A grey whale made its way into Vancouver's False Creek on Wednesday, wowing crowds who gathered to catch a glimpse.

It meandered into the harbour at around noon before travelling east all the way to Science World, drawing the attention of cyclists and pedestrians amazed to see a massive ocean mammal so close to the city's downtown.

A B.C. Coast Guard boat tracked the whale's movements to ensure its safety, said spokesman Dan Bate.

"A crew from Kitsilano was tasked to keep an eye on it and ensure there was no interference from other boaters."

It made its way out of the area shortly before 3 p.m.

Caitlin Birdsall of the B.C. Cetacean Sighting Network says it's not unusual for grey whales to make pit stops in the area on their migration north to the Bering Sea.

She says the whale was likely looking for food in the shallow, sandy waterway.

The sightings network last reported a grey whale in Vancouver last April, when one wandered into English Bay.

With files from The Canadian Press

Have you seen the whale? Send your photos to bcassign@ctv.ca