Know Before You Go: Polar Bear Tours
What wildlife will I see in Churchill?
Churchill is best known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, but it’s also home to a surprising diversity of Arctic wildlife. From Arctic foxes to snowy owls, the tundra ecosystem supports a rich web of life—even in late fall. The chance to see other wildlife in Churchill—especially in its natural setting—is part of what makes the experience so exceptional.
What wildlife is Churchill known for?
Churchill sits at the intersection of tundra, boreal forest and Hudson Bay coastline, making it a haven for wildlife. Depending on the season, visitors may encounter:
Polar bears – seen reliably each fall during polar bear season
Arctic foxes – often spotted following polar bears across the snow
Snowy owls – striking white owls perched along the tundra
Willow ptarmigan – well-camouflaged ground birds that blend into the snow
Arctic hares – large, white hares adapted to the cold
Caribou – rare, but occasionally seen migrating through the area
Wolves – elusive predators occasionally spotted near the treeline
Beluga whales – visible in summer in the Churchill River and Hudson Bay
Will I see polar bear cubs or families?
Polar bear families appear around Churchill in the latter part of the season. While most cubs are born in December and remain in dens until spring, some older cubs may be seen traveling with their mothers in October and November.
Late October to early November offers the best chance to see mothers with older cubs as they begin to arrive along Hudson Bay. Spotting a protective mother guiding her cubs across the snow is a highlight of any Churchill polar bear tour.
Will I see birds and Arctic foxes on a polar bear trip?
Yes. While many Arctic birds migrate south by fall, a few species remain visible during polar bear season in Churchill:
Snowy owls – often seen perched on the tundra or fence posts
Willow ptarmigan – travel in flocks and blend into snowy landscapes
Glaucous and herring gulls – sometimes spotted scavenging
Ravens – intelligent and adaptable year-round residents
Arctic foxes are frequently seen in October and November, especially trailing behind polar bears to scavenge leftovers from seal kills. Their thick winter coats and nimble movements make them a favorite among photographers.
Sidebar: What makes Churchill wildlife unique?
Churchill offers a rare combination of dense wildlife sightings, low human presence and vast wilderness. Animals here are adapted to harsh conditions, making it one of the most extreme environments for viewing wildlife on Earth. Because of decades of low-impact tourism, species like polar bears and Arctic foxes show little fear of vehicles, offering exceptional viewing and photography opportunities. Few places in the world allow you to safely watch a wild polar bear from just yards away or observe a snowy owl hunting in its natural habitat. Churchill is a hub of Arctic biodiversity, where visitors glimpse a fragile, yet resilient, ecosystem at the edge of the sea ice.
Activity | Wildlife & Highlights |
|---|---|
Polar Rover | Polar bears, Arctic fox, willow ptarmigan |
Tundra Lodge Deck | Polar bears, Arctic hare, occasional Arctic fox |
Churchill Town Tour | Dog sledding, cultural landmarks, historic sites |
Sidebar: Wildlife Behaviors to Watch For
During your polar bear adventure, keep an eye out for:
Young male bears sparring on the snow
Bears digging day beds to stay insulated
Arctic foxes scavenging behind the bears
Curious bears approaching rovers for a closer look
Mothers nudging cubs across the tundra
These moments bring Churchill’s wild north to life—often just outside your window.
Sidebar: Wildlife Photography Tips
Churchill’s Arctic wildlife offers extraordinary photo opportunities—with the right approach.
Light is everything – Use golden hours (early morning and late afternoon) to capture soft light on fur and feathers.
Anticipate behavior – Learn your subject’s habits so you’re ready when something happens.
Use a long lens – A 400mm+ lens helps frame skittish animals without disturbing them.
Stay low and steady – Lower angles create intimacy and help isolate subjects from the snow.
Be patient – Many of the best moments come after long stillness. Let wildlife come to you.
Learn More About Churchill Wildlife
Polar Bear
Willow Ptarmigan
Snowy Owl
Arctic Fox
Caribou
Arctic Hare
Red Fox
Ringed Seal
Bearded Seal
Beluga Whale
Polar Bear Trivia
Wildlife Webinars
VIDEO | Polar Bear Country
Can polar bears and people coexist in the "Polar Bear Capital of the World"? Find out what it's like to live with wild bears from the inspiring community members of Churchill, Manitoba, a remote frontier town on the edge of Canada's Hudson Bay. Here hundreds of polar bears gather each fall, waiting for the sea ice to form so they can start hunting seals.
VIDEO | The Churchill Polar Bear Experience
See the "King of the Arctic" in Churchill, Manitoba—the Polar Bear Capital of the World! Each fall, hundreds of polar bears gather along Canada's Hudson Bay, waiting for the sea ice to form and their seal-hunting season to begin. Guided by expert naturalists, our small-group nature adventures get you closer to wild polar bears, in greater comfort and safety, than anywhere else on Earth.
VIDEO | Close Encounters with Churchill’s Polar Bears – A Conservation Travel Experience
Join us on a soul-stirring journey through the realm of the polar bear as we follow the experiences of Nat Hab guests, Expedition Leaders and a WWF scientist on a trip to Churchill, Manitoba—the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Learn how the power of conservation travel can help protect a threatened species like polar bears for generations to come.
WEBINAR | Up Close with Churchill’s Wild Polar Bears
Autumn is almost upon us, and in the tiny town of Churchill, Manitoba, that means one thing: polar bear season! Join Expedition Leader Eleanor Edye to learn what to expect when you travel with Nat Hab to the “accessible Arctic” for the largest congregation of wild polar bears on the planet. Get tips on what to pack to stay warm, plus details about our exclusive itineraries, from traversing the tundra in search of polar bears and other wildlife in our custom Polar Rovers to dog sledding, cultural encounters, helicopter flights and more.
VIDEO | Traveler Experience: Kayaking with Beluga Whales in Churchill
On our Arctic summer adventure, we get the opportunity to kayak at eye-level with beluga whales in the mouth of the Churchill River. Watch the glee on this Nat Hab traveler's face as the curious marine mammals follow closely behind her kayak!
VIDEO | Belugas, Bears & Summer Wildlife of Churchill
Through the perspective of a gratified Nat Hab traveler, get an aerial view of beluga whales swimming in the Churchill River and watch polar bears roaming the rocky shoreline of Hudson Bay.
WEBINAR | The Hidden Lives of Beluga Whales
Beluga whales may surface playfully beside our kayaks in Churchill, Manitoba, each summer, but most of their lives unfold far beyond our view in the remote Arctic. In Part 2 of her beluga series, Expedition Leader Kristina Disney dives deeper into the world of these curious cetaceans, exploring their seasonal migrations, family structures, feeding habits and the marine ecosystem they depend on. She also explains where belugas fit in the Arctic web of life that includes everything from polar bears and narwhals to squid, shrimp and sandworms.
Nat Hab's Churchill Polar Bear Tours
Canada's Premier Polar Bear Adventure
Meet the King of the Arctic! Our flagship polar bear tour is an expertly guided small-group adventure to see the world's largest concentration of polar bears in their wild tundra home on Hudson Bay.
Polar Bear Quest & Helicopter Safari
A total immersion in the world of the polar bear! View bears from our custom Polar Rover, visit a polar bear den, survey the tundra by helicopter, and learn about the history and culture of the Canadian North.
Ultimate Churchill: Tundra Lodge & Town
Stay at our exclusive Tundra Lodge, situated for unparalleled proximity to roving polar bears—then add two nights in the frontier town of Churchill to experience the culture of the Canadian North.
Tundra Lodge Adventure
Watch polar bears around the clock from our private Tundra Lodge, stationed in an area of high bear density. This is arguably the most extraordinary polar bear encounter in the world!
Churchill’s Belugas, Polar Bears & Arctic Wildlife
Meet hundreds of friendly beluga whales up close via Zodiac and kayak, and look for caribou, polar bears, Arctic fox and more on this exhilarating summer adventure in the Canadian subarctic.
Churchill Polar Bear Photo Expedition
Our flagship polar bear photo safari is an exhilarating small-group adventure among the world's largest concentration of polar bears along Hudson Bay, guided by top naturalists who are photography pros.
Tundra Lodge Photo Expedition
The ultimate polar bear photography adventure! Stay at our private lodge in the bears’ domain 24/7 on this immersive Arctic photo safari, led by top photographers who are also expert naturalists.
Beluga Whales & Polar Bears: Churchill Summer Photo Expedition
Photograph hundreds of beluga whales in the Churchill River, take a private helicopter flight for aerial shots of roving polar bears, look for Arctic fox and hare, and capture close-ups of brilliant tundra wildflowers.
