Given a temperate climate and forest, mountain, and marine environments teeming with life, it's no surprise that wildlife watching is an important pastime and growing business in and around Vancouver. Many people walk the ocean foreshores or park and mountain trails, binoculars or scopes in hand, looking for exceptional or rare birds. Others venture onto the water to see seals, sea lions, and whales—as well as the birds that inhabit the maritime world.

Sewell's Marina Horseshoe Bay. This long-time marina at the foot of Howe Sound runs year-round two-hour eco tours of the surrounding marine and coastal mountain habitat. Sightings range from seals to soaring eagles. High-speed rigid inflatable hulls are used. 6409 Bay St., Horseshoe Bay. 604/921-3474.

Bird- & Eagle-Watching

Between mid-November and mid-February, the world's largest concentration of bald eagles gathers to feed on salmon at Brackendale Eagles' Park (Government Rd. off Hwy. 99, Brackendale), about an hour north of Vancouver.

Canadian Outback Adventure Company. This outfit runs "eagle safari" trips that allow you to watch and photograph eagles from a slow-moving raft on the Cheakamus River. Transportation from Vancouver is available. 604/921-7250 or 800/565-8735.

George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary. More than 260 species of migratory birds visit this 850-acre site on Westham Island, about an hour south of Vancouver. A seasonal highlight is the arrival of an estimated 80,000 Lesser Snow Geese in the late fall. 5191 Robertson Rd., Ladner. 604/946-6980. C$4. Daily 9-4.

Steveston Seabreeze Adventures. During the autumn bird migratory season, Seabreeze takes bird-watchers by boat along the Fraser Estuary to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island. 12551 No. 1 Rd., Richmond. 604/272-7200.

Vancouver All-Terrain Adventures. Day trips to Brackendale include pickup in Vancouver in a four-wheel drive, and an option to watch the eagles by raft or horseback. 778/371-7830 or 888/754-5601.

Sea Lion Viewing

In April and early May thousands of male California sea lions and larger Steller sea lions settle on rocks near the mouth of the Fraser River to feed on the eulachon, a member of the smelt family. Sightseeing boats make the short trip from Steveston into the estuary.

Steveston Seabreeze Adventures. From docks in Steveston village in Richmond, south of Vancouver, Seabreeze motors into the sea lion's natural habitat. 12551 No. 1 Rd., Richmond. 604/272-7200.

Whale-Watching

Between April and October pods of orca whales travel through the Strait of Georgia, near Vancouver. The area is also home to harbor seals, elephant seals, bald eagles, minke whales, porpoises, and a wealth of birdlife.

Lotus Land Tours. High-speed covered boats take you out to watch for whales and other wildlife in the Strait of Georgia. The three- to five-hour cruise costs C$149 and includes pickup anywhere in Vancouver and an on-board lunch. 604/684-4922 or 800/528-3531.

Prince of Whales. This established Victoria operator runs four-hour trips from the downtown waterfront (near Waterfront Station) across Georgia Strait to the Victoria area in season. 812 Wharf St., Victoria. 888/383-4884.

Wild Whales Vancouver. Boats leave Granville Island in search of orca pods in Georgia Strait, traveling as far as Victoria. Rates are C$109 for a three- to seven-hour trip in either an open or glass-domed boat. Each boat leaves once daily, April through October, conditions permitting. 604/699-2011.