Granville Island sits at the centre of one of Vancouver’s most active marine environments, where wildlife and city life intersect on a daily basis. For photographers, this creates unique opportunities to capture marine mammals and birdlife against working waterways, bustling harbours, and the iconic Vancouver skyline. From shoreline viewpoints to time spent on the water, these locations offer some of the best wildlife photography near Granville Island.

1. False Creek

False Creek is one of the most accessible and dynamic wildlife photography locations in the city. Along its quieter edges, great blue herons, cormorants, and other seabirds can often be found feeding or resting. With kayaks, ferries, and sailboats drifting through the frame, photographers can capture wildlife set against glass towers and the Vancouver skyline, an unmistakable blend of nature and urban life.

2. Granville Island Waterfront

The Granville Island waterfront offers close-up wildlife encounters within an active working harbour. Seabirds frequently dive near docks and pilings, while seals regularly surface beside moored vessels and passing boats. The constant movement of the harbour creates ever-changing compositions, especially in late afternoon light when boats return from sunset tours.

3. Sea Vancouver Tour

A Sea Vancouver tour provides access to wildlife photography opportunities beyond what’s visible from shore. Traveling through Burrard Inlet, photographers often encounter seals on logs at haul-out sites near Whytecliff Park, offering striking natural behaviour shots. Along the route, bald eagles are commonly seen near established eagle nests around Point Atkinson, while open-water views toward Bowen Island add scale and depth.

4. Stanley Park

Stanley Park provides a more natural backdrop for wildlife photography without leaving the city. Within the park’s forested interior, squirrels and a variety of local bird species are commonly seen moving through the trees and around freshwater lakes. Great blue herons often linger along the edges of these calm waters or perch nearby, giving photographers plenty of opportunities to capture forest and freshwater wildlife throughout the park.

5. Seawall Lookouts

Quieter lookout points along the Stanley Park Seawall offer calmer wildlife viewing away from busier paths. Seals often surface close to shore, seabirds skim low over the water, and eagles move between shoreline trees and open water. These vantage points are ideal for patient observation and clean compositions, particularly during softer morning or evening light.

Granville Island proves that exceptional wildlife photography doesn’t require leaving Vancouver. From False Creek and the Granville Island waterfront to eagle habitats in Stanley Park and seals near Whytecliff Park, these locations highlight how closely wildlife and urban life coexist. Whether shooting from shore or joining tours on the water through Burrard Inlet, photographers can experience diverse and rewarding wildlife encounters right in the heart of the city.