When is the best time to experience Churchill’s wildlife?
Seasonal breakdown
October – November
Peak polar bear viewing
Polar bears gather along Hudson Bay waiting for the sea ice to form. You'll see them walking the beaches, playing and interacting with their cubs.
Temperature: between -40 °C and 5 °C. Be prepared for cold – Churchill's winter charm makes it an experience unlike any other.
What to pack: we provide a detailed packing list, and cold-weather gear can be rented.
July – August
Warmer weather, polar bears & whale watching
If cold isn't your thing, summer brings thousands of beluga whales to the Churchill River to socialise, feed and raise their young.
Temperature: 0 °C to 25 °C – perfect for exploring the tundra and cruising the river.
Summer wildlife: besides belugas and polar bears taking a dip on the coast, the tundra comes alive with wildflowers, arctic hares, caribou, foxes and a variety of birds.
No roads lead to Churchill
The journey is part of the adventure. Whether you take a scenic two-day train through the wilds of Manitoba or a flight north, the reward is extraordinary: the ‘Lords of the Arctic’ in their natural habitat.
Remember – our multi-day tours include flights. If you'd rather make your own way, here are the two options.
Via Rail Canada runs from Winnipeg's Union Station to Churchill, departing at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday and Tuesday; the return train leaves Churchill on Thursdays and Saturdays. The journey takes about 48 hours – two days and nights – covering 1,697 km of Manitoba landscape.
Flights run year-round from Winnipeg to Churchill's airport – about two hours. Fall gets busy, so book your seat well in advance.
What to pack for your adventure
October – November
June – August
Expect anything from 25 °C down to 0 °C – pack a variety of layers to stay comfortable throughout the day.
FAQ
Peak polar bear season is October to November, when bears gather along Hudson Bay waiting for the sea ice to form. Bears are also on land from July, so summer visitors can see polar bears and beluga whales together.
No – there are no roads to Churchill. You arrive by plane (about two hours from Winnipeg, year-round) or on Via Rail’s two-day train from Winnipeg. Our multi-day tours include the Winnipeg–Churchill flights.
Expect anything between -40 °C and 5 °C in October and November. We provide a detailed packing list and cold-weather gear can be rented.
Thousands of beluga whales gather in the Churchill River from late June through August to socialise, feed and raise their young. Summer temperatures range from 0 °C to 25 °C.
Get up close with polar bears, marvel at the Northern Lights and experience the breathtaking beauty of the tundra. Your adventure of a lifetime starts here.
