Canadian destinations for a whale of a time

They've also been the subject of much controversy over the past few decades as whaling practices dangerously depleted populations around the world and nearly drove some species to extinction.

Thankfully, human/whale relations greatly improved when controversy bred curiosity about these sea-dwelling mammals. Whale watching has exploded in popularity around the world, and it's more than a tourist must-see. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) encourages controlled whale watching activities because they promote environmental awareness and conservation -- not just for whales but other marine life too.

While there are many popular whale watching destinations around the world, some of the top choices are closer to home. Whether you want to get out on the water or do some spying from shore, here's where to spot whales in Canada.

British Columbia

Some whales live nearby, and others are just passing through. Species like the gray whale make their annual journey from the south (the Sea of Cortes near Baja California, Mexico, to be exact) to their summer feeding grounds in Arctic waters. The trek is slow one -- about five kilometres an hour -- and a one way trip can be between 8000 and 10000 km. The BC coastline offers some prime viewing of whales on the move starting in early spring.

Others call the waters near Vancouver Island home -- like the iconic orcas or "killer whales". There are even feeding grounds near two of the province's major cities, Vancouver and Victoria. Some top spots include the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve on Vancouver Island, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada (which hosts an annual festival to welcome the whales) and the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Northern BC also offers some prime watching spots, like Prince Rupert.