Churchill is known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World. This small and remote seaside town and ecotourism destination in Arctic Canada hosts a great amount of polar bears during the autumn months that have become a popular tourism attraction. In addition to polar bear tours, Churchill also offers nice whale and birdwatching, fishing and kayaking during the summer, as well as the Northern Lights during the winter, and hosts an interesting Inuit Museum and a couple of historical forts.
Churchill is located on the western shore of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. This remote and small port town is situated at the meeting point of boreal forests and Arctic tundra. Originally inhabited by nomadic Arctic people, first Europeans arrived to the area in the 1600s. Founded by Hudson Bay Company in 1717 as a fur trading post, Churchill became an important port after the railroad from Winnipeg was completed in 1929. Inhabited by both European and Aboriginal people such as the Cree, Chipewyan and Inuit, Churchill is the only major port along the Arctic coast of Canada, as well as a popular ecotourism destination and a center for Arctic research.
Fishing in Churchill is excellent with several operators arranging fishing tours in the area. During the long and dark winter months, Churchill is a perfect destination for those seeking solitude or wanting to see the Northern Lights. They can also be seen at night during August. You can visit the charming Eskimo Museum of Churchill or the remote and large Wapusk National Park to learn about the ecology of the area. Visit also the National Historic Sites of Fort Prince of Wales or York Factory, or see the views from the old battery at Cape Merry.
Churchill is located on the western shore of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. This remote and small port town is situated at the meeting point of boreal forests and Arctic tundra. Originally inhabited by nomadic Arctic people, first Europeans arrived to the area in the 1600s. Founded by Hudson Bay Company in 1717 as a fur trading post, Churchill became an important port after the railroad from Winnipeg was completed in 1929. Inhabited by both European and Aboriginal people such as the Cree, Chipewyan and Inuit, Churchill is the only major port along the Arctic coast of Canada, as well as a popular ecotourism destination and a center for Arctic research.
Sights and activities in Churchill: polar bears, bird & whale watching and fishing
Wildlife is the main attraction of Churchill. Polar bears that congregate near the town especially during October and early November are the most interesting of the animals around. Polar bear tours in Churchill by specially modified buses are arranged by local tour operators. Whale watching in Churchill is a popular attraction during the summer, when Beluga whales arrive to Churchill River estuary to born their calves. Kayaking and bird watching in Churchill are also popular during the short spring and summer with more than 270 bird species seen in the region.Fishing in Churchill is excellent with several operators arranging fishing tours in the area. During the long and dark winter months, Churchill is a perfect destination for those seeking solitude or wanting to see the Northern Lights. They can also be seen at night during August. You can visit the charming Eskimo Museum of Churchill or the remote and large Wapusk National Park to learn about the ecology of the area. Visit also the National Historic Sites of Fort Prince of Wales or York Factory, or see the views from the old battery at Cape Merry.
Churchill travel information and practical tips
Churchill has a harsh Arctic climate with long, cold and snowy winters and short, cool summers.
Photo: Michele Hayslett, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Temperatures of below -30 degrees Celsius are not uncommon during the mid-winter months, while the temperature rarely rises over 20 degrees Celsius during the summer. The rainiest months in Churchill are from July to October. The sea around Churchill is closed by ice 9 months a year.
Traveling to Churchill is possible by air or by rail. The Hudson Bay Railway links Churchill to the city of Winnipeg by a 1.5-day train journey. There is a small airport with daily flights to Churchill from Winnipeg and the more remote Arctic communities, as well as charter flights from Calgary and Edmonton during the polar bear season in autumn. There are no roads to Churchill from elsewhere in Canada. The town is small enough to be explored by foot and there are also several taxis available. Many types of tours and car rental in Churchill are also available.
Basic services. You can find several hotels in Churchill, as well as self-catering inns and lodges. There are also some cafes and restaurants in Churchill, although their meals are not the main thing you should come to Churchill for. Churchill is a small, English-speaking community with no crime to worry about. However, remember that polar bears are extremely dangerous, so you should never wander outside the town by yourself.
