This Tiny Town in North America Is Known for 300 Nights of Northern Lights—and It Becomes the ‘Beluga Capital of the World’ Every Summer
In summer, around 50,000 beluga whales come to Hudson Bay and Churchill, Manitoba to feed and calve.
Credit: Paul Souders/Getty Images
What does it mean for a destination to have it all? In the far northern part of Manitoba, Canada, it looks like summer visits from beluga whales followed by polar bears awaiting the winter freeze. Plus, views of the Northern Lights most nights of the year.
It all takes place in the tiny town of Churchill, which is home to fewer than 1,000 people. Churchill is nicknamed the "polar bear capital of the world," due to the polar bears that congregate there in October and November while they wait for Hudson Bay to freeze over, but in the summer, Churchill becomes the "beluga capital of the world," drawing stark-white beluga whales who come to the bay to calve and feed.
Of the 50,000 beluga whales that enter Hudson Bay in the summer, around 4,000 continue to the Churchill River estuary, which is adjacent to the town. Beluga whales notoriously like spending time by the shoreline, making it easy for summer visitors to catch a glimpse and confirming Churchill's standing as one of the best places to see the whales in the world.
However, there are ways to get much, much closer.
In Churchill, there are plenty of tour operators that rent out kayaks and paddleboards so visitors can cruise directly alongside the whales. One local lodge even invented a whale viewing method called the "Beluga AquaGlide," where visitors outfitted in snorkel gear can watch for whales below the surface of the water while being pulled behind a boat on floating mats.
"Guests will lie flat and be able to watch the belugas approach. It is perfect for picture taking and experiencing the belugas up close and personal," stated the website. "Gliding over the surface of the water on a floating mat provides an outstanding opportunity to be approached by any of the thousands of curious and friendly whales for a truly unforgettable experience."
The Essential Guide to Churchill, Canada
Summer is also when the birds arrive. In May and June, more than 250 species of Arctic birds nest or pass over the Churchill River estuary.
The town of Churchill is also located below the auroral oval , a region centered around Earth's magnetic poles where auroras most persistently occur. This means that catching the Northern Lights isn't a rarity in Churchill, it's the norm. The aurora borealis can be seen from town up to 300 nights a year with peak aurora viewing season running from January to March.
Reaching Churchill takes a little extra effort. You can fly into Churchill Airport (YYQ) from Winnipeg (YWG) on Calm Air , the sole airline running direct flights, or you can take the scenic Via Rail Canada train, which departs Winnipeg for Churchill every Sunday and Tuesday morning and takes around 48 hours long (or two days and two nights).
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