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Manitoba · Canada
On the shore of Hudson Bay, with no road access: polar bears in autumn, thousands of belugas in the estuary in summer, and the aurora borealis in winter.
In the photo: Polar bear on the Hudson Bay coast at Churchill.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Churchill is a small town in northern Manitoba on the west shore of Hudson Bay, where the boreal forest gives way to tundra. There is no road access: you get there by plane or by the train from Winnipeg, a journey of about two days.
The town is known as the world’s polar bear capital. In autumn, generally from October to mid-November, hundreds of bears gather on the coast waiting for the bay to freeze so they can hunt seals on the ice again. At that time, tundra vehicles take visitors on guided tours along the coast. In summer, from July to August, thousands of belugas enter the Churchill River estuary, and boat and kayak tours get close to them. From the end of winter to the start of spring and again at the end of summer, the aurora borealis often appears on clear nights.
The town’s history includes the Dene and Inuit peoples and the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trade, which built the stone Prince of Wales fort there in the 18th century on the opposite side of the river. The Itsanitaq museum houses Inuit carvings and objects.
Bears can enter the town during the season: always follow local instructions and do not walk outside the designated areas.
This destination brings together 1 city: Churchill.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Churchill Airport (YYQ) · 6 km to Churchill
Churchill Airport (YYQ) receives flights from Winnipeg, about 2 hours 45 minutes. The VIA Rail train departs from Winnipeg twice a week and takes about two days. There is no road to Churchill.
The local experience
Stone star-shaped fort built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 18th century on the far side of the Churchill River mouth, reached by boat in summer.
Rocky promontory at the mouth of the Churchill River with an 18th-century cannon battery and views of the beluga estuary and the Prince of Wales fort.
Churchill Museum with a collection of Inuit sculptures in stone, bone and ivory and archaeological and traditional northern life objects.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From October to mid-November for polar bears; from July to August for belugas; February to March and late August to September for the aurora borealis. Winter is long and very cold.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three to five days, with one or two days of guided tours to see the bears or the belugas, depending on the season.
Hotels and guesthouses are in the small town center, near the train station, and are limited in number. In the polar bear season, most availability is sold in packages months in advance.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Generally from October to mid-November, when the bears wait for Hudson Bay to freeze. Tours are conducted in tundra vehicles with guides.
Generally from July to August, when thousands of belugas enter the Churchill River estuary.
By plane from Winnipeg or by the VIA Rail train, a journey of about two days. There is no road.
Yes, especially in the polar bear season, when lodging, flights and tours tend to sell out months ahead.
Manitoba Time, fixed all year: UTC−5.
