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Churchill
On the edge of the Arctic

Seawalls Murals | Treaty 5

Everything Churchill

Welcome to the polar bear capital of the world.

One thousand kilometres north of Winnipeg is a place that feels like another world. At first glance, Churchill is a northern town like any other. But take another look and you’ll see Churchill is a one-of-a-kind Manitoba destination. Lying along the migration path of polar bears and beluga whales, Churchill draws wildlife enthusiasts from all over the globe.

Polar bear illustration

Fall is prime time to see polar bears in Churchill.

Adventure on the edge of the Arctic

Your first clue that Churchill is a place for adventurers is the fact that there are no roads that lead here. Coming by plane or train are the only ways to get to this remote town on the shores of Hudson Bay. Churchill hotels and eco-lodges welcome those seeking once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experiences watching polar bears, beluga whales and also the northern lights, which are visible here up to 300 nights of the year.

Explore Churchill

Polar bear and cub on the rocky shore in Churchill, by Max Muench

Welcome to Churchill, Canada

Known as the polar bear capital of the world, Churchill is also known as a beluga whale watching hotspot and one of the best places to see the northern lights.

Two people watching the northern lights in Churchill

Plan Your Trip

Start planning your trip to see beluga whales, polar bears or the northern lights!

Sleeping polar bear mural on a winter afternoon in Churchill.

About Churchill, Canada

Learn about the history of Churchill and its surroundings, from the Pre-Dorset to Modern Inuit cultures through to the european fur trade and exploration of the North.

Two kayakers enjoying a sunset paddle on a clear calm evening.

Blog

Learn more about Manitoba travel experiences.

The northern lights (aurora borealis) in greens and pinks over a frozen lake.

Northern Lights

Churchill is a year-round destination: fall is prime time to see polar bears, winter offers amazing northern lights viewing, spring is the top season for birdwatching and summer sees thousands of beluga whales arrive in the area.

The northern lights can be experienced in Churchill 300 days a year.

Churchill’s culture and history are equally fascinating. See where retreating glaciers etched marks on rocks that are billions of years old. Tour a 300 year-old stone fort established by the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Go on a thrilling dogsled ride and learn about the importance of this mode of transportation to the people in the North. Admire intricate carvings and other Inuit art and artifacts at the Itsanitaq Museum. From hiking through vibrant fireweed to a shipwreck or seeing the town’s character brought to life in colourful murals, don’t be surprised if Churchill surprises you.

Our Partners

Close up photo of a polar bear on the summer tundra.
Jessica Burtnick
Frontiers North Adventures

Sustainable and Meaningful Adventures

Dine beneath the northern lights, lock eyes with polar bears or sing alongside beluga whales on an immersive and meaningful adventure. Experience Churchill with Frontiers North Adventures, a sustainable B Corp®, and make a positive impact when you travel.

Three people on a deck at a yurt, watching the northern lights dance overhead near Churchill.
Nanuk Operations

Adventure in Canada's North

This winter come and join us for an adventure in Canada's north. Aurora, dog sledding, snow shoe treks! All a part of Nanuk Operations award winning Nights Under Lights multi day Aurora tour. Your adventure awaits!

Two people pose with a canon at the Prince of Wales Fort in Churchill.
Parks Canada

Prince of Wales Fort

Hop aboard a boat down the windswept coast of Hudson Bay and visit the astonishing Prince of Wales Fort. Get a real sense of a fur trader’s life in the subarctic at this massive stone outpost.

Two people watch the northern lights dance across the sky on a snowy field.
The Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Unrivaled Scientific & Cultural Experiences

Join us for an unrivaled educational experience, which features scientific and cultural activities led by our experts. Whether you're looking for belugas, bears, birds, or the breathtaking northern lights, you'll find the experience of a lifetime with us.

Person lying on their back in the snow, looking up at the northern lights in Churchill.

Explore Churchill

Peak viewing time to witness the flickering green hues of the northern lights are between February and March, with plenty of multi-day tour options available.

Polar bear playing its back on the green tundra.
Jad Davenport at Churchill Wild

There are a variety of tours for viewing polar bears in Churchill in both the summer and fall season and deciding on which one is best for you depends on your level of adventure, your desire for exclusivity and your budget.

More Info
Two people kayaking with a pod of beluga whales near Churchill, Manitoba.

Beautiful Belugas

Over 57,000 beluga whales make their way into Hudson Bay each year, with 4,000 of those entering the Churchill River Estuary. There are a number of multi-day, single-day and DIY style tours to choose from on your northern summer adventure.

More Info

Discover Winnipeg's turn-of-the-last century Exchange District, friendly neighbourhoods and attractions showcasing the city’s history.

Get Inspired

Travelling to Churchill: How to reach northern Manitoba on a budget

When people hear about travelling to Churchill, their first reaction is “I would love to go one day but it’s so expensive to fly there”. And that’s true. Flights are not cheap. But there is a far more reasonable way to get to the polar bear capital of the...

The ULTIMATE guide to summer in Churchill, Manitoba

A trip to the northern town of Churchill, Manitoba is not the easiest trip in the world. It can be expensive. There are limited transportation options...and even more limited seasons. But guess what? A visit to this very special region is absolutely worth...

Two peole hiking down a snow covered road through the forest with their brown dog.

Hiking & Biking Trails

Thousands of kilometres of trails for adventures in every season.