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February 19, 2026
Granville Island sits at the heart of one of Vancouver’s most photogenic waterways, where urban vibes and coastal wildlife blend seamlessly. Whether you’re shooting with a telephoto lens or just your phone, these nearby spots offer incredible opportunities to capture wildlife with iconic cityscapes in the background, all within easy reach of the island.
1. False Creek
Just a short walk or paddle away, False Creek is a surprisingly active wildlife corridor. Harbour seals frequently haul out here, and photographers are often rewarded with seals on logs basking in the sun. Great blue herons, cormorants and various sea birds can be seen hanging around the shorelines. Add the glass towers and boats drifting past, and you’ve got a classic mix of nature and city, perfect for capturing the Vancouver skyline in one frame.
2. Burrard Bridge Lookouts
Overlooking the Burrard Inlet, photographers can spot a variety of local wildlife. Bald eagles are commonly seen soaring overhead or perched near known eagle nests along the shoreline, while cormorants, gulls, and other seabirds move through the area throughout the day. Calm mornings offer the best chance to see marine life, while afternoons bring increased bird activity as winds pick up around the bridge.
3. Vanier Park
This amazing green space just west of Granville Island provides unobstructed views across the water toward the North Shore mountains. Waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds are regular visitors. From Elsje Point, Bowen Island often appears framed by passing seabirds and the occasional marine mammal along the shoreline. On clear days, the island adds depth and scale to wildlife shots looking out toward Howe Sound. This is also a favourite vantage point for photographers shooting sunset tours, when the sky lights up behind the Vancouver skyline and silhouettes wildlife against warm, glowing colours.
4. Stanley Park
Within Stanley Park, forested trails and quiet clearings offer excellent opportunities to spot bald eagles, often seen patrolling above known eagle nests tucked high in the trees. Moving toward the Stanley Park Seawall, attention shifts to the water, where seabirds and seals are regularly spotted just offshore, and if you’re lucky, the occasional whale may even pass by!
5. Prince of Whales Tour
Departing directly from Granville Island, a Prince of Whales tour takes you beyond shoreline viewpoints and into prime marine wildlife habitat. Getting out on the water offers the chance to encounter species rarely seen from land, including sea lions, humpback whales, and even orcas as they move through the region. With open water and ever-changing conditions, these tours provide opportunities to experience Vancouver’s marine wildlife from a perspective that simply isn’t possible from shore.
Granville Island offers countless ways to connect with Vancouver’s coastal wildlife. Each of these locations highlights how closely nature and city life coexist, but for those looking to explore even further, heading out on the water opens up entirely new opportunities. Departing from Granville Island, Prince of Whales tours provide access to deeper wildlife habitats and a chance to experience Vancouver’s marine life from a perspective that simply can’t be reached from shore.
