At the heartland of Canada, Manitoba stretches from the southern border with the USA to the northern coast on the Hudson Bay. Manitoba encompasses many unique environments with the plains of the great prairie, wooded parklands, lakes and rivers and the vast tundra.



Churchill

Churchill is located on the south western shores of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the historic Churchill River and is Manitoba’s most northern community. Churchill's history is intertwined with the early days of Canada and the exploration of the arctic. Cree, Dene and Inuit aboriginal cultures come together in this little community and the world famous Eskimo Museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Inuit artefacts and sculpture. Outdoor adventure is readily available with hiking tours, dog sledding, snowmobiling, kayaking, snorkelling and fishing all at hand in Churchill.

While Churchill is internationally known as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, it is truly a year-round wildlife destination. Arctic and boreal species of wildlife, birds and plants can be found along the treeline or the northern edge of the boreal forest. Commonly seen species include arctic and red foxes, arctic hare, caribou, gyrfalcons, snowy owls, ptarmigan and even the occasional lemming. 

From late May and throughout June, over 200 migratory species of birds pass through the Churchill area. The convergence of three natural ecosystems attracts a wide variety of arctic nesters and forest dwelling birds alike, many in spring plumage.

As the ice floes recede on the Churchill River, the first beluga whales of the year appear. Throughout July and August, pods of beluga whales enter the Churchill River with the tide, coming into the estuary to feed, give birth and raise their young, with numbers peaking around 3,000 by mid-summer. When the beluga whales depart, polar bears swim ashore in mid-July and can be seen in the summer. But it is not until Churchill’s ‘bear season’ begins in early October, when sometimes 40 or more polar bears can be seen on a given day.

Aurora Borealis viewing

The Churchill area of Manitoba lies underneath an area of high intensity, high frequency auroral activity, meaning it has some of the best northern lights displays on the planet. By late January, when Hudson Bay has completely frozen over and snowdrifts sculpt the landscape, the short days and long, clear nights are perfect for viewing the purple and green slashes that illuminate the sky almost every night.