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 Live in Churchill?
Polar Bears – The star attraction. Polar bears gather reliably along the Hudson Bay coast each fall (October–November), waiting for sea ice to form so they can hunt seals. Churchill offers the world’s most accessible opportunity to view them in the wild.
Arctic Foxes – Quick, playful, and opportunistic, these foxes are often seen trotting across the tundra or shadowing polar bears, hoping to scavenge scraps from a kill.
Snowy Owls – Striking white owls that perch on rocks and willows across the tundra. They’re most visible in late fall and winter, when their snowy camouflage makes them a magical sight.
Willow Ptarmigan – Hardy ground-dwelling birds that change plumage with the seasons. In late fall, their feathers whiten, blending seamlessly with snow and making them a fun spotting challenge.
Arctic Hares – Large, white hares adapted to extreme cold. They bound across the tundra in small groups, their size and speed surprising first-time visitors.
Caribou – Rare but unforgettable. Small herds occasionally migrate through the area, reminding travelers that Churchill is part of a vast subarctic ecosystem.
Wolves – Elusive and rarely seen, but sometimes spotted near the treeline. Their presence adds an air of wild mystery to the landscape.
Beluga Whales – A summer highlight (July–August). Thousands gather in the Churchill River estuary, offering boat and kayak tours where visitors can watch—and even hear—them in their natural habitat.
Will I See Polar Bear Cubs or Families in Churchill?
Polar bear families do appear around Churchill, but timing is key. Most cubs are born in December inside snow dens and remain hidden until spring. By late October and early November, however, travelers sometimes see mothers with older cubs along the Hudson Bay coast.
This period offers the best chance to witness unforgettable family moments: a protective mother guiding her cubs across the snow, or youngsters trailing closely behind her. Spotting a polar bear family in the wild is a highlight of any Churchill polar bear tour.
What Makes Churchill Wildlife Unique?
Churchill offers a rare combination of dense wildlife sightings, minimal human presence, and vast Arctic wilderness. The animals here are uniquely adapted to survive one of the harshest environments on Earth. Because of decades of low-impact tourism, species like polar bears and Arctic foxes are surprisingly tolerant of vehicles, allowing exceptional close-up viewing and photography.
Few places in the world allow you to:
Safely observe a wild polar bear from just yards away
Watch a snowy owl hunt naturally on the tundra
Experience the fragile yet resilient ecosystem of the subarctic edge of Hudson Bay
This blend of accessibility and authenticity makes Churchill a global hub for Arctic biodiversity.
Wildlife Encounters By Experience: Rovers, Tundra Lodge & Town Tours
Activity | Wildlife & Highlights |
|---|---|
Polar Rover | Polar bears up close, plus Arctic foxes and willow ptarmigan |
Tundra Lodge | Overnight immersion with polar bears, Arctic hares, and the occasional fox |
Churchill Town Tour | Dog sledding, cultural sites, and local history—along with chances for birdlife and foxes nearby |
What Wildlife Behaviors Should I Watch For?
Polar bear tours in Churchill are about more than just sightings—the behaviors you witness make the experience come alive:
Young males sparring playfully on the snow
Bears digging shallow snow beds to stay insulated
Arctic foxes scavenging behind polar bears
Curious bears approaching rovers for a closer look
Protective mothers nudging cubs across the tundra
These moments often unfold just outside your rover window, bringing the Arctic to life in unforgettable ways.
What Are the Best Ways to Photograph Churchill's Wildlife?
Photographing Arctic wildlife is one of the highlights of a Churchill trip. To capture your best images:
Chase the light: Golden hours (early morning, late afternoon) add warmth and depth.
Anticipate behavior: Learn animal habits so you’re ready when the moment happens.
Use a long lens: A 400mm+ lens helps capture close detail without intrusion.
Get low and steady: Lower angles create intimacy and isolate your subject against the snow.
Be patient: The best moments often reward stillness—let wildlife come to you.
Churchill’s Arctic wildlife offers extraordinary photo opportunities—with the right approach.
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.
