.

The best part? With these private Vancouver Canada city tours, once you’ve booked, they’ll put you in touch with your guide to make a customized Vancouver tour depending on your interests.

FlyOver Canada 4D Video Experience – Cheapest Tour in Vancouver

Location: Downtown | Length: 8 minutes | Cost:  From $30.45 CAD

Tell somebody it’s possible to fly across Canada in 8 minutes and wait for the look on their face – then tell them you did that at FlyOver Canada in downtown Vancouver.

This state-of-the-art flight simulation uses 4D technology to make you feel like you’re really taking a flight across Canada – whether you’re being sprayed with the mist of Niagara Falls or breathing in the scents of an Alberta flowerbed, this is a true 5 sense experience. 

This is one of the cheapest Vancouver BC city tours, and in my opinion, since it’s indoors, it is one of the best things to do in Vancouver in winter .

Victoria Highlights Tour – Top Vancouver Tour to Escape the City

Location: Vancouver & Victoria | Length: 13 hours | Cost:  From $229.00 CAD

OK, so this isn’t a Vancouver day tour, but if you’re looking for Vancouver to Victoria tours , this is the fastest way to do it – and you’ll see a National Historic Site of Canada with over a million bedding plants while you’re at it.

Butchart Gardens is an oasis of fountains , stunning sculptures, and tranquil streams kept prime by over 50 full-time gardeners . You’ll also fit in the Empress Hotel , Canada’s oldest Chinatown, Victoria’s Inner Harbour and more.

This is one of the most romantic city tours on the list – and one of the most romantic things to do in Vancouver , period.

Looking for Vancouver Sightseeing Tours?

That’s Vancouver’s top city tours wrapped. That said, maybe you’re looking for something a little different.

Don’t be afraid to write me in the comments below – we answer every question here about Vancouver city highlights tours or anything else Vancouver-related! Just try us.

Enjoy our list of top Vancouver sightseeing tours ?

Related : How Many Days Do I Need to Spend in Vancouver?

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Things to do in Vancouver, BC

Where to shop: vancouver's best stores for men, vancouver's best value restaurants: from casual vegetarian joints to charming french bistros, stick to your budget with these free things to do in vancouver, from cozy lounges to late night parties, enjoy the best of whistler's nightlife, explore mother nature's playground: vancouver's best outdoor activities, uncork and unwind at vancouver's best lounges, get your bearings in vancouver.

By Natasha John Vancouver Expert

Things to See

If you love the outdoors, you'll love Vancouver. This city by the sea literally has mountains, ocean and rainforests touching it on all sides.One of the best ways to get to explore the city is by riding a bike along the Seawall . This paved path stretches 5.5 miles around the city and has some of the best views. For mountain-fresh air, ride the seabus or drive over to North Vancouver to check out hiking trails and woodsy attractions like Grouse Mountain . Of course, there's indoor activities like an aquarium in Stanley Park , museums, a flight simulator and galleries.

Hot Tips: Stanley Park is home to a number of attractions. It's a great place to spend the day where the kids will stay busy and you won't have to go far.

Caution: If you're going to do a hike, be sure to practice wilderness safety. Check the weather, know the area, bring a map, pack food and extra clothing, and let people know where and when you're going.

Explore Further

• Best Attractions & Activities
• Attractions near Cruise Port
• Family-Friendly Museums
• Free Things to Do
• Outdoor Activities
• Romantic Things to Do
• Sightseeing
• Things to Do in December
• Things to Do in Fall
• Things to Do with Kids
• Tours and Excursions
• Whistler's Best Attractions & Activities

Where to Stay

Downtown Vancouver is home to many familiar name brand properties and a handful of charming boutique  hotels . If you're looking to splash out on a fancy room, you're spoiled for choice. The Fairmont Pacific Rim is lively and fun, while the Rosewood Hotel Georgia is swanky and subdued. If you're looking to save money on your hotel, there are some budget-friendly hotels that are comfortable and convenient. Getting around Vancouver is quick and convenient, so wherever you choose to stay, you can be sure that you won't be too far from the action.

Hot Tips: If you're staying in one of the fancier hotels, check to see if they're offering a car service. A number of them have luxury cars that can take you on quick trips in the city.

Avoid: If you're after a quiet night's sleep, avoid booking a hotel in the Granville Entertainment district. It's also best to avoid hotels on and around East Hastings.

• Best Hotels
• Airport Hotels
• Budget Hotels
• Cruise Port Hotels
• Downtown Hotels
• Family-Friendly Hotels
• Luxury Hotels
• Romantic Hotels

What to Eat

Restaurants in Vancouver are as diverse as the culture found in this city. Whether you're craving dim sum, curries, sushi, dosas or pizza, you can practically take a tour of the world one restaurant at a time. From cheap eats in little hole-in-the wall restaurants to fine dining experiences, there's something for all budgets. A visit to Vancouver wouldn't be complete without two things though: fish and chips by the ocean and some of the best sushi this side of the Pacific. For fish and chips, check out Go Fish! For sushi, try Miku in Coal Harbour. 

Be Sure to Sample: Fresh B.C. salmon that's raw, smoked, grilled, baked or fried. Sockeye is a local favorite. Pair it with B.C. wine and you're in for a treat!

Avoid: If you're looking for a truly great sushi experience, do yourself a favor and skip the all you can eat sushi places.

• Best Restaurants
• Best of Vancouver's Chinatown
• Best of Vancouver's Downtown
• Casual Dining
• Family Friendly
• Farm to Table
• Fine Dining
• Gastown's Best Restaurants
• Gluten-Free Baked Goods
• Group Friendly
• Outdoor Dining
• Restaurants near Cruise Port
• Restaurants with Gluten-Free Menus
• Restaurants with Healthy Menus
• Romantic Dining
• Waterfront Dining
• Whistler's Best Breakfast
• Whistler's Best Lunch
• Whistler's Best Restaurants
• Whistler's Best Value Restaurants

Places to Party

Granville Street’s entertainment district is where you'll find a large number of nightclubs, but there also a handful of other options in Gastown and Yaletown. Vancouver's a university city so it's not uncommon to find younger crowds at the clubs. Older crowds tend to hit up the lounges, bars and breweries. For cocktails and wine, head to Gastown and Chinatown where you have plenty of choice. For breweries, head over to the Main Street area for a tour of the local beer. When the sun goes down, live music is also on tap and venues are scattered around the city.

Hot Tips: Many of the breweries in the Main Street area are walkable or a short bike ride away so it's pretty easy to do a brewery tour.

Caution: Cabs can be difficult to get when all the clubs close. If you can leave before close, you may avoid a lengthy wait for a taxi.

• Best Nightlife
• Comedy Clubs
• Dance Clubs
• Early Entertainment
• Gastown's Best Nightlife
• Whistler's Best Nightlife

Where to Shop

Downtown Vancouver is where you'll find many global brands. Along Robson Street are plenty of individual shops and downtown's major shopping mall, Pacific Centre . The mall is great for a rainy day! Inside the mall are a lot of famliar brands and three major department stores: Nordstrom's , Holt Renfrew and The Hudson's Bay Company . Also off of Robson is home to some of the most luxurious brands like Gucci and Montcler. Head to Gastown if you're into one-of-a-kind boutiques and luxury home goods. When it comes to boutiques, South Granville, Main Street and Kitsilano are lovely neighborhoods to explore.  

Best Local Souvenir: Of course maple syrup and smoked sockeye salmon are popular, but locally made goods like candles that smell of cedar and balsam wood or small-batch gin are unique.

Caution: When you head into Gastown, you may not be comfortable going past Carrall Street along East Hastings Street.

• Best Shopping
• Christmas Shopping
• Gastown's Best Shopping
• Men's Clothing
• Shopping Malls and Centers
• Shopping near Cruise Port
• Whistler's Best Shopping
• Women's Clothing

Vancouver Neighborhoods

English Bay

Granville Island

North Vancouver

Things to do in Vancouver

Saje natural wellness: products you can feel good using, vancouver is known for..., 1. mountains:.

The mountains definitely help play an integral role in defining this province’s reputation for being beautiful. Not only are theses mountains easy on the eyes, they attract sport enthusiasts all year round. In the winter months, locals and visitors glide down the snow-covered peaks on the North Shore, Whistler and numerous other ski resorts across British Columbia. After the snow has melted, you will find people strapping on their gear and heading for the thrill-inducing mountain biking parks, and scenic trails being used by both leisurely hikers and trail runners. Our mountains really are the best of both worlds and provide us with entertainment for much of the year. Did we mention that the views from the tops of the mountains are equally stunning, if not more, than those from the ground? 

We don’t want to come across as bragging, but Vancouver’s oceanfront setting (in combo with the mountains) makes it one of the most beautiful cities in North America.  And of course, where there’s ocean, there’s beach. Vancouver’s many beaches are summer playgrounds for sun worshippers of all ages.  And depending on what vibe you like your beach to have, chances are there’s one in the city that will tickle your fancy.  A city surrounded by ocean also gets some of the freshest seafood around.  Local crab, fish, shellfish and other treats from the sea are easily found citywide.  Try British Columbia’s wild Pacific salmon and there’s no looking back.  If you’re lucky enough to befriend someone with a boat, a sunset cruise up Salmon Arm is one-of-a-kind.

3. Chinatown:

Boasting North America’s second largest Chinatown,Vancouver offers a real cultural treat.  Bordering Gastown - an area of Vancouver that has seen exponential housing growth -Chinatown has been getting more visitors by the day.  Go there to indulge in baked goods, roasted duck, green teas, specialty items and fun home décor. While walking around Chinatown, you’ll forget you’re in Vancouver until you catch a glimpse of those aforementioned mountains.

Those who like to eat and drink will find themselves smitten with Vancouver’s culinary scene.  The Pacific Rim tends to have a heavy influence on West Coast cuisine; enjoy experimenting with the fusion.  Sushi joints are as abundant as New York coffee shops, while street food carts offer everything from fish tacos to tasty poutine . Vancouver loves lavish delights, but if your wallet is in need of a little restraint, there are plenty of spots that will gratify the taste buds without damaging your bank account.  This diverse city may soon have you dreaming about the Indian, Vietnamese, French, Italian,Belgium, Japanese, Latin, or Thai meal that’s left you in a euphoric state. If mixology is your thing,Vancouver will keep you on your toes.  Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the Okanagan’s bounty, found in local liquor stores and restaurants.  You could literally eat your way across the city. 

Mountains surround Vancouver and tucked away on these mountains are plenty of hikes that range from easy to multi-day treks that are only for very seasoned hikers. When going out on a hike, it's best to let people know where you're going, which trail you will be using and bring some snacks and water with you. Another important tool is to bring a GPS or compass with you. The Baden Powell trail on the North Shore is a very popular trail that has a few different off-shoots that will cater to your hiking level. Many of these trails are dog friendly, so don't be surprised if you see some four legged friends taking in a nice hike. The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is a beautiful hike that's relatively moderate. The view of the suspension bridge is a very welcome addition to the already pristine forest. Vancouver does have bears, so be vigilant and brush up on your bear safety knowledge before hitting the forest. Encounters don't happen often, but you should always be prepared.

6. Beaches:

The Pacific Ocean surrounds Vancouver and has gifted the city with many beautiful beaches. Downtown Vancouver has a number of sandy spots that are ideal for soaking up the sun and enjoying a little picnic. English Bay, Sunset Beach and Second Beach are all around the West End. They're clean, family friendly and the waters are safe to swim in. Across the bridge, you will find some larger beaches, as well as Vancouver's nude beach. Wreck Beach is the city's only nude beach and is well hidden away from the general public. It involves going down quite a lot of stairs and is not accessible for those with mobility issues. Kits Beach is always busy and full of people enjoying some sports like volleyball, football and frisbee. If you like being in the thick of the action, that beach is for you. Jericho, Lacarno and Spanish Banks are a little bit more subdued and are the perfect escape from the busy city on a hot summer day.

Explore Vancouver

Neighborhood spotlight.

Named after "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a seaman from the UK, Gastown is Vancouver's most historic neighborhood and dates back to 1867. It's here that you'll find cobble stone...

5 Ducks Selected in 4th round of NFL Draft

DETROIT Mich. (KPTV) - A flock of Ducks took over Detroit on Saturday, as five Oregon players were taken in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The group was highlighted by Troy Franklin, a wide receiver who set the school’s single-single receiving yards record in 2023. The junior was selected by the Denver Broncos with the second pick of the round (102nd overall) by the Denver Broncos, who drafted Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in the first round on Thursday, reuniting the explosive tandem.

Running back Bucky Irving, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons in Eugene after transferring from Minnesota, was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 25th pick, 125th overall in the draft.

A trio of defenders also heard their names called. Cornerback Khyree Jackson and defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus went back-to-back with the eight and ninth picks of the fourth round, to the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons, respectively. Dorlus spent five seasons with the program, while Jackson finished his collegiate career at Oregon after transferring from Alabama.

Safety Evan Williams was taken 11th by the Green Bay Packers. The Fresno State transfer is the younger brother of Bennett Williams, who played for the Ducks from 2020-2022.

Center Jackson Powers-Johnson was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round on Friday night.

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