An Eco Expedition: Six Sustainable Tourist Destinations in Canada

ALLIE MURRAY

Canada is known for its bountiful beauty, and one thing is for sure: no province is quite like the other.

Sustainable travel is made easy while travelling through the Great White North, especially with the abundance of provinces, territories, and cities themselves that are pledging to make our country a greener place.

We’ve rounded up six must-visit destinations for sustainable travellers to explore across the country.

THE HOODOOS OF DRUMHELLER

DRUMHELLER, ALBERTA

Alberta is known for its abundance of beauty, and it is one of Canada’s most sustainable tourist destinations! There is no shortage of things to explore in the province— the mountains of Banff, the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, and so much more.

The Hoodoos of Drumheller are a hidden gem among the Alberta beauties, making it a unique stop for eco-travellers in the region. The Drumheller hoodoos formed millions of years ago and are sandstone pillars formed through years of freezing,

frost, and wind. Whereas the hoodoos are fragile due to their sand formation, they form a hard “hat” atop to keep it from eroding; however, climbing on the hoodoos is not recommended.

The Hoodoo Trail gives nature explorers a unique look into the natural phenomenon and gives a peek into the things to discover in Alberta.

FOGO ISLAND INN FOGO ISLAND, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Situated off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Fogo Island is a quaint town that boasts luxury and sustainability. A stay at Fogo Island Inn allows you to enjoy picturesque views of the ocean, and if you’re lucky, see the northern lights. Fogo Island Inn is a one-of-a-kind award-winning luxury property with 29 unique rooms and suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto the ocean.

Built on the principles of sustainability and a true love and respect for nature and culture, Fogo Island Inn offers a holistic immersion into community development and cultural preservation.

Working alongside local

charities and sustainability practices, Fogo Island Inn is seen as a community asset. All operating surpluses are reinvested to help secure a sustainable and resilient future for Fogo Island and contribute to the local and global economy.

ZIPTREK ECOTOURS MONT-TREMBLANT, QUÉBEC

Soar above the trees and experience the longest zipline in Quebec with Ziptrek Ecotours! Mont-Tremblant focuses on green initiatives, including green hotel programs and eco-friendly events, making it the perfect stop on an ecotourism trip.

Striving to be the world leader in zipline ecotourism, Ziptrek takes you down five ziplines in Mont-Tremblant, showcasing the beauty of nature. Since its inception in 2002, Ziptrek Ecotours strives to offer both learningfocused fun and thrills. They also provide zipline trails in Whistler, B.C., and Queenstown, New Zealand.

Ziptrek Ecotours is closed for the winter but is ready to welcome the bravest of adventurers in spring 2022.

OCEAN OUTFITTERS

TOFINO, BRITISH COLUMBIA

From the comfort of a luxurious covered boat, take a deep dive in the waters off the coast of British Columbia to discover vast wildlife, including humpback whales, killer whales, black bears, sea otters, and so much more.

In Tofino, British Columbia, Ocean Outfitters operates as an eco-tourism leader and a certified green business that is committed to not only providing unforgettable experiences for its guests but also inspiring people to support conservation.

The boat tours offered by Ocean Outfitters are carbonneutral and showcase all the beauty British Columbia has to offer: its natural landscapes.

CLASSIC POLAR BEAR ADVENTURE

CHURCHILL, MANITOBA

Get up close and personal to one of Canada’s most unique animals: polar bears. In Churchill, Manitoba, the World Wildlife Fund works closely with Natural Habitat Adventures to protect the endangered species and welcome tourists to get a glimpse of these polar bears up close and share the dire need for

support for these animals.

During the Classic Polar Bear Adventure, Natural Habitat Adventures takes you along the Hudson Bay to get an intimate view of polar bears. The tours are led by naturalist guides and take you up close with a custom vehicle.

While in Churchill, enjoy all that Canada’s north has to offer and take a dog sled trip, try snowshoeing, and so much more.

BAY OF FUNDY

NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA

Spreading across two provinces is the natural phenomenon of The Bay of Fundy, which is home to both the world’s most extreme tides. The water levels rise and fall by as much as 48 feet every day, allowing tourists to kayak along the tides and walk on the ocean floor!

The Bay of Fundy is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, an accolade given to regions that promote solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use.

Twice a day, 160 billion tons of seawater pours in to fill the bay during high tide. And, during low tide, the water vanishes to leave behind a firm ocean floor to explore on foot.