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title: Polar Bears | Travel Canada
url: https://www.travelcanada.co.nz/polar-bears
---

# Polar bears of Churchill. Wildlife on the edge of the Arctic.

Every autumn, polar bears gather along the shore of Hudson Bay near the small town of Churchill, Manitoba, waiting for the sea ice to form so they can head out to hunt seals. For a few weeks it is one of the most reliable places on earth to see polar bears in the wild, and Churchill calls itself the Polar Bear Capital of the World.

## When to go

The polar bear season runs from about early October to late November, with late October and early November usually the best time to see bears. It fits neatly with a New Zealand spring holiday, and pairs well with autumn colours in Eastern Canada or a few days in the Rockies.

## Out on the tundra

Most visitors watch the bears from purpose-built tundra vehicles: large, heated vehicles on big tyres that travel the tundra outside town, with viewing windows, an open-air deck and an on-board washroom. A few remote fly-in lodges offer something rarer: watching bears at ground level from behind the safety of the lodge fence.

## Getting there

There are no roads to Churchill. Most visitors fly from Winnipeg, about two hours north, usually as part of a small-group package that includes flights, accommodation, tundra days and an expert guide. The VIA Rail train from Winnipeg is a slower, two-day alternative for those who love rail travel.

## Northern lights

Churchill sits under the auroral oval, so on clear nights there is a good chance of seeing the northern lights, especially in the deep winter months from January to March.

## Belugas in summer

In July and August, tens of thousands of beluga whales come into the Churchill River estuary to feed and raise their calves. Viewing is by boat, and the summer tundra is carpeted with wildflowers.

## Planned around you

Polar bear trips book out early, often a year or more ahead. Nancy can help you choose the right operator and dates, and fit Churchill into a wider Canada holiday that suits your pace.

## Would you like to see the bears?

[Plan a polar bear trip with Nancy](https://www.travelcanada.co.nz/?journey=Polar%20Bears#enquire)

Or contact Nancy directly:

- Enquiry form: https://www.travelcanada.co.nz/#enquire
- Email: nancy@wanderlusttravelexperts.co.nz
- Phone: 09 57 58 476 or 021 757 440

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