Just under six hours' flying time from the UK, wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted to find a whole host of animal adventures in Atlantic Canada. From bear safaris and humpback whale snorkelling to twilight critter spotting and boating escapades watching the giants of the deep; a trip New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island will provide a holiday experience that is definitely out of the ordinary.

New Brunswick
Little Big Bear Safari
Deep in the woods at Acadieville in New Brunswick lies the Little Big Bear Safari. Richard, the bear whisperer, will tell travellers all about the black bears which can be seen from the secure treehouse. Richard has a very interesting story and didn't intentionally become a bear whisperer but after a chance-encounter with a little orphan bear, visitors from around the world can now view wild bears in their natural habitat on a two hour tour.

Tours cost £27 (CAD$45) per adult, £9 (CAD$15) per child and a family package which admits two adults and two children costs £60 (CAD$99). Tours run from May - October each year. www.bearsafari.com/en/bear.cfm

Newfoundland and Labrador
Snorkelling with humpback whales
Dive into the clear waters of the North Atlantic and wait for gentle humpback whales to whoosh by. They go 15 miles an hour, but it seems a lot faster up close.

Travellers can get up close to the species which is famed for its extended song. In July and August tours take half a day and depart from Petty Harbour in Newfoundland and Labrador. Snorkelling excursions start from £119 (CAD$199) per person. www.oceanquestadventures.com

Nova Scotia
Help Blandling's Turtles at Kejimkujik National Park
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site is inviting travellers to participate in Blanding's turtle nest monitoring within the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve and protect turtle nests once they are laid with enclosures. This reduces nest predation by raccoons and increases the number of young turtles in the population. Volunteers can also assist with radio-tracking throughout the summer and hatchling emergence in the autumn. Email volunteer.keji@pc.gc.ca for details of conservation schemes running in the park or call 001 (902) 298 0486. www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ns/kejimkujik/activ/activ14.aspx.

Prince Edward Island
Feed the giants of the ocean
See massive Bluefin tuna weighing over 500lbs feeding on large schools of herring just off the coast of Prince Edward Island with Captain Kenny McRae aboard the vessel WayPoint 04. Local whales also join the feeding frenzy and whilst these giants move slowly, the Bluefin Tuna are just the opposite travelling at speed bursts of 40 to 50 mph to swoop in on the herring. Tours last between four and five hours and cost £45 (CAD$75) per adult and £30 (CAD$50) per child. www.giantbluefintuna.com

Getting there:
Flights with Canadian Affair start from £498 return in June 2014 from London Heathrow to Halifax, Nova Scotia. For information and reservations, call Canadian Affair on 020 7616 9933 or visit www.canadianaffair.com.
 
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Media contact:
For further information please contact Amy Skelding, Tryphena Greenwood or Steele Paulich at atlanticcanada@brightergroup.com  / 020 7326 9880.

Editors Notes:
The Atlantic Canada region is coastal Canada on our doorstep.  Just over five hours away from the UK, the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have all the perfect elements for an interesting and inspiring escape.  Each province has its own character but all are renowned for their outstanding natural beauty, stunning coastline, friendly people, incredible seafood, UNESCO World Heritage sites and National Parks. This region really is Canada's best-kept secret.

This project has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP).  ACTP is a nine member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism industry Associations and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism. 

www.atlanticcanadaholiday.co.uk