An Eco-Tourism Paradise

 Summer is the season for Beluga whales, who love to splash around in Hudson Bay from June to September. There are a number of ways to see these giants of the deep, but be sure to book with an experienced guide as any wildlife encounter can be unpredictable. 

Churchill has always been a favorite destination among birders, but its popularity grew in 1994 with the publication of A Birder’s Guide to Churchill by Bonnie Chartier.   Since then, millions of avid bird watchers have followed in Chartier’s footsteps to catch sight of the area’s Boreal birds which congregate around Goose Creek, where the Paradise Aurora B&B is located.   Over 250 species nest or pass through Churchill during their annual migrations. Early summer is the best time for birding, with many species gathering in late June to early July  for the breeding season. Anything’s possible at this time of year - you might bump into a plodding Snow Goose, see a flock of Tundra Swans, hear the chattering chorus of a grey-cheeked Thrush or glimpse the rosy glow of a red-breasted Pine Grosbeak. 

More commonly known as the Northern Lights, the aurora borealis is an electrifying natural phenomenon that paints the night sky in luminous colors.   Churchill is one of the best places in the world to see this once-in-a-lifetime sight. It can be viewed year-round in Northern Manitoba, depending on weather conditions, but if you really want to guarantee a sighting come in late winter, from November through to March.   Local tour operators offering Northern Lights viewing experiences include:       Discover Churchill Tours      Arctic Aurora Tours     Sub-Arctic Explorers      Beyond Boreal Expeditions     Nanuk Operations      Frontiers North Adventures     Great White Bears Tours      Lazy Bear Expeditions

Ask anyone what they think of when they think of Churchill and there’s a good chance the answer will involve "polar bears". These arctic inhabitants live side-by-side with the human population of Churchill (with certain safeguards of course!).   There are a number of ways to see the bears - you can hop on a tundra buggy or even view them from the water with a Hudson Bay boat tour. Reservations are a must as spots fill up quickly.    Operators include Frontiers North Adventures, Great White Bear Tours, Sub-Arctic Explorers, Lazy Bear Expeditions, Discover Churchill Tours, and Kischikamee Wildlife Adventures.  And don’t forget to stop by the town’s polar bear jail - home to some of Churchill’s most notorious polar predators.    Just kidding...the ‘jail’ is actually a holding facility for bears who venture into the settlement and have to be contained while waiting to be relocated.  Custom-built “tundra vehicles” shepherd visitors (safely) into the path of migrating polar bears for 2 – 3 night tours.  You can sleep at Tundra Buggy Lodge out at Cape Churchill in Wapusk National Park. For this time of year, reservations are a must, as many services quickly become fully booked.   Tour Operators:  

 Frontiers North Adventures https://frontiersnorth.com/  

Great White Bear Tours  https://www.greatwhitebeartours.com/tours/general-tour-information    

Local Tour Operators   

Sub-Arctic Explorers: https://www.subarcticexplorers.ca/

Discover Churchill  http://www.discoverchurchill.com/   

Nanuk Operations http://www.nanukoperations.com/  

Experience the arctic in all its breathtaking beauty with helicopter tours, operated by Hudson Bay Helicopters. https://hudsonbayheli.com/

This helicopter charter company offers 60 or 90 minute aerial tours, with knowledgeable pilots who show you the best of the tundra and its diverse wildlife. 

By paddle board - Sea North Tours and SUP North offer a two-hour paddle boarding beluga whale tour. Sit or stand on your board as crowds of curious whales swim alongside. This is an incredible opportunity to see the Belugas up close in their natural habitat.   By kayak - Sea North Tours also take kayakers up the Churchill River to meet the Beluga whales. This trip is suitable even for novice kayakers and passengers are welcome to double up in a two-person kayak.   By boat - A number of tour companies offer sightseeing by boat for those who aren’t comfortable with the idea of a kayak or paddle board. These include Sub-Arctic Explorers and Custom Churchill Tours.

 Churchill Town Centre Complex houses a health centre, high school, public library, office for local government district, a café and recreation centre.  

A feature of the building is its art work, where the cultures of First Nation, Inuit and white civilizations, all of which have made their impact on Churchill are represented.

Home to some of the world’s oldest Inuit art and artifacts, the Itsanitaq Museum has attracted historians from all over the globe. It’s open year-round but hours vary depending on the season. To find out more or make a reservation (required for large groups), visit their website here.

 You will be able to learn something new visiting this Parks Canada cornerstone attraction in Churchill’s historic train station. There are a variety of programs and exhibits about the human and natural history of the Churchill area: Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site, York Factory National Historic Site and Wapusk National Park. 

The Prince of Wales Fort is a stone fortress at the mouth of the Churchill River. Construction of the massive structure took over 40 years but was finally completed in 1771.   The Fort, which overlooks picturesque Cape Merry, is a Parks Canada National Historic Site.

The town’s polar bear jail is home to some of Churchill’s most notorious polar predators. Just kidding...the ‘jail’ is actually a holding facility for bears who venture into the settlement and have to be contained while waiting to be relocated.

 Dogs have always played an important role in Churchill and Manitoba's history.  They have been critical to the transportation of mail and greatly aided fur traders.  Dog sledding was the most efficient way to travel in the winter months, and is now a labour of love.