Churchill Holidays

Best time to visit Churchill

The best time to visit Churchill, Canada depends on what you want to see and do.

Polar bears: Churchill is known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World," and the best time to see polar bears is in the fall, from October to November. This is when the Hudson Bay starts to freeze over, and the polar bears gather along the shore to wait for the seal hunt to begin.

Beluga whales: Beluga whales arrive in Churchill in the summer, from July to August, to feed and breed. During this time, you can see them swimming in the Churchill River and estuary.

Northern lights: Churchill is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. The aurora can be seen at any time of year, but the best time to visit is in the winter, from February to March, when the nights are long and dark.

Other wildlife: Churchill is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including moose, wolves, foxes, and birds. The best time to see these animals is in the summer, when they are more active.

Discover Churchill

Churchill is a remarkable place to visit. Isolated and desolate, it is also ruggedly beautiful and rich with wildlife and natural spectacles. Perched on the shores of Hudson Bay on the northern border of Manitoba, the town is not accessible by road, only by air or by train. But Churchill’s remoteness is a large part of its charm and those who make the journey are rewarded above and beyond.

Here, majestic polar bears can be viewed in their natural habitat unlike anywhere else in the world. It's a beluga whale hotspot and a birder's paradise too. With its vast, open tundra landscapes, its wildlife and its magical light shows, Churchill is a world away from other holiday destinations. Here you will make memories you will never forget, in a place you will take with you forever.

The Polar Bear and Beluga Whale Capital

Polar Bear Watching and Tundra Vehicle

The main attraction in Churchill is the amazing wildlife and it is one of the best places in the world to see polar bears in the wild. There are several ways to encounter polar bears: take a tour in a tundra vehicle across the frozen flats in early winter and watch them as they congregate on the edge of the bay waiting for the waters to freeze. Or head into Wapusk National Park with a guide in early spring and see watch the mothers and cubs emerge from their dens. You can stay in a wilderness lodge right in the polar bears’ habitat and observe them up close – protected by fences. Or spend a few nights in a live-aboard tundra coach and come face-to-face with these magnificent creatures as they peer into your windows.

Belugas and Other Wildlife

Seeing the very sociable beluga whales is also a magical experience as they whistle and chirp their trademark calls to each other. The pearly-white whales flock to the warmer waters of the Hudson Bay and the Churchill River after the ice breaks up in the summer months. They can be spotted in a variety of ways - on a zodiac or larger tour boat, from the shores, from a canoe, or even snorkelling. Polar bears and belugas are not the only wildlife to spot however. Over 250 species of birds pass through during spring and autumn on their migrations and beautiful arctic hares and foxes are other common sights.

Churchill town and Northern Lights

The town itself is a frontier town with good amenities including a selection of hotels and restaurants, several shops and gift stores. There are polar bears everywhere – from signs and murals to statues and souvenirs, and very occasionally real live wanders through town. It is also home to the Eskimo Museum, which is an interesting little place with a nice collection of stuffed animals and Inuit sculptures including some carved from the artist’s own teeth!

Churchill Events

Churchill has several festivals throughout the year, perhaps most popular of which is the Aurora Winter Fest. It takes place in March and is a great celebration of local culture with dog sled races, workshops, snow sculpting events and plenty of live entertainment. On July 1st, the town celebrates Canada Day and the coming of summer with a spectacular event where locals and visitors leap into the icy waters of Hudson Bay dressed in a variety of colourful costumes.

Northern Lights

Churchill is an excellent spot to watch the mystical Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Although best viewed when the night skies are darkest from January to March, they can be seen throughout the year. During the winter, watch the show in comfort from a custom-made plexiglass covered Aurora Dome, or in the warmer summer months gather around a campfire and hope for a glimpse.