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Churchill
On the edge of the Arctic

Seawalls Murals | Treaty 5

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.

Northern lights over the trees near Churchill, Manitoba

The northern lights can be experienced in Churchill up to 300 nights a year.

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.

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.

Mural of northern lights overlaid with a persons face and a beluga whale, painted on the side of a building in Churchill.
Explore Churchill Pass
Uncover Churchill's Hidden Gems
Use our free mobile pass to mix and match any of the stops for your own self-guided town tour. Earn a digital certificate when you check-in at 15 locations!
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.

A polar bear wandering standing in front of a full tour buggy on the snowy tundra.

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

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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.

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Did you know you can see polar bears in the summer too?