Beluga Whale Adventures

Absolutely! While Churchill is famously known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World for its autumn polar bears, its summer transformation is just as spectacular.

There are approximately 55,000 beluga whales in the Western Hudson Bay population of Beluga Whales. This is not only the largest subpopulation of Beluga Whales in the world, but it also accounts for over one-third of the world's entire beluga population. Of that massive population, between 3,000 and 4,000 belugas make their way directly into the Churchill River estuary each summer (July and August).

There is no place on Earth where you can witness this sheer volume of whales in one concentrated area. Even when you look out over the river from a distance in July and August, the surface of the water is often dotted with hundreds of white backs breaching the surface. 

Belugas travel to the Churchill River because its warm, shallow, and sheltered waters provide the perfect environment for them to feed, mate, give birth, and nurture their grey calves.

Known as the "Canaries of the Sea", belugas are incredibly curious, friendly, and social creatures. They are famous for their constant underwater chatter—clicking, whistling, and chirping. As they are so naturally curious, they frequently swim right up to our Zodiacs and kayaks to investigate and playfully say hello!

While the beluga whales are the stars of the Churchill River, the surrounding subarctic landscape completely transforms in the summer, offering an incredible variety of flora and fauna. In fact, many guests are surprised by just how colourful and full of life the Subarctic tundra becomes!

Here is what you can look forward to spotting on a summer adventure:

• The Blooming Tundra: As the snow melts, the landscape explodes with colour. You will see vibrant purple fireweed blanketing the fields, alongside bright yellow alpine arnica, and dense willow shrubbery. As well as the green and orange lichen covering glacier-sculpted boulders.

• Summer Polar Bears: While October and November are the peak months for polar bear viewing, bears do return to land in the summer as the sea ice melts. Guests have a very good chance of spotting them lounging along the rocky shores of Hudson Bay, swimming to cool off, or beautifully contrasting against the greens of coastal grass and sandwort, and sprawling fields of purple fireweed.

• Subarctic Mammals: The Churchill Wildlife Management Area is home to a wide variety of mammals. Keep your eyes peeled for elegant caribou seeking a breezy retreat off the coast, as well as playful arctic and red foxes.

• A Birder's Paradise: Summer is an absolute dream for birdwatchers. Over 200 species of birds migrate to the Churchill area to breed and raise their young. You might spot Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, Snowy Owls, Willow Ptarmigan, Bald Eagles, and Arctic Tern.

For wildlife enthusiasts looking to check off the ultimate Canadian bucket list, we offer a specialized Canada's Big Five Safari adventure. This extended summer itinerary combines the coastal wonders of Churchill with the forested wilderness of Riding Mountain National Park in southern Manitoba. It is specially designed to give you the unparalleled opportunity to spot five of Canada's most iconic animals in a single, unforgettable trip: polar bears, beluga whales, moose, black bears, and bison!

To make sure you get the best possible vantage points of the belugas, we offer a few different types of watercraft experiences during our summer tours. Depending on your specific itinerary, your adventure will include some combination of the following:

• Zodiacs: These industrial inflatable boats are a guest favourite! Zodiacs sit low to the water, putting you right at eye level with the belugas. Because they are smaller and more agile, they allow for a more intimate viewing experience as the curious whales often swim right up to the edge of the boat to investigate.

• Passenger Boat: For a slightly more elevated and stable ride, we also put guests on a larger jet-propelled 32-passenger tour boat (often during our excursions across the river to the historic Prince of Wales Fort). This boat offers a smooth ride, a bit more protection from the elements, and gives photographers stable vantage points with a viewing platform at both the bow (front) and stern (back) of the vessel. Providing the opportunity to look down into the clear water as pods of belugas surround the hull.

• Kayaks: If you are looking for a truly immersive, water-level encounter, many of our itineraries include a beluga kayaking excursion! Whether you are in a single or double kayak, there is nothing quite like the thrill of paddling through the estuary while friendly belugas gently bump your paddle or swim directly beneath you.

• Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUP): For the adventurous traveller, some of our tours offer the option to glide peacefully above the whales on a stand-up paddleboard. Don't worry about the chilly water—top-of-the-line wetsuits are provided!

If kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding are not included in your itinerary, ask our team, as it is often available as an add-on activity.