Polar bears playing in Hudson Bay. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Andreas Meyer-Wernecke photo.
by Maggie Cole
Most people think you can only see Churchill polar bears in the traditional polar bear viewing months of October and November, but you can actually see these great white bears along the Hudson Bay coast from July through to November. We know their secrets.
Can you really experience the thrill of seeing polar bears during the summer months? Absolutely! At Churchill Wild, we offer unique opportunities to see these magnificent creatures up close, in their natural habitat, during the warmer months. Unlike the traditional polar bear viewing season in October and November, our summer polar bear tours and safaris provide a different, equally exciting perspective on these iconic Arctic residents, at ground level.
As warm temperatures and northern winds send vast ice floes towards the southwest end of Hudson Bay, the bears travel with the pack ice. When the ice finally melts, they end up on the bay’s shore with enough fat stores to sustain them through the summer. From wherever they land, the bears roam inland and along hundreds of kilometers of ocean coastline until the ice reforms in the fall.
Basking in gold. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Lynne Fox photo.
Churchill Wild’s ecolodges are strategically located near or along this coastline, making them prime vantage points for summer polar bear viewing. If you were to fly along Hudson Bay’s western coastline from Nunavut, across Manitoba, past Wapusk National Park, beyond the mighty Nelson River, and further past Cape Tatnam Wildlife Management Area to the Ontario border, you’d spot dozens of bears on or near the coastline. Most would be solitary or in small groups of two or three. You’d also fly over thousands of snow geese. But let’s focus on the bears.
The excitement of seeing your first polar bear of the season never fades. During the summer, the bears are often a pristine, just-off-the-ice white, making them even more striking against the green tundra backdrop. Many of our guests consider these summer encounters to be among their most treasured travel memories.
Polar bears cubs crossing a stream at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge on the Hudson Bay Odyssey.
Our summer season kicks off in early July with the Birds, Bears & Belugas safari at Seal River Heritage Lodge, nestled near the Seal River estuary, 60 km north of Churchill. This adventure is followed by the Arctic Discovery in late July at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, situated 250 km southeast of Churchill. As summer progresses, we offer the Hudson Bay Odyssey at Nanuk, starting in mid-August and extending into the vibrant fall. For those who want a comprehensive experience, the Summer Dual Lodge Safari combines the best of both lodges from mid-August to early September.
Summer cuddles. Birds, Bears & Belugas. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Leighton Lum photo.
Take a look at our summer polar bear tours and safaris below and note that you have just as good of a chance to see polar bears in the summer as you do in fall!
Which Summer Safari Suits You Best?
- Duration: 7 nights, 8 days (5 nights at Seal River Heritage Lodge and 2 nights in Winnipeg)
- Activities: Daily treks at Seal River Heritage Lodge for up-close polar bear viewing, Zodiac tours to see beluga whales.
- Common Sightings: Polar bears, beluga whales, Arctic fox, hare, shorebirds, sik-siks.
- Duration: 8 nights, 9 days (2 nights in Churchill, 4 nights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, 2 nights in Winnipeg)
- Activities: Boat and kayak tours to view belugas in Churchill, guided hikes and “tundra rhino” excursions at Nanuk for polar bear viewing.
- Common Sightings: Polar bears, beluga whales, wolves, black bears.
- Duration: 6 nights, 7 days (4 nights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, 2 nights in Winnipeg)
- Activities: Guided hikes and “tundra rhino” excursions at Nanuk for close encounters with polar bears and other wildlife.
- Common Sightings: Polar bears, black bears, wolves, moose, northern lights.
- Duration: 10 nights, 11 days (4 nights at Seal River Heritage Lodge, 4 nights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, 2 nights in Winnipeg)
- Activities: Guided hikes, Zodiac tours at Seal River, “tundra rhino” excursions at Nanuk for diverse wildlife viewing.
- Common Sightings: Polar bears, beluga whales, sik-siks, black bears, moose, wolves, shorebirds, northern lights.
Summer polar bear on the Hudson Bay coast. Michael Poliza photo.
Each of our lodges offers unique experiences tailored to the interests of our global guests. And if you really can’t choose, we offer the Summer Dual Lodge Safari to satisfy our Goldilocks travellers.
For those who prefer milder temperatures, our summer safaris offer the chance to see polar bears lounging in the sun or enjoying a dip in the bay, away from the harsh winter cold. We transport you into the heart of polar bear country to view polar bears at eye level and show you everything Canada’s wild and pristine Hudson Bay coastline has to offer.
The summer polar bear tours and safaris above are filling up quickly. If you’re interested, or have any questions, please email us at info@churchillwild.com or call us Toll Free at 1 (866) UGO-WILD (846-9453).
