Churchill is famous for the many polar bears that congregate here in the autumn — leading to the town's nickname and unoffical title as "Polar Bear Capital of the World". As Canada's polar bears migrate from their summer homes on the tundra to the shores of Hudson Bay, many of them converge in Churchill.
It is estimated that 1,200 or more of these creatures move through the area each autumn.
The window period to see these bears is very brief, lasting from October to early November. As soon as sturdy ice forms on Hudson Bay, they leave the area to hunt seals for the winter. The short migration period of the polar bears makes it very important to book your trip to Churchill as soon as possible.
If you wish to see the beauty of this vulnerable species, plan a 5 to 7-day trip to Churchill, Manitoba this fall. Canada Polar Bears offers a wide variety of packages that will allow you and your family to get a close up view of these large predators. You will be escorted by trained professionals in an enclosed Tundra Buggy to ensure that you stay safe, but still get a face-to-face look at possibly hundreds of Canada's polar bears.
Located along Manitoba's 1400 km coastline on the Hudson Bay, Churchill is the meeting of three major biomes: marine, boreal forest and tundra, each supporting a variety of flora and fauna. If you're interested in exploring more than just Polar Bears, you can experience Beluga whales, arctic birds and owls, arctic wolves, and the rich history of Inuit, Chipewyan, Swampy and Cree tribes that have long inhabited the pristine area.
Tourists can safely view polar bears from specially modified buses known as tundra buggies. October and early November are the most feasible times to see the polar bears, hundreds of which wait on the vast peninsula until the water freezes on Hudson Bay so that they can return to hunt their primary food source, ringed seals. Whether you're looking to experience an ecotourism adventure among Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, or just see the magnificent Hudson Bay - let us make it an unforgettable experience.
Manitoba's polar bear migration is a spectacle that leaves many with lifelong memories, but don't worry if you can't make it during the community's peak travel period. There is plenty more to do in Churchill, including snowshoeing, bus tours and Tundra Buggy adventures. There is plenty to do in Churchill year round. Here are just a few of the many activities the area has to offer.
Avian-lovers can find a complete paradise in Manitoba. About 200 species of birds pass through Churchill each year as they complete their migratory cycles. Churchill's long daylight hours (5am to 10pm at their longest) provide you with plenty of opportunities to see the town's large number of winged visitors.
The town of Churchill claims to have the best beluga whale watching in the world. These claims are not unsubstantiated, as the Churchill River sees the migration of 3,000 or more beluga whales each year. You can go on a boat tour on the river to watch these playful, aquatic mammals socialize in their natural habitat.
Aurora Borealis is visible at most points throughout the year, but the phenomenon is especially evident between January and March. You can get a great view of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your Churchill hotel, or take a guided group tour into the Canadian wilderness to see the spectacle in a secluded location. Some tour operators have clothing rentals so you can stay safe and comfortable outside during the cold, arctic nights. Our travel site Northernlightscanada.com can help you plan your Northern Lights tour.
Many people spend years training themselves and a pack of canines in order to form a talented dog sled team. It takes a great deal of discipline and endurance for both mushers and their teams to stay level headed and energetic in arctic conditions. Luckily, you can enjoy a world-class dog sled tour without years of preparation! The town of Churchill is home to dog sledding professionals who can be hired to lead brief excursion. In one afternoon, you can experience the excitement of the Iditarod! There's positively no better way to catch the Spirit of the North than by taking a dog sled adventure. Visitors that come to Churchill to view polar bears often comment that their dog sledding adventure was among the unexpected highlights of their trip.
About half of the population is Caucasian and the other half are Aboriginal, mostly Chipewyan and Swampy Cree. A minority is composed of Inuit natives. Hunting, trapping and fishing is still an important activity to most of these men; although there are some summer trails, snowmobiles, are their main way of transport. Nearby is the Itsanitaq Museum, with over 850 high quality Inuit carvings on permanent display.
The exhibits include historic and contemporary sculptures of stone, bone, and ivory, as well as archaeological and wildlife specimens. Parks Canada visitor centre also has artifacts on display and makes use of audiovisual presentations of various topics involving the region's natural and archaeological history.
Churchill has a history steeped in rich history and tradition. A variety of nomadic Arctic people lived and hunted in this region. The Thule people arrived around 1000 A.D. from farther west, and later evolved into the present-day Inuit culture. The Dene people arrived around 500 from farther north. Since before the time of European contact, the region around Churchill has been predominantly inhabited by the Chipewyan and Cree cultures.
After an abortive attempt in 1688-89, in 1717 the Hudson's Bay Company built the first permanent settlement, which was a log fort a few miles upstream from the mouth of the Churchill River. The trading post and river were named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, an ancestor of Winston Churchill, who was governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in the late 1600s. The fort was built mostly to capitalize on the northern trade, out of the reach of York Factory. It dealt mainly with the Chipewyan peoples living north of the boreal forest. Much of the fur came from as far away as Lake Athabasca and the Rocky Mountains.
Today, the great presence of Polar Bears has made Churchill The Polar Bear Capital of the World. Each October and November, the town braces itself for an influx of 8000 tourists who flock to Churchill annually in a six-week window of opportunity that has become known as the Polar Bear migration.
While visiting one of the world's most pristine ecotourism locations in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada there is an abundance of activities to keep you occupied in between your ecotourism adventures. After you've experienced the magnificent polar bear encounters or observed the fascinating Beluga Whale communities on the Hudson - take a day to explore some of Churchill's historic sites.
While experiencing the ecotourism adventure of a lifetime in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada - make sure to check out Churchill's array of amazing historical sites in the area.
Check out SeaWalls CHURCHILL
This collection of beautiful murals was painted by Canadian and international artists. You can find them along the shore of the Hudson Bay
Katherine FoxcroftDirector of Product: Hotels, Tours and Excursions
Enjoy local expertise and guidance with a fully planned itinerary. Personalize your trip by adding extra time in Canada at the start or end of your Northern Lights tour.
Relax and focus on making memories. Let us make all of the bookings for you, including your guided polar-bear tour, hotels, excursions and activities, and transfers.
We’re here to make sure you get the inside scoop before you even leave home. And you can relax on your vacation because you know that we’re a phone call away if you have any questions while you’re in Canada.
Popular Trips
Lords of the Wilderness Bear ViewingSubarctic Discovery: Churchill Polar BearsClassic Churchill Polar Bears Tundra Buggy Lodge Polar Bear ViewingCanadian Train and Polar Bear AdventureChurchill Belugas and Bears Summer AdventureExplore Canada Polar Bears
Polar-Bear Tours in Churchill Tundra-Buggy Polar-Bear ToursBest Grizzly and Polar-Bear Tours Polar-Bear Tours in SummerBest Time to See Polar Bears in ChurchillFacts About Canadian Polar BearsArctic Wildlife in ChurchillFacts About Beluga Whales in ChurchillPolar-Bears Tours on Hudson BayArctic Tours in Canada© 2025 Fresh Tracks Canada
It is estimated that 1,200 or more of these creatures move through the area each autumn.
The window period to see these bears is very brief, lasting from October to early November. As soon as sturdy ice forms on Hudson Bay, they leave the area to hunt seals for the winter. The short migration period of the polar bears makes it very important to book your trip to Churchill as soon as possible.
If you wish to see the beauty of this vulnerable species, plan a 5 to 7-day trip to Churchill, Manitoba this fall. Canada Polar Bears offers a wide variety of packages that will allow you and your family to get a close up view of these large predators. You will be escorted by trained professionals in an enclosed Tundra Buggy to ensure that you stay safe, but still get a face-to-face look at possibly hundreds of Canada's polar bears.
Located along Manitoba's 1400 km coastline on the Hudson Bay, Churchill is the meeting of three major biomes: marine, boreal forest and tundra, each supporting a variety of flora and fauna. If you're interested in exploring more than just Polar Bears, you can experience Beluga whales, arctic birds and owls, arctic wolves, and the rich history of Inuit, Chipewyan, Swampy and Cree tribes that have long inhabited the pristine area.
Tourists can safely view polar bears from specially modified buses known as tundra buggies. October and early November are the most feasible times to see the polar bears, hundreds of which wait on the vast peninsula until the water freezes on Hudson Bay so that they can return to hunt their primary food source, ringed seals. Whether you're looking to experience an ecotourism adventure among Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, or just see the magnificent Hudson Bay - let us make it an unforgettable experience.
Manitoba's polar bear migration is a spectacle that leaves many with lifelong memories, but don't worry if you can't make it during the community's peak travel period. There is plenty more to do in Churchill, including snowshoeing, bus tours and Tundra Buggy adventures. There is plenty to do in Churchill year round. Here are just a few of the many activities the area has to offer.
Avian-lovers can find a complete paradise in Manitoba. About 200 species of birds pass through Churchill each year as they complete their migratory cycles. Churchill's long daylight hours (5am to 10pm at their longest) provide you with plenty of opportunities to see the town's large number of winged visitors.
The town of Churchill claims to have the best beluga whale watching in the world. These claims are not unsubstantiated, as the Churchill River sees the migration of 3,000 or more beluga whales each year. You can go on a boat tour on the river to watch these playful, aquatic mammals socialize in their natural habitat.
Aurora Borealis is visible at most points throughout the year, but the phenomenon is especially evident between January and March. You can get a great view of the Northern Lights from the comfort of your Churchill hotel, or take a guided group tour into the Canadian wilderness to see the spectacle in a secluded location. Some tour operators have clothing rentals so you can stay safe and comfortable outside during the cold, arctic nights. Our travel site Northernlightscanada.com can help you plan your Northern Lights tour.
Many people spend years training themselves and a pack of canines in order to form a talented dog sled team. It takes a great deal of discipline and endurance for both mushers and their teams to stay level headed and energetic in arctic conditions. Luckily, you can enjoy a world-class dog sled tour without years of preparation! The town of Churchill is home to dog sledding professionals who can be hired to lead brief excursion. In one afternoon, you can experience the excitement of the Iditarod! There's positively no better way to catch the Spirit of the North than by taking a dog sled adventure. Visitors that come to Churchill to view polar bears often comment that their dog sledding adventure was among the unexpected highlights of their trip.
About half of the population is Caucasian and the other half are Aboriginal, mostly Chipewyan and Swampy Cree. A minority is composed of Inuit natives. Hunting, trapping and fishing is still an important activity to most of these men; although there are some summer trails, snowmobiles, are their main way of transport. Nearby is the Itsanitaq Museum, with over 850 high quality Inuit carvings on permanent display.
The exhibits include historic and contemporary sculptures of stone, bone, and ivory, as well as archaeological and wildlife specimens. Parks Canada visitor centre also has artifacts on display and makes use of audiovisual presentations of various topics involving the region's natural and archaeological history.
Churchill has a history steeped in rich history and tradition. A variety of nomadic Arctic people lived and hunted in this region. The Thule people arrived around 1000 A.D. from farther west, and later evolved into the present-day Inuit culture. The Dene people arrived around 500 from farther north. Since before the time of European contact, the region around Churchill has been predominantly inhabited by the Chipewyan and Cree cultures.
After an abortive attempt in 1688-89, in 1717 the Hudson's Bay Company built the first permanent settlement, which was a log fort a few miles upstream from the mouth of the Churchill River. The trading post and river were named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, an ancestor of Winston Churchill, who was governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in the late 1600s. The fort was built mostly to capitalize on the northern trade, out of the reach of York Factory. It dealt mainly with the Chipewyan peoples living north of the boreal forest. Much of the fur came from as far away as Lake Athabasca and the Rocky Mountains.
Today, the great presence of Polar Bears has made Churchill The Polar Bear Capital of the World. Each October and November, the town braces itself for an influx of 8000 tourists who flock to Churchill annually in a six-week window of opportunity that has become known as the Polar Bear migration.
While visiting one of the world's most pristine ecotourism locations in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada there is an abundance of activities to keep you occupied in between your ecotourism adventures. After you've experienced the magnificent polar bear encounters or observed the fascinating Beluga Whale communities on the Hudson - take a day to explore some of Churchill's historic sites.
While experiencing the ecotourism adventure of a lifetime in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada - make sure to check out Churchill's array of amazing historical sites in the area.
Check out SeaWalls CHURCHILL
This collection of beautiful murals was painted by Canadian and international artists. You can find them along the shore of the Hudson Bay
Katherine FoxcroftDirector of Product: Hotels, Tours and Excursions
Enjoy local expertise and guidance with a fully planned itinerary. Personalize your trip by adding extra time in Canada at the start or end of your Northern Lights tour.
Relax and focus on making memories. Let us make all of the bookings for you, including your guided polar-bear tour, hotels, excursions and activities, and transfers.
We’re here to make sure you get the inside scoop before you even leave home. And you can relax on your vacation because you know that we’re a phone call away if you have any questions while you’re in Canada.
Popular Trips
Lords of the Wilderness Bear ViewingSubarctic Discovery: Churchill Polar BearsClassic Churchill Polar Bears Tundra Buggy Lodge Polar Bear ViewingCanadian Train and Polar Bear AdventureChurchill Belugas and Bears Summer AdventureExplore Canada Polar Bears
Polar-Bear Tours in Churchill Tundra-Buggy Polar-Bear ToursBest Grizzly and Polar-Bear Tours Polar-Bear Tours in SummerBest Time to See Polar Bears in ChurchillFacts About Canadian Polar BearsArctic Wildlife in ChurchillFacts About Beluga Whales in ChurchillPolar-Bears Tours on Hudson BayArctic Tours in Canada© 2025 Fresh Tracks Canada
