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Hudson Bay Helicopters

About Churchill

  • Churchill Wildlife

Polar Bear Tours

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Get the most out of your visit to Churchill. Fly with us and see the polar bears and much more from the safety and comfort of our helicopters.

About Hudson Bay Helicopters

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We are a full service helicopter charter company as well as a first class helicopter sightseeing tour operator. We are located in downtown Churchill.

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Churchill is steeped in a rich history dating back to the 1600s. There’s much more to Churchill than polar bears. Come and visit the historic sites with us.

Contact us to book a flight today!

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17 Oct Polar Bears from Above: Helicopter Tour of Churchill, Manitoba

Peering over the edge of the window, I looked down at white sand and aqua waters. If I didn’t know better, I’d think we were flying through the Caribbean. In reality, that couldn’t have been much further from the truth. Where were we? We were flying over the Canadian tundra…in Churchill, Manitoba . Our one-hour helicopter tour of Churchill was full of one surprise after another, and we absolutely loved every minute of it.

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

The tour started out at our hotel, Polar Inn and Suites. Alex, our helicopter pilot from Custom Helicopters, picked us up in a shuttle and drove us to the departure point at the Churchill airport. Custom Helicopters has offered helicopter charters for quite some time, and they recently added tourism and sightseeing flights into the repertoire.

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

We watched with anticipation as Alex prepped the helicopter for our flight. He loaded a shotgun and other bear safety gear in the rear compartment and casually explained how to open the compartment should anything go wrong. Polar bear safety is definitely taken seriously round these parts.

Once everything was prepared, it was time to board after a brief safety demonstration. Since this was Micah’s first time in a helicopter (my second), we figured he needed to sit in the front seat. We buckled ourselves in, put on our headsets, and it was time to go!

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

With floor to ceiling glass, the front seat was almost entirely made of windows. One of the windows in the door could even be opened, which was perfect for taking photos without glare. It wasn’t until I was looking through Micah’s photos that I realized he even had glass underneath his feet! So cool.

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

Surprisingly, I had great views from the back seat, as well. The window to my left was a giant dome that extended way out past the edge of the helicopter body. It wasn’t until halfway through the ride that I realized just how far the window extended out. I was leaning out the window and kept going farther and farther. I felt as though I was going to fall straight over the edge…that is until my forehead finally bumped into the glass and I remained safely inside the helicopter. In other words: the domed window provided AMAZING views, too.

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

We had an hour flight scheduled and our flight path sent us all over the Churchill region. We flew over the MV Ithaca ship that ran aground in 1960, along the coast of the Hudson Bay, over Cape Churchill, above Wapusk National Park, and then back over the town of Churchill and the Churchill River. It was so interesting to see how diverse the landscape could be from one part of the area to the next. It surprised us to find beaches, trees, and lakes mixed in with the barren landscapes of the tundra that we had always imagined.

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

To top it off, we also had a heyday with our wildlife spotting! We observed numerous birds, 3 caribou, more belugas than we could count…and 9(!) polar bears. This helicopter ride happened to fall on the last full day of our trip to Churchill. Up until this point, we had yet to see a polar bear in person. Seeing so many bears in such a short amount of time, in a helicopter no less, was better than we ever imagined. And, as luck would have it, we also spotted two more polar bears on our Tundra Buggy tour that afternoon!

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

Throughout our trip, people told us that the polar bears don’t like the sound of the helicopters, so they tend to run away when you fly by; however, we did not find this to be the case. Alex told us that pilots are required to stay a certain distance above and away from the polar bears and other wildlife so as to not disturb them. I can’t remember the exact distance that we needed to keep, but Alex was very conscious about not getting too close to the bears.

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

He asked us to keep an eye out for any signs that we were being a nuisance. But, none of the polar bears we spotted even seemed to notice we were there. They just moseyed around, lounged in the water, and relaxed on the beaches. Even still, Alex didn’t want to stay near any specific bear for too long, so we stayed to take a few photos and observe a bit before heading on our way again.

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

We had so much fun on our helicopter tour of Churchill, Manitoba, and Alex was a wonderful pilot and guide. Our flight went by way too fast—we could have stayed up in the sky all day long. We would have to say it was an extremely successful 1st (and 2nd) ride in a helicopter. It’s definitely going to be a hard one to top!

Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

Special thanks t o  Travel Manitoba   and Custom Helicopters for hosting us on this tour. As always, all opinions are our own. 

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Helicopter Tour Churchill Manitoba Canada

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SEE POLAR BEARS ON CHURCHILL MANITOBA HELICOPTER TOURS

Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll

A helicopter flight over Churchill and Hudson Bay was a great introduction to our polar bear trip .

Tour guide, Steve Clubb, drove our group to Hudson Bay Helicopters (phone number: 204-675-2576, address: 294 Kelsey Boulevard). Staff divided us into sub-groups of three-to-five people and assigned us to pilots.

Our pilot was Charles, who wore a toque labeled "Chopper Chuck." After leading us across the tarmac to his Bell Long Ranger III Superior helicopter, he ensured that we were properly buckled in before starting the engines.

Charles showed us how to use the headphones, which had microphones so we could ask him questions and listen to his commentary.

The four helicopters lifted off, one after the other, raising clouds of snow powder around the runners below them. We noted that one of the helicopters had a hook below it to support a sling that carried errant polar bears out of the town of Churchill .

Flying east, we had great views of the VIA Rail trains and tracks, homes, streets, shops and hotels in Churchill. It was mid-November and ice had already formed at least one kilometer (0.6 miles) into western Hudson Bay. Farther out, we observed an icy soup of bergy bits floating in olive-green water.

Much of the Hudson Bay ice was fractured like broken glass. It looked as if some massive hand had crumpled a bag of white potato chips and left them scattered along the coast.

Hudson Bay shipwreck

We flew over the wreck of the M/V Ithaca , located 16 kilometers (10 miles) east of Churchill, on the western tip of Bird Cove. Charles explained that it was a nickel ore-carrying ship that ran aground in the 1960s, during a storm.

"It lost both rudders and its anchor. Locals went out and removed everything of value after the cargo was recovered. The crew survived."

Viewing polar bears

Charles told passengers on the left side to look down. A mother bear and her two cubs were resting beside floating chunks of ice.

"I'm going to turn around now, so folks on the right side of the helicopter can see the bears," he said after everyone on the left had taken their photos.

We spotted another female bear with twin cubs following her nose-to-tail. Mama bear stopped walking and gently nuzzled her cubs before they continued their journey.

Helicopter pilots are very careful not to disturb the polar bears. "If a bear runs or seems disturbed, we avoid them," explained Charles.

"Sometimes we're 60 meters (200 feet) above them and they don't react. Other times, we're 300 meters (1,000 feet) high and they run, so we quickly fly away." The bears below us seemed oblivious to our presence above them.

Tundra tours

The blades of our helicopter made throp , throp sounds as we flew northeast over Cape Churchill Wildlife Management Area toward Fox Island, near Wapusk National Park.

"We're now in Tundra Buggy land," said Charles. We flew over Tundra Buggies and Polar Rovers slowly making their way along snowy trails, so passengers could look for bears.

Near Great White Bear Lodge, Charles pointed out a big male polar bear slowly plodding over the ice. His hair had a yellowish tinge, so it was easy to spot him on the white ice.

Over the radio, another helicopter pilot reported two male bears sparring. From above, they looked like sumo wrestlers pushing their massive bodies against each other.

After ensuring that passengers on both sides of the helicopter saw the bears, Charles said: "Let's fly over the islands off Cape Merry and Prince of Wales' Fort to see if we can find more polar bears."

We saw only a solitary male bear, sitting on his haunches sniffing the air. A fellow participant later showed us photos of moose that he took from a previous helicopter flight over Cape Merry.

Helicopter flights are one-hour-long, but our trip was so interesting that it felt like five minutes.

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helicopter tours churchill manitoba

Ultimate Churchill Adventure

Nat Hab guest boarding helicopter, Churchill, Manitoba.

Trip Highlights

Explore by Polar Rover, Helicopter & Dog Sled

The Best Bear-Viewing Vehicles

Search for the Northern Lights in Comfort

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What Makes Our Ultimate Churchill Trip So Special?

  • The Full Arctic Experience In addition to multiple bear-viewing opportunities, this trip includes an array of activities for in-depth exploration of the nature, culture and history of Churchill. In addition to dog sledding and opportunities to meet local Churchill residents and enjoy presentations on indigenous cultures, we add a helicopter flight over the tundra, a landing to view (and crawl inside!) a vacant polar bear den, and an evening inside heated Aurora Domes to watch for the northern lights, if skies are clear.
  • Exclusive Permits to Access the Best Polar Bear Viewing Area There are just two polar bear tour operators in Churchill that hold permits for the full range of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area where the best—and often only—polar bear viewing happens. Naturally, in our commitment to running the world’s greatest nature journeys, the Natural Habitat/Great White Bear team possesses this critical permit. Operators without it must turn back along the road at Halfway Point, which, as you might guess, is just halfway to the best polar bear viewing area.
  • Polar Rovers: No Better Bear-Viewing Vehicles  The original "tundra buggy" designed for polar bear viewing was invented in the 1980s. Since then, our partner in Manitoba, a world-renowned specialty vehicle designer, has substantially improved upon the concept by creating the world's most comfortable tundra vehicle—the Polar Rover—which we operate exclusively in Churchill. Its innovative drive train allows us to traverse the tundra with virtually no chance of a breakdown. With an advanced suspension system that smooths the ride, and onboard flush toilets (rather than smelly drop buckets), our guests enjoy the highest level of comfort and safety. 
  • Steel-Mesh Observation Platform for Close-Up Viewing Every Polar Rover has an elevated outdoor rear observation platform, with a feature we pioneered for optimal bear viewing—a grated steel-mesh floor that allow us to witness—sometimes mere inches away—curious bears that occasionally wander beneath our vehicles!
  • The Smallest Groups for the Best Nature Experience An essential element of our nature expeditions is a small group. While it costs us more to operate trips with fewer travelers, the experience is far superior, and that's why we insist on it. By limiting our Ultimate Churchill group to a maximum 15 guests (even though our Polar Rovers can hold well over 30), we ensure that everyone gets a window seat and plenty of room to spread out, angle for photos and enjoy a personal experience with the polar bears without too much intrusion from other guests.
  • Private Chartered Flights Give Us More Time with the Bears So we don't waste precious time coordinating with airline schedules or navigating long lines through airport security, we charter our own private aircraft, flying directly from Winnipeg to Churchill at a time most convenient for us. We’d rather maximize your time on the tundra, instead of sitting around airports.
  • We Provide Heavy Parkas & Winter Boots for Your Use No need to go spend a lot of money buying heavy outdoor gear you may use just once—we provide Arctic-style parkas and heavy-duty winter boots for your use in Churchill, at no cost.
  • The Finest Naturalist Guides on the Planet Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Expedition Leaders have been guiding tours in Churchill for an average of 10-plus years, and they receive additional training resources from WWF’s top scientists. This means that our guests enjoy the best interpretive experience available! Expedition Leaders meet each guest in Winnipeg and travel with the group the entire way, sharing their wealth of knowledge at every turn. Our philosophy is simple: a nature adventure is only as good as the guide, so we simply must provide the best! See Expedition Leader bios   with traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.
  • Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Ultimate Polar Bear Experience Natural Habitat Adventures offers an exclusive guarantee, clearly stating that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.
  • Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.

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A Complete Guide To Churchill Manitoba: Polar Bears, Belugas, and More!

Churchill Manitoba Guide

Our Churchill Manitoba guide will help you navigate the world’s best destination for experiencing polar bears, beluga whales, and northern lights.

Churchill Manitoba Guide

Churchill Manitoba is as close to a frontier town as you can find in Canada. This Northern Manitoba community still runs on squatters’ rights for most of its land claims. And there is a cast of characters in the town that would make it worthy of an HBO series. But it’s not the amazing and unique locals that have made Churchill Manitoba such a premiere destination in Canada’s north. Instead, it’s the unique combination of natural wonders that have led countless people to flock here each year. I’ve written this Churchill Manitoba guide to help those who make the journey up to this unforgettable town.

Churchill sits WAY at the top of Manitoba on the shores of the famous Hudson Bay. In fact, it is bordering the brand new Canadian territory of Nunavut. Churchill is one of the furthest destinations north that we’ve traveled within Canada with the exception of our visit to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories .

The town is home to Polar Bears , Beluga Whales, and is also one of the best places in Canada to see the Northern Lights. Not only is it home to one of the best national parks in Canada , but this triple threat of attractions has made Churchill a crown jewel for adventure seekers and wildlife lovers from around the world . It’s such an important destination that visitors are often fighting for the limited number of Churchill hotels with companies like National Geographic and the BBC.

Walking polar bear in Churchill Manitoba

Churchill Manitoba Guide: What You Need To Know Before Visiting

Table of Contents

The town of Churchill is small. Especially when compared to the provincial capital of Winnipeg . With a year-round population of under 900 people, it’s a wonder that Churchill can swell to accommodate the influx of visitors hoping to get a glimpse of the big three. Yet several decades of tourism have helped the resilient northerners to accommodate and thrive. Marketing for Churchill has picked up at a feverish pace as well.

The city is now touted as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Whale Capital of the World, and one of the best places to experience the sub-Arctic tundra AND the Northern Lights. It’s almost too much to take in for a city of 900. But this guide to Churchill Manitoba will help you along the way. Any way that you swing it, Churchill is high on the list for having the best wildlife encounters in Canada .

This northern city is very unique. I wrote this Churchill Manitoba guide to help visitors navigate some of the intricacies that make the Polar Bear capital of the world such a special place. For the purpose of this Churchill Manitoba guide, I’m going to assume that you are staying at a hotel in Churchill Manitoba, or are on a Churchill Manitoba excursion and aren’t packaged in one of the high-end wilderness lodges that take care of many of these details for you.

How To Get To Churchill Manitoba

The first step in your Churchill do-it-yourself itinerary will be figuring out the best way to get to Churchill Manitoba. Although Churchill is a popular destination, there are no roads that lead here. The only options for travel to Churchill Manitoba are via air and train. Air travel to Churchill is run by Calm Air .

This small Manitoba airline runs flights from Winnipeg and Thompson through Churchill and up to Rankin Inlet in Nunavut. Although flights to Churchill might be more expensive than the train, these flights usually only take about two and a half hours from Winnipeg.

The other option for Churchill travel is to take the Via train north from either Winnipeg, Thompson, or Gillam Manitoba. The train runs twice weekly on Sundays and Tuesdays. The normal departure is 9:00 am, however, there are often delays due to track traffic or maintenance. The train makes a stop in the towns of Thompson (an 8-hour drive north from Winnipeg), and Gillam (a 12-hour drive north from Winnipeg). It’s possible to board the train in these cities at a reduced fare than from Winnipeg.

Churchill Manitoba Railyard

What To Pack For Churchill

Weather in Churchill Manitoba can be all over the map. During our visit in August, the temperatures ranged from 7 C (44.6 F) to 28 C (82.4 F). We saw rain, sunshine, fog, and everything in between. This Churchill Manitoba guide won’t recommend packing light.

Bring what you need. You didn’t spend all that money making the trek to northern Manitoba in order to save $25 on a check-in bag. A Churchill Packing guide varies a lot depending on when you’re planning on visiting as well. But whether you’re going in the winter, spring, fall, or summer, here are a few things not to forget:

Boots and Warm Socks: Winter boots are a must in the cold months. In the summer you can often get by with a good pair of hiking boots. Something with a sticky tread. More important though are the socks. Pack a pair of warm, breathable wool or wicking socks  to help keep your feet warm and dry. Expeditions in Churchill can be long and you don’t want wet feet.

Hat, Scarf, and Gloves: Yes you do need these, even during summer in Churchill. They are especially important if you plan to spend time on the water with the Churchill Beluga Whales. Temperatures on the water can be quite cold, and you can get splashed. If you get warm, you can always take them off.

Camera and Binoculars: Contrary to those amazing NatGeo photos that are often posted, seeing the Polar Bears in Churchill means keeping your distance (unless you’re on the Tundra Buggy tour). Make sure to bring a camera with a long zoom lens so that you can snap great photos. This camera has the equivalent of 450mm, which is about as long as you can get without going pro. It also helps to have a pair of binoculars to scope out those bears hidden in the rocky hollows of the bedrock. This model packs up small yet offers great glass.

Guide To Polar Bear Safety In Churchill Manitoba

There’s no beating around this. Safety in Churchill Manitoba isn’t the same as in most places. You do not want to come face to face with a 12 foot tall bear with teeth as long as your hand. Polar Bears can be anywhere in the area. And it’s not rare for Polar Bears to be seen in town, and you may not know that they are there until you’re face to face with them. Here are a few rules to follow to help you stay safe among the Churchill Polar Bears.

  • Be aware of your surroundings. Remember, it’s not the Polar Bear that you can see that is the one you need to be most worried about.
  • Travel in groups and make noise as you walk. Polar Bears will usually avoid you if they can hear you coming.
  • Avoid walking around coastal areas that have poor sightlines such as the bedrock mounds.
  • Stay within reach of vehicles or buildings
  • Take advantage of guided tours to ensure that you’re with people who understand the animals and the terrain.
  • Bears can be found at any time of the day but are most active in the early morning and at night.
  • Never feed or approach Polar Bears in Churchill
  • Avoid walking at night after 10:00

Polar bears in Churchill from a helicopter tour

Guide To Churchill Manitoba Things To Do

It may be a small town of 900 people, but Churchill Manitoba packs a punch. Hundreds of years of history combined with the character of those who choose to live in Manitoba’s far north has led to a wacky, yet amazing assortment of incredible things to do in Churchill Manitoba. If you don’t see it on this Churchill Manitoba guide, it might not exist yet.

SUP or Kayak With Beluga Whales

Besides Polar Bears, Beluga Whales in Churchill Manitoba are one of the town’s biggest draws. And unlike the bears, you can easily get right up close to the white whales of the north. We joined Sea North Tours for a Beluga kayak experience on the mouth of the Churchill River where it empties into Hudson Bay.

It’s amazing to see these playful Beluga whales bump the small boats as they swing by to say hello. The Beluga whales tend to follow kayaks and SUPs from behind, so make sure to look back because they are probably right there saying hello. You can read all about our experience kayaking with Beluga whales in Churchill here .

Manitoba things to do Kayaking with Beluga Whales

Explore The Backcountry On A Tundra Buggy Tour

One of the classic Churchill Manitoba tours is the Churchill Tundra Buggy. These tours operate year-round on massive custom-built frames with crazy off-road tires and suspension that allow them to reach some of the most remote areas of the sub-Arctic tundra. The Churchill Tundra Buggy tour is one of the best ways to experience Polar Bears up close, especially during the bear season when they are at their most active.

We did our Churchill Tundra Buggy tour with Frontiers North . They made the trip fun, exciting and educational for our whole family. The Tundra Buggy tours last for anywhere between 6-8 hours depending on the season. Fall and winter tours tend to be longer than summer tours. During the Frontiers North Tundra Buggy tour, there was a bathroom on board. A lunch of soup, sandwiches, soft drinks, and coffee was also served.

helicopter tours churchill manitoba

Take In The #SeaWallsChurchill Murals

There are nearly as many beautiful murals in Churchill as there are buildings. This is due to the SeaWalls Churchill project that was started by Winnipeg Artist Kal Barteski (who’s Back Alley Arctic designs our son D fell in love while looking for things to do in Winnipeg ) and the PangeaSeed Foundation along with SeaWalls: Artists for Oceans.

It’s worth doing a tour of Churchill to get a glimpse of as many of these beautiful pieces of art as possible. There are many inside the town of Churchill, but many are outside as well. Some of my favorites are the Aurora Belugas near the Churchill Town Complex, the Polar Bear on the Polar Bear Jail, and the black and white designs on the old boy’s residence near the seaport.

SeaWalls Churchill Mural Art guide

Have A Picnic On The Beluga

If you visit the Churchill beach (Yes, Churchill DOES have a beach!) right behind the Town Complex you’ll find the remains of the Beluga. This former fishing boat has been converted to a picnic and climbing structure. There are picnic tables and flat platforms for people to enjoy. The Beluga is one of the best places to catch the sunset in Churchill Manitoba. It also overlooks the beautiful inukshuk that is placed just right for photography lovers.

Churchill Manitoba Guide Beluga Boat

Experience The Frontier At Prince Of Wales Fort

People up north always tend to do things a little differently than those further south. And while most of the Hudson Bay fur trading posts were built up with log walls to keep out trouble, the designers of the Prince of Wales Fort in Churchill Manitoba decided to go big or go home (they ended up doing both). You can learn the whole story on a tour of this Parks Canada National Historic Site.

This sprawling stone fort is lined with cannons pointed in every direction. The interior is still under renovation due to the shifting of the constantly moving sub-arctic earth. Despite the massive amount of work put into the fort, it was eventually overthrown by its French competitors during the battle of Hudson Bay in 1682.

Prince of Wales Fort Guide to Churchill Manitoba

Make A Stop At The Miss Piggy Plane Wreck

There is a longstanding mystery surrounding the Churchill Manitoba plane wreck. A first look at the Miss Piggy cargo plane that sits, abandoned, on the rocks outside of town makes it seem like the plane simply dropped from the sky. And rumors abound about the crew simply hitchhiking to town and being discovered at the local tavern later that day.

Whether it’s reality or one of Churchill’s many amazing stories, only a few people know. But if you ask around, you may find someone who will tell you their version of the story. Either way, a visit out to the Churchill Plane Wreck (which is a nice parallel to the plane wreck in the country of Iceland , one of our other favorite northern travel destinations) is a must.

Miss Piggy Plane Wreck in Churchill Guide

Break Out Of The Polar Bear Jail

As you can imagine, living in a place where Polar Bears outnumber humans can be a little dangerous. A stroll through Churchill will uncover countless signs pointing to where you shouldn’t go lest you risk being made a snack. The bedrock-lined shores of Hudson Bay with countless areas for bears to lie, invisible to human eyes, is a prime example.

On occasion, a Polar Bear gets a little too comfortable around town. When this happens, they are tranquilized and sent to the Churchill Polar Bear Jail. Here the bears wait until the weather cools before being shipped away from the town for them to continue on their journey once the ice freezes. Visitors aren’t allowed inside the jail. But you can check out the Polar Bear traps that are often lined up outside.

Churchill Polar Bear Jail

Hike To The MV Ithaca Shipwreck

Off the coast of Churchill, you can find the remains of the MV Ithaca cargo ship. Like the Miss Piggy plane wreck, no hands were lost when the Ithaca ran aground. The ship is too dangerous to enter. But because of its position in the shallows of Hudson Bay, a low-tide hike to the MV Ithaca is possible. However, Polar Bears are known to hang out in the wreck of the ship. If you want to attempt this hike, hire a local guide who is experienced with both Polar Bears and familiar with the area.

Hike To The MV Ithaca Churchill Manitoba Guide

Go Dog Sledding Or Dog Karting

Dog sledding is a time-honored northern experience. We’ve ridden the trails in Yellowknife and again during our winter adventures in Mont Tremblant Quebec . In Churchill, you can go dog sledding in the winter or dog karting in the summer with Wapusk Adventures . This indigenous-run dog sledding in Churchill tour gives you a chance to get out into the wilderness and feel the wind in your hair.

Hike To The Point At Cape Merry

Cape Merry is another Parks Canada National Historic Site in Churchill Manitoba. This site, which includes a cannon battery and a commemorative plaque is worth a bit of your time. It can be easily accessed from town. The plaque commemorates Jens Munk, the Danish explorer who first landed here in 1619. His ill-fated wintering in Churchill is a great story for those who would underestimate the challenges of life in Canada’s north.

Cape Merry In Churchill Guide Manitoba

Surround Yourself With Beluga Whales From A Zodiac

Perhaps kayaking with Beluga Whales isn’t your thing. But the next best way to see the Beluga Whales in Churchill is by zodiac boat. We joined Sea North Tours for their experience at the mouth of the Churchill River. It wasn’t long before we were completely surrounded by these beautiful white whales. At times there were simply too many Belugas to count swimming in the waters around us.

Kayaking with beluga whales in churchill manitoba

Wander The Ruins Of Ladoon’s Castle

The story of Brian Ladoon is a bit of Churchill legend. This controversial figure is either loved, hated, or a little bit of both by residents of the town. You can read more about him here. He was a man known for his movie star personality and his determination to do whatever he felt like, regardless of the consequences. One of his many projects was his development of a castle-style hotel in Churchill on the Hudson Bay coast. The project was never completed, but the remains of it are often on the minds of many of those who travel to Churchill. You can find Ladoon’s Castle as you leave Churchill toward the Coast Road.

Ladoons Castle Churchill Manitoba things to do

Watch The Northern Lights

Churchill is one of the most popular Northern Lights destinations in Canada. Along with Whitehorse Yukon and Yellowknife Northwest Territories, Churchill northern lights expeditions have become incredibly popular with tourists to Northern Canada. And while the rocky coast of Churchill means that there are plenty of amazing foregrounds for the Aurora, one of the best places to catch the view is by the inukshuk on the beach in Churchill.

Make A Visit To The Churchill Town Complex

Churchill was once a military hub. The military used up a huge portion of the town’s resources. To make amends the government built and maintained a massive community center to help support the town’s population. In fact, they overestimated that, building the Churchill town complex to support a town of at least 5,000 people. The Churchill community center has a pool, ice rink, library, hospital, children’s playgrounds, and a cafeteria.

Polar Bear Slide at the Churchill Town Complex

Take A Helicopter Into Wapusk National Park

Wapusk National Park is one of the most remote and least-visited National Parks in Canada. The only way to access the park is by helicopter or boat, and by snowmobile in the winter. Custom Helicopter Tours in Churchill offer a flyover experience that will allow you to experience a truly unique view of Churchill and the sub-Arctic tundra that surrounds it. During our Churchill helicopter tour, we saw Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, Moose, and Elk along with countless species of birds flying over the beautiful landscape.

Birds Flying over Wapusk National Park in Churchill Manitoba Guide

Explore The Itsanitaq Museum

This wouldn’t be a complete Churchill Manitoba guide without including a visit to the Itsanitaq Museum, formerly called the Churchill Eskimo Museum. This stop is a must-visit for those who travel to the town. The Itsanitaq Museum houses examples of Arctic wildlife including Muskox, Polar Bears, and Walrus. There is also a huge collection of incredible Indigenous and Inuit tools and artwork on display.

Itsanitaq Museum in Churchill things to do

Visit The Northern Studies Centre And Rocket Range

On the outskirts of Churchill, about 10-minutes from the town center is one of the premier northern science centers. The Northern Studies Centre is actually a pretty cool place to visit. You can wander the halls and observe some of the ongoing scientific studies including underwater life. You can also check out the Aurora dome, which guests at the Northern Studies Centre can watch the Northern Lights in Churchill from the warmth of the indoors.

Further into the complex, you can explore (from the outside) what remains of the military rocket testing facility. Churchill Northern Lights offered one of the best places to test how the Aurora affected rockets and communication equipment. You can check out the launch facilities. And you’ll even see a few models of the rockets that used to be fired from the facility.

Northern Studies Centre and Launch Facility Churchill Manitoba Guide

See The Polar Bears Safely

There are some great ways to see the Churchill Polar Bears in Churchill. One of the best ways is to get a Churchill guide to show you around. This will help you get the lay of the land and know which areas the bears like to congregate. You can also rent a car from Tamarack Rentals . The rates here are very reasonable considering the location. But don’t expect shiny new models. The rental cars here have seen some use and are designed more for function than form.

You can often hire local taxi drivers to show you around as well to show you the key sites. Remember, the locals know where the bears like to hang out, so it’s always a good idea to get a tour of the area beforehand if you plan to tour on your own.

Self- guided polar bear tour in Churchill Manitoba

Guide To Churchill: Where To Eat In Churchill Manitoba

Things in Churchill are pretty simple. Don’t expect 5-star dining in the Polar Bear capital of the world. But just because the town isn’t known for luxury doesn’t mean that you aren’t going to find amazing places to eat in Churchill. Expect large servings and hearty, filling dishes when you eat out in Churchill. Here are a few of our favorite Churchill Restaurants.

The Tundra Inn is one of the most popular restaurants in Churchill. The Tundra Inn serves a great selection of traditional and game meat. The restaurant is separated into a local pub and a traditional restaurant. The Elk meatloaf is amazing, as is the Bison stew. Vegetarians won’t be left out in the cold either. Tundra Inn offers some of the best options for veggie lovers.

Where to Eat In Churchill Manitoba Tundra Inn

Seaport Hotel

If you’re looking for the best ribs in town, check out Seaport Hotel. This restaurant has both a cafe-style dining area and a cozier dining-style area, however, the dining area isn’t always open. You can find a great range of comfort food here that will fill your belly and maybe even some leftovers for lunch the next day.

Lazy Bear Cafe

If you are looking for a restaurant with the best ambiance, look no further than the Lazy Bear Cafe. The log-cabin-style interior is beautiful, and the central stone fireplace makes you feel at home. Lazy Bear serves up some great food and is one of the best places to grab a coffee and the only place to get an espresso. On hot days make sure to stop in for one of their signature milkshakes.

Churchill Cafeteria

Food prices in Churchill can be a fair bit higher than those further south. One of the restaurants for those on a budget is the Churchill Cafeteria in the Town Complex. The Churchill Cafeteria varies its menu daily and generally offers simpler fare than some of the other Churchill restaurants. But the cafeteria in Churchill offers one of the best bangs for your buck.

Guide To Churchill Manitoba: Where To Stay

There is no camping in Churchill. So if you make the trip up here you’ll need to stay in one of the Churchill hotels. Luckily there are a few places to stay in Churchill. But you’ll need to book early. Especially during Polar Bear season. The town does not have enough hotel rooms to accommodate the influx of visitors, especially during the Polar Bear season.

Like the restaurants in Churchill, don’t expect the Churchill hotels to be luxurious. You won’t find hot tubs, king-sized beds, or turn-down service. But most hotels in Churchill offer comfortable beds, great staff, and friendly service. Here is my list of the top hotels in Churchill Manitoba.

Iceberg Inn

Located a short walk from the Churchill Train Station and Parks Canada Visitor Centre, the Iceberg Inn is one of the most highly ranked hotels in Churchill. Manitoba. Iceberg Inn is one of the newest hotels in Churchill. All rooms include WiFi, private bathrooms and a fridge. You can check out their rates and availability here .

Churchill B&B

If you’re traveling to Churchill as a family or a small group, the Churchill B&B is one of your best options. Along with twin rooms and double rooms, the Churchill B&B also has a room with 6 beds set in bunk bed style. An American-style breakfast is served every morning and the central location makes getting to all the tours very easy. You can check out their prices and availability here .

Bear Country Inn

The Bear Country Inn is located at the end of town nearest to the Churchill tour centers. The location makes it easy to reach the grocery, beach, and Tundra Buggy tours. All rooms have a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, fridge, and coffee maker. Bear Country Inn also has two accessible rooms for visitors with mobility issues. You can check out their prices and availability here .

Booking.com

Churchill Manitoba Guide: Visiting Churchill With Kids

Churchill isn’t generally marketed as a family-friendly or multigenerational travel destination. But as an adventure travel family , we found Churchill to be an amazing destination. 5-year-old D and 8-year-old C were able to take part in every activity that we wanted them to. The only exception was kayaking with Beluga Whales which had a minimum age of 6 (D was 3 weeks short of that age). But they did allow Christina and D to follow along in one of the safety zodiacs so that he didn’t miss out.

Churchill with Kids Manitoba Guide

I was also impressed by the sheer number of family travel lovers that were in Churchill during our visit. I counted no less than 4 separate families with children ranging from 5 to 12-years-old in Churchill. For a destination as pricey as Churchill, it was incredible to see so many families taking part in one of the best wildlife travel destinations in the world .

Traveling with kids in Churchill does require a little extra planning and care. It’s very important that children don’t wander off out of sight, especially in areas closer to the coast. Always ensure that children are near to a vehicle or building or travel in groups with larger adults. But given a pair of binoculars and a sense of adventure, Churchill can be an absolutely mesmerizing destination for children. It is a true wildlife safari filled with adventure and frontier stories that will inspire them for years.

I hope you’ve got some great tips from this Churchill Manitoba guide. Have you ever visited Churchill Manitoba? Share your experiences in our comments below. Or tag us in your Instagram photo . We would love to share in your travels.

Disclosure: Our Tundra Buggy experience was hosted by Frontiers North . All opinions remain our own. Wandering Wagars is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

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Churchill Manitoba Guide

Thursday 29th of February 2024

Looking to focus on Belugas and maybe the Lights, so it seems to be mid-summer time frame. How is the insect life?

Kevin Wagar

Sunday 3rd of March 2024

In July, mosquitoes and blackflies can be pretty rambunctious. I highly recommend packing strong insect repellent and some mosquito net over gear to protect yourself if you're planning on spending much time outdoors, especially around dusk and dawn.

Carla Castaneda Picayo Barber

Friday 1st of December 2023

Wonderful very informative We, my dream of a life time to see polar bears in the wild Belugas are a major bonus what is a good time to head north. We live in Vieques PR it’s a trek for sure my indigenous blood needs to visit

Monday 11th of December 2023

Hello Carla,

We got VERY lucky by seeing the trifecta of the Aurora, the whales, and the polar bears in late August. The polar bears tend to be at their most present while they wait for the sea ice to form in September/October, while the beluga whales in Churchill tend to be present during the summer months before migrating out to sea in late August.

Debra schmidt

Wednesday 4th of January 2023

Can I get a guide mailed to me at

Thanks for your inquiry. I am an online-only publication, but you should be able to access this information right here from wherever you have internet service.

Anthony S Coby

Wednesday 28th of September 2022

WOW! It looks amazing. Can't wait to visit, hopefully next year, fingers crossed.

Tuesday 2nd of August 2022

Lots of useful information.

Just one question, what is the ideal way to visit the spot in Churchill mentioned here Did you use taxi or rented a car?

Hi Nathan, if you're referring to the area along the coast where the bears tend to wait, we went with a guided tour that we booked in town (we mention those details in the article) and we also rented a truck for a DIY experience.

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The polar bears in Northern Manitoba are one of our province’s largest tourist attractions, bringing in visitors from all over the world. Custom Helicopters is proud to provide helicopter service for sightseeing tours.

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Explore the North and the beauty of Hudson Bay’s coast with Custom Helicopters! Our professional pilots will show you the sights and make your flight with us an unforgettable experience. Our tours are flexible, offering flights ranging in duration from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes. Do you have any particular interests? Let us know when you call to book and we will adjust the flight route to meet your particular needs. Our flights leave from the Churchill Airport in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. We offer a free shuttle for transportation between the airport and the town, which is only a 10-minute drive.

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Churchill has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and mild summers. Weather events and variability throughout the year add to the interesting aspects of visiting Churchill; however, with such variability, air travel can become challenging. Safety is our number-one priority. If the weather is marginal, we might have to cancel or postpone flights. When you book with us, however, we work with you and your schedule and try our best to reschedule your flight for another time or day when the weather improves.

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COMMENTS

  1. Charter and Tour Services

    Fly with us and see the polar bears and much more from the safety and comfort of our helicopters. About Hudson Bay Helicopters. We are a full service helicopter charter company as well as a first class helicopter sightseeing tour operator. We are located in downtown Churchill. About Churchill. Churchill is steeped in a rich history dating back ...

  2. Hudson Bay Helicopters

    Hudson Bay Helicopters, Churchill: See 34 reviews, articles, and 36 photos of Hudson Bay Helicopters, ranked No.14 on Tripadvisor among 14 attractions in Churchill. ... Manitoba. Churchill. Things to do in Churchill. Hudson Bay Helicopters. ... Had a great time on helicopter tour on sunny day from Churchill. We saw a lot of bears and the whole ...

  3. Hudson Bay Helicopters

    Jul 2017. I took a bear viewing ride with Hudson Bay Helicopters on July 26, 2017. The view along the way to Cape Churchill in Wapusk National Park was stunning. But the bear viewing was highly disturbing to me and especially to the bears. All together we saw possibly 5 or 7 bears including mothers with their grown cubs.

  4. Churchill, Manitoba, Helicopter Excursion Reservation Form

    Track migrating caribou, moose, and the mighty polar bear from a rare aerial perspective during our helicopter expedition. This vast land of endless lakes and colorful tundra also reveals intriguing archaeological sites. The reservation form will be available in July for the 2024 Polar Bear season. Please note: The tour includes 60 minutes of ...

  5. Hudson Bay Helicopters

    Tiktok. Hudson Bay Helicopters. 290 Kelsey Blvd. CHURCHILL, MB R0B 0E0. (204) 675-2576 [email protected]. Fax: (204) 675-2331.

  6. HUDSON BAY HELICOPTERS

    On our 1st afternoon in Churchill, we took advantage of the Hudson Bay Helicopters one hour tour to see the local community, the bay and part of Wapusk National Park & our 1st chance to see polar bears. It was an outstanding way to be introduced to the area. Our pilot Gerald, provided the gentlest helicopter ride that we've been on.

  7. THE BEST Churchill Helicopter Tours (with Photos)

    Sep 24, 2022 - Check out the top Churchill helicopter tours. Get ready for take off and soar over Churchill as you take in all the breathtaking scenery below. See reviews and photos of the best helicopter tours and rides in Churchill. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor!

  8. All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

    About. Lazy Bear Expedition is a fully integrated tour company that maximizes local expertise and innovative ideas in all aspects of the tour. We offer a 2 to 6 night tour of Churchill, Manitoba. Find out about our ultimate polar bear tour, the beluga encounters, and the adventures of the arctic. Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.

  9. Polar Bears from Above: Helicopter Tour of Churchill, Manitoba

    The tour started out at our hotel, Polar Inn and Suites. Alex, our helicopter pilot from Custom Helicopters, picked us up in a shuttle and drove us to the departure point at the Churchill airport. Custom Helicopters has offered helicopter charters for quite some time, and they recently added tourism and sightseeing flights into the repertoire.

  10. See Polar Bears

    SEE POLAR BEARS ON CHURCHILL MANITOBA HELICOPTER TOURS. A helicopter flight over Churchill and Hudson Bay was a great introduction to our polar bear trip. Tour guide, Steve Clubb, drove our group to Hudson Bay Helicopters (phone number: 204-675-2576, address: 294 Kelsey Boulevard). Staff divided us into sub-groups of three-to-five people and ...

  11. Churchill Polar Bear Tours

    The Finest Naturalist Guides on the Planet. Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Expedition Leaders have been guiding tours in Churchill for an average of 10-plus years, and they receive additional training resources from WWF's top scientists.

  12. Custom Helicopters

    Just recently finished a visit to Churchill, Canada in search of polar bears. Five of us took a helicopter flight on Custom Helicopter. The experience was perfect!!! Our pilot found a sleuth ( name for a group) of polar bears congregating together out on the ice. It is rare to see a group of eight bears together!

  13. Hudson Bay Helicopters (Churchill)

    Hudson Bay Helicopters, Churchill: See 34 reviews, articles, and 36 photos of Hudson Bay Helicopters, ranked No.14 on Tripadvisor among 14 attractions in Churchill. ... Manitoba. Churchill. Places to visit in Churchill. Hudson Bay Helicopters. ... Had a great time on helicopter tour on sunny day from Churchill. We saw a lot of bears and the ...

  14. Helicopter tour over churchill

    54 reviews. 60 helpful votes. 1. Re: Helicopter tour over churchill. 15 years ago. Save. Check to see if the tour company you're booked with includes it. Ours (Churchill Nature Adventures) does. It's a one hour tour, which the helicopter company quotes at at $500 price tag.

  15. How To See Churchill Polar Bears In The Wild

    Polar bears are the largest land predators on Earth. Males stand up to 3M (9.84 ft) in height and can weigh as much as 450 kg (992 lbs). The best place in the world to see this mighty beast is right here in Canada, in the small town of Churchill Manitoba. Thanks to unparalleled accessibility and the crazy stories of life in this small Manitoba ...

  16. Unique Experiences

    These customized 60- and 90-minute tours are adapted to the animals' migration patterns. During the fall, helicopter tours are a great way to cover a lot of distance for watching polar bears. ... Churchill Town Tours. Churchill is a unique town, built in a unique place. ... Travel Manitoba respects the spirit and intent of Treaties and Treaty ...

  17. A Complete Guide To Churchill Manitoba: Polar Bears, Belugas, and More!

    During our Churchill helicopter tour, we saw Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, Moose, and Elk along with countless species of birds flying over the beautiful landscape. Explore The Itsanitaq Museum This wouldn't be a complete Churchill Manitoba guide without including a visit to the Itsanitaq Museum, formerly called the Churchill Eskimo Museum.

  18. Services

    The polar bears in Northern Manitoba are one of our province's largest tourist attractions, bringing in visitors from all over the world. Custom Helicopters is proud to provide helicopter service for sightseeing tours. Churchill Tourism. Explore the North and the beauty of Hudson Bay's coast with Custom Helicopters!

  19. Custom Helicopters Ltd.

    Custom Helicopters offers a variety of sightseeing opportunities. If Polar Bear tours are your thing, we suggest a flight to Churchill, Manitoba on our sister airline, Calm Air, followed by a charter flight in one of our helicopters to give you a birds-eye view of these magnificent animals.

  20. Golden Boy Helicopter Tour

    Explore Churchill Pass Manitoba Brew Pass Manitoba Flight Pass Manitoba Perogy Trail Manitoba Ski Pass Travel Deals Manitoba Explorer App ... Golden Boy Helicopter Tour. 80 Hangar Line Road; WINNIPEG, MB R3J 3Y7 (204) 982-7240 | [email protected] Alt Phone: ...