Welcome to the thrilling coronary heart of the Canadian North—Churchill, Manitoba. Renowned because the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, Churchill presents a singular mix of pure wonders and cultural experiences that you just received’t discover wherever else. From polar bear encounters to the majestic aurora borealis portray the nocturnal skies, there are a lot of issues to do in Churchill for the wild at coronary heart. In this complete information, we’ll navigate by means of the highest sights and hidden treasures of Churchill, supplying you with insider tips about how to profit from your go to. Whether you’re wanting to embark on a polar bear safari, kayak amongst beluga whales, or dive into the native tradition Churchill, Manitoba is your gateway to an unforgettable Arctic journey.
Things to do in Churchill Manitoba
We have visited Churchill, Manitoba thrice. It is a unusual small and remoted city in Canada the place no person locks their doorways (automobile or home) in case they encounter a polar bear and wish shelter and the place we’ve seen individuals strolling in shorts at 30 under. Dealing with the weather is a lifestyle right here and getting a style of hearty northern Canadian dwelling makes Churchill Manitoba one of many coolest locations to go to in the world.
Churchill, Manitoba is the polar bear capital of the world. Located straight alongside the Polar Bear Highway, it attracts guests from all corners of the earth in search of the king of the Arctic. It is the premier place on earth to see polar bears in the wild. When you do make your method to Churchill for the final word polar bear expertise, be certain to guide a day or two earlier than or after your safari to try all of the issues to do in Churchill, Manitoba as a result of it should shock you!
1. Take a Polar Bear Safari
There is not any double that the highest factor to do in Churchill is to see the polar bears. While most individuals head out on a tundra car to see polar bears from the security of a tundra buggy, we journey with Churchill Wild, the one firm that takes you out to stroll with polar bears. See extra at Churchill Wild.
Most individuals visiting Churchill guide Tundra buggy excursions from city and this can be a great way to see polar bears. We have had the great fortune to not solely expertise what it’s like on a tundra buggy tour whereas taking Churchill Wild’s Rhinos out in seach or polar bears, however we’ve got additionally been ready to stroll with polar bears.
2. Relax at Seal River Heritage Lodge
We visited Churchill Wild’s Seal River Heritage Lodge in winter to see polar bears in their winter setting. It has one of the best setting on the whole Hudson Bay being the final spot that polar bears wander earlier than heading out onto the Hudson Bay as soon as the waters freeze.
Many guests don’t even have to go away the consolation of the compound as polar bears stroll proper by the lodge stopping by the fences to say hi there earlier than they’re on their method. When the polar bears don’t cease by, we bundle ourselves up to head out on a stroll in search of them. There is nothing extra thrilling than being out in the Arctic questioning what you’ll encounter across the nook. Check out Churchill Wild for Polar Bear Safaris in Churchill Manitoba.
4. Marvel on the Northern Lights
Many individuals make particular journeys to locations like Iceland and Svalbard, Norway, however when visiting Churchill, the northern lights are so frequent in the winter, that you just’ll don’t have any downside seeing them frequently. Even in the summer time, we had northern lights at Nanuk Lodge. (we have been there in late August when days have been a bit shorter in the summer time). If you haven’t seen the Aurora Borealis with your individual eyes, you received’t imagine it while you do. To see colourful lights dancing in the sky is actually a spectacular expertise. Read extra: Best Places To See the Northern Lights in Canada
When touring with Churchill Wild, our guides stored an eye fixed out for Northern lights and alerted us every evening after they have been lively. So you possibly can go to sleep resting assured that you just received’t miss them.
5. Kayak with Beluga Whales
Not solely is Churchill the polar bear capital of the world it’s also the beluga whale capital of the planet! With so many belugas gracing its waters, there are different methods to go whale watching in Churchill to see the Belugas. You can go Stand-up paddleboarding, and take zodiac excursions. Note: snorkeling with beluga whales is now not allowed.
Churchill is positioned straight in the migration route of belugas and annually, 30,000 of the 60,000 beluga whales that migrate by means of the Hudson Bay cease on the mouth of the Churchill River Basin from June to September. They are curious and can bump your boats and play in the wake as you paddle by means of a sea of white bumps in the ocean.
We had the possibility to go kayaking with beluga whales with Sea North Tours and it was one of the vital memorable experiences we’ve ever had in our lives. Check out: Kayaking with Beluga Whales in Churchill
6. Fly Over Wapusk National Park
We have been fortunate to have the opportunity to have a scenic flight over Wapusk National Park whereas flying from Churchill to Nanuk Lodge. If you aren’t staying in a distant Hudson Bay Lodge, it’s your decision to guide a helicopter or scenic flight over this unimaginable National Park. I feel we noticed 23 polar bears strolling alongside the shores of Hudson Bay.
To see this sweeping coast from above is an awe-inspiring sight. During your scenic flight, you’ll additionally see the city of Churchill, the Churchill River, Cape Merry, and Prince of Wales Fort, the Ithaka shipwreck. You can guide helicopter excursions in Churchill.
7. See the Wolves of the Kaskas Coast
Polar bears aren’t the one wildlife to see in Churchill, we met many individuals who’ve visited Churchill many occasions and through this go to have been flying up to the lodge to see the Cloud Wolves of the Kaskas Coast. Making their method to Churchill Wild’s Nanuk Lodge, this Arctic safari not solely contains seeing polar bears, however resident packs of cloud wolves that inhabit the boreal forest. At Nanuk you’ll even have the possibility to spy on moose!
8. Bird Watching
Who would have thought that the Arctic could be so filled with wildlife? It is likely one of the premier locations in Canada to go bird-watching. More than 250 species of birds migrate by means of or nest in Churchill. The greatest time to see birds in Churchill is in the summer time months. But we noticed birds in the winter too. Notable birds to see in Churchill are snowy Owls, hawks, falcons, and tundra swans.
9. Visit The Itsanitaq Museum
One of our favourite issues to do in Churchill indoors was ducking into the Itsanitaq Museum. It has an unimaginable assortment of Inuit carvings courting again to 1700 B.C. If you’re touring Churchill in winter, it’s additionally a great place to get out of the chilly as it’s open year-round. The museum additionally has a present store the place you possibly can choose up a memento.
Visitors to Churchill will get a deep dive into the historical past and artwork of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. The museum not solely showcases an in depth assortment of Inuit artifacts but additionally gives academic insights into the standard existence and non secular beliefs of the Inuit individuals. A go to to the Itsanitaq Museum is a necessary cease for any traveler wanting to perceive the area’s indigenous heritage and its continued affect on up to date tradition. Whether you’re a historical past buff, artwork fanatic, or a curious traveler, the Itsanitaq Museum guarantees a fascinating expertise amidst the backdrop of the rugged and delightful Canadian North.
10. Here Be Bears Jewellery and Gifts
When visiting Churchill be certain to cease into the shops to choose up a memento. I’ve a tremendous greenstone necklace with a whale story that I now put on commonly thanks to my buy in Churchill. We additionally obtained some cleaning soap and mittens. The jewellery, clothes, and crafts up listed here are all hand-crafted with care. We popped into all of the retailers in Churchill together with Wapusk General Store, Here Be Bears Jewellery and Gifts, and the Arctic Trading Company.
11. Visit the Polar Bear Jail
As you understand, Churchill is the polar bear capital of the world, and residents have discovered to dwell with polar bears strolling by means of city frequently. While many stroll proper on by means of to proceed on to the ocean, (with the one proof of them being there are contemporary paw prints in the morning) some polar bears determine to keep and turn into a risk.
12. Keep an Eye Out for The Polar Bear Hotline
Years in the past, they used to shoot bears that got here into city, however now they’ve a polar bear hotline the place if somebody spots a polar bear, they name a hotline. It is the time to strive to scare the bear away from city which normally works.
If it doesn’t, the bear is tranquilized and put right into a polar bear holding facility often called the world’s solely polar bear jail. Instead of killing the bears that wander into city, they’re caught and held for up to 30 days (to deter them from ever coming again). They are then tranquilized and carried distant normally when the ice has shaped on the Hudson Bay the place they’re launched again into the wild in time for the ice hunt.
13. Churchill Wall Murals
We took a guided tour by means of the city the place we noticed a few of the 18 murals spanning 30 km alongside the Hudson Bay Coast. The murals depict the hardships and lifetime of a northern city to educate and encourage to shield the oceans. The colours make for stunning shows scattered all through the city.
14. Say Hi to the Parks Canada Staff
Located in Churchill’s VIA Rail Station, The Parks Canada Visitor Centre homes displays concerning the historical past of the world’s land and other people. The Hudson Bay Company performed an enormous position in growing the world and the centre shows weapons and equipment utilized by fur merchants.
15. Churchill Northern Studies Centre
We took a drive by the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. We didn’t go it, however you possibly can. The Churchill Northern Studies Centre is a non-profit analysis station providing nature research excursions of the sub-arctic. This facility presents University credit and programs, however you possibly can guide facility excursions too.
16. The Churchill Rocket Research Range
Who would have thought that Churchill had a rocket launcher? The facility was began by the American Space Agency in 1957-1958. We didn’t go to this, however when doing analysis for issues to see in Churchill, I came upon about it and wished that I had gone! It was designated a National Heritage Site in 1988 as a result of because it was Canada’s foremost higher ambiance analysis middle.
17. Miss Piggy Plane Wreck
One of the quirkiest locations to go to in Churchill is the Miss Piggy Plane Wreck. The Curtiss C-46 twin-prop cargo plane owned by Lamb Airways Ltd obtained its identify of Miss Piggy as a result of cargo planes have been usually overloaded when flying into Churchill. It crashed simply after takeoff on November 13, 1979, after growing engine bother. It been resting in its place on the sting of a cliff ever since. Today it’s coated in graffiti and is likely one of the hottest issues to do in Churchill.
18. Go Dogsledding
There is little doubt that canines have performed an enormous position in shaping the north. We have had the possibility to go dogsledding on quite a few events and whereas visiting Churchill, we stopped at Churchill River Mushing to meet their cute canines. You can guide canine sledding excursions by means of the northern boreal wilderness in winter.
Dog carting
If you’re visiting in the summer time months, by no means worry, you possibly can go canine carting by means of the boreal forest too! If you don’t need to do a tour, they may also allow you to go to the canines. That is what we did throughout our journey to Churchill as we have been just a little quick on time and didn’t need to do one thing we had already achieved. But in case you have by no means gone dogsledding earlier than, do it in Churchill the place canines have been made for this climate.
19. MV Ithica Shipwreck
Another wreck to see in Churchill is the Mv Ithica Shipwreck. Located 19 km (12 miles) east of Churchill, this 1922 steamship ran aground in 1960. The 80-meter lengthy wreck has been sitting off the coast ever since. At low tide, it’s fully freed from water and you’ll take a tour out to see it. Note: It is simply too harmful to go inside and maintain an eye fixed out for polar bears if mountain climbing out. Or higher but, rent a information who is aware of what they’re doing.
20. Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site
I can solely think about what it was like to construct the Prince of Wales Fort constructed 250 years in the past in the tough parts of Canada’s north. Located on the remoted and unforgiving coast of the Hudson Bay, the distant outpost is a nationwide historic web site. It was constructed as an outpost by the Hudson Bay Company throughout the fur commerce of 1731 – 1771. Sloop Cove and Cave Merry joined the nationwide historic designation in 1933. The Prince of Wales Fort performed a key position in gaining management of the territory from the French.
21. Cape Merry National Historic Site
As we mentioned above, Cape Merry was added to the National Historic Designation due to its strategic location and is an efficient place to head out for panoramic views of Hudson Bay, the Prince of Wales National Historic Site, and the Churchill River. Named after the Deputy Governor of the Hudson Bay Company, John Merry, Cape Merry homes a stone battery, a Commemorative cairn, and a cannon courting again to the 1700s. It is right here that Beluga Whales migrate by means of Churchill, so that you’ll even have the opportunity to see them from the shore.
22. Spy on Arctic Foxes
Before we transfer on to extra issues to do in Churchill, we will’t overlook different spectacular arctic wildlife. I do know it doesn’t appear as thrilling as polar bears, however belief me, seeing a white Arctic fox frolicking in the snow is likely one of the cutest stuff you’ll ever see in your life.
We additionally beloved seeing pink foxes play. They appeared to tease the polar bears as in the event that they have been saying “just try to catch me if you can!”
The Arctic fox is so prevalent in the Churchill space, that once we have been visiting Seal River Lodge, National Geographic was there filming them for weeks at a time!
23. Black Bears
Nanuk Lodge is Churchill Wild’s most distant lodge positioned in the guts of Canada’s Boreal Forest on one facet and the Arctic waters of Hudson Bay on the opposite, this can be a lodge that’s greatest for seeing an array of wildlife. Book your Polar Bear Trip with Churchill Wild right here.
But the Arctic fox isn’t the one wildlife we noticed in Churchill Wild’s lodges, we noticed Arctic Hare, black bears, a wolf, seals and moose. It is Canada’s safari capital. Read: Adorable Tundra Animals – The Canadian Arctic Comes to Life
24. Walk with Polar Bears in Summer
What units this polar bear safari aside is that when our guides spot a polar bear from our tundra car (referred to as a rhino) all of us get out from the security of the car begin strolling. It is essentially the most unimaginable feeling to see a polar bear up shut in {the summertime} because it basks in the solar munching on blueberries.
We noticed a number of polar bears throughout our time at Nanuk Lodge, however one second was really particular when a mama polar bear allowed us the privilege of watching her deal with her cub as they performed in the surf. If she didn’t need us there, she’d both go away or stand her floor. While we sat in silence witnessing this magnificence, she was content material to give us a glimpse into her life.
sick throughout this era is a should for anybody wanting to marvel at these kings of the Arctic in their pure setting. Remember to guide your excursions early, as this peak season attracts guests from across the globe, all converging on this small city for an unforgettable encounter with Churchill’s most well-known inhabitants.
The greatest time to see Polar Bears in Churchill
The greatest time to witness the majestic Churchill polar bears in their pure habitat is throughout the fall months, notably in October and November. This is when these magnificent creatures begin their migration in direction of the shores of Hudson Bay, ready for the ice to kind to allow them to start their annual seal hunt. However, we’ve got had wonderful encounters in August when mothers and cubs are stress-free on the shores of Hudson Bay. It is a singular expertise to see the distinction of polar bears white coats with the inexperienced tundra panorama.
We visited each in August, October, and November. In July and August, it is best to go to a distant lodge. We visited Nanuk Lodge with Churchill Wild and it really was a spectacular expertise strolling with polar bears.
Where to Eat in Churchill
Churchill had a shocking choice of eating places that we had the possibility to pattern throughout our two journeys up north.
Ptarmigan on the Tundra – Tundra Pub – presents domestically sourced meals from Arctic Char to Elk, they usually have a vegetarian burger on the menu too. This has a soothing pub ambiance. Lazy Bear Cafe – Lazy Bear Café is an efficient place to pattern meals indigenous to the areas, the place they use domestically sourced elements corresponding to Arctic char, wild berries, bison, and elk. Seaport Hotel – There are a couple of choices on the Seaport Hotel together with the Dark Side Sports Bar, Captain’s Cove Lounge for dwell music and the Reef Restaurant and Coffee Shop. Dancing Bear –
Where to Stay in Churchill
We didn’t keep in Churchill as we stayed at native lodges with Churchill Wild. Churchill Wild has three lodges on Hudson Bay all with their very own distinctive experiences. Nanuk Lodge, Seal River Heritage Lodge, and Diamond Lake Lodge. But if you’re touring independently, there are B&Bs and motels in Churchill. Here are a couple of to select from.
Seaport Hotel – Good base for Churchill with on web site eating places and bars. Check charges and availability on TripAdvisor Iceberg Inn – Closest resort to the practice station with reasonably priced easy and clear rooms. Check charges and availability on TripAdvisor Churchill B&B – A personal B&B located just a little away from the downtown core. Check charges and availability on TripAdvisor Tundra Inn Lodge – In the guts of Churchill with restaurant positioned throughout the road. Check charges and availability on TripAdvisor Check out all Lodges and BnBs in Churchill on TripAdvisor
How to Pack for Churchill Manitoba
We visited Churchill in each the summer time and winter months and packing could be very totally different for each. But the principles stay the identical, pack layers with windproof and waterproof clothes. Here is how we packed. We are going to put collectively a whole packing listing, however to get you began listed here are our suggestions.
Spring, Fall, and Winter in Churchill
We visited Churchill in late fall and it has been totally different every time. Once was under minus 40 with the windchill and one other was hovering round -5 to -10 levels Celsius. When happening a polar bear safari, the clothes shop will test to be sure that your clothes is heat sufficient, if not, you should have to hire a parka, boots, and so on. Heading up to Churchill in the winter months requires heavy-duty winter clothes. Check out 5 Winter Layering Tips to Dress for the Deep Freeze
Churchill Wild Safaris provides Parkas, snowbanks, and boots so all you want to pack are your merino woll base layers, winter hats, balaclava, goggles, mittens and socks.
Parka Insulated Snow pants Winter boots Mittens Glove liners Goggles Winter hat Mereno Wool Base Layer – high and bottoms Thick Wool Socks Mid layer fleece or wool sweaters / pants Sunglasses Hand and Toe Warmers Lip Balm
Summer in Churchill
Even in the summer time months, Churchill will get chilly. Especially at evening. You will need to pack a great windproof outer layer with various levels of mid and base layers. Check out Travel Tips for Winter Packing
Hiking boots Wind and waterproof jacket Wind and waterproof pants to put on over common pants Fleece sweater Long johns / merino wool base layer tuque/hat peak hat or tilly hat bug jacket Short and long-sleeved t-shirts Bug repellent and/or bug jacket Hat and sun shades
How to Get to Churchill
No roads lead to Churchill Manitoba, the one method to get to Churchill Manitoba is by rail or aircraft.
Note: You can now not take pictures on the tarmac of the runway in Churchill. Phones and cameras have to be put away.
Calm Air – We flew Calm Air from Winnipeg to get to Churchill. Make positive to pack your stuff in duffel luggage which can be simply pliable. And there are weight restrictions. We discovered that placing our digital camera gear in our coat pockets and carrying our lenses helped us get by means of the load restrictions at safety. We had our flights booked with our tour operator, Churchill Wild.
Via Rail presents practice service from Winnipeg to Churchill on Sundays and Tuesdays – it takes 48 hours by practice to get to Churchill.
So there you could have it, girls and gents. These are the entire issues to do in Churchill Manitoba together with your polar bear safari and locations to see after or earlier than. It is actually a spectacular vacation spot that is likely one of the remaining frontiers of journey journey. If you’re searching for an attention-grabbing and life-changing journey, contemplate Churchill on your subsequent epic journey.
During the Polar Bear migrations, the city of Churchill, Manitoba, turns into a bustling hub for wildlife lovers keen to catch a glimpse of the bears in the wild. The cooler temperatures and the gathering of bears present an optimum window for viewing, making it an unparalleled expertise for any nature lover. As the world’s premier vacation spot for polar bear sightings, planning a visit to Churchill is an journey you’ll always remember!