Polar Bears in Churchill Photo Tour

Beluga Whales and Polar Bears in Churchill, Canada



New Trip ! Enchanting Beluga Whales Underwater Photography with Polar Bears and Arctic Wildlife!    


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About This Trip

The Arctic Tundra around Churchill, Canada is a beautiful, rugged gem full of amazing wildlife. For many years I have hosted photography workshops in winter to photograph polar bears as they prepare to move to their iced over hunting grounds. This time we will explore Churchill area in the summer. In these warmer months hundreds of beluga whales swim into the freshwater river to feed, mate, and give birth. The warm, shallow water near the coast allows them to feed on arctic char and brook trout.

We take advantage of a unique opportunity to photograph the belugas underwater. Swimming with belugas is no longer allowed, but floating on a mat towed behind a boat while holding our arms and face in the water is an acceptable and sucessful way to get underwater images. Belugas are friendly and swim to photographers and our boats. Close up and fun engagement with the whales is as memorable as the close up underwater images.

We also have the opportunity to see and engage with the belugas from our boat and by using kayaks.

In the summer months the polar bears are in the remote areas around Hudson Bay in their summer habitat. They swim and explore in the rocks, and rest among the wildflowers. 

This trip is limited to 6 guests and you will be accompanied by photography host, Gregory Sweeney.


Key Information
This Trip is in Development and some dates may change 

Where

  1. Churchill
  2. Manitoba, Canada

Participants

  1. Limited to 5 guests

Encounters

  1. Belugas from boats and from in the water on beluga boards, polar bears, fox species, snowy owl, caribou, rugged landscapes, local art murals, ptarmigan, water views, coastline
  2. Photographing bears and other wildlife from vehicles      
  3.  

Trip Dates -

  1. August 1 - 7 2026 (travel to and from may require extra days)

Price

  1. contact me for more details and price, included, etc

Contact Us About Your Interest in this Trip
swim with beluga

Included

  1. 4 boat sessions for belugas (3 hours each) with exprienced captain and crew
  2. Transfers to/from Northern Studies Centre to airport
  3. 5 nights at Northern Studies Centre in shared room, most meals
  4. 1/2 day wildlife drives for polar bears and arctic wildlife 
  5. rental vehicles   for photo drives
  6. Northern Studies Centre membership, tour, photographer mentor and tour leader
  7. Policies Link

Not Included

  1. Airfare to Winnipeg and Churchill
  2. Hotel and Meals in Winnipeg - beginning and end of trip
  3. Alcohol and special beverages
  4. Gear and rented wetsuits
  5. Gratuity,donations, phone & internet charges, laundry

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Travel Planning

  1. The only airline servicing Churchill is Calm Air. There are limited flights especially in summer and guests may have to have extra travel days.
  2. https://www.calmair.com/
  3. Another option is the Rail Winnipeg - Churchill. The train takes 2 days and may not be working on all days.
  4. Rail Canada
  5. Guests should arrange to fly into Winnipeg airport (YWG) on 31 July
  6. The flight to Churchill will on the morning of the 1 August
  7. On August 6th we will take an afternoon flight back to Winnipeg. Due to limited flight choices, departure could be in the afternoon. This day most guests will need to stay in the airport hotel that night. 
  8. Guests can arrange return flights home on 7 August. 
  9.  

Swim with beluga whales Churchill

Itinerary

July 31

  1. Guests arrive in Winnipeg

August 1

  1. Flight to Churchill, first night in hotel

August 2

  1. Boat for belugas 1/2 day / 1/2 day wildlife drive - boat times are determined by the tides

August 3

  1. Boat for belugas 1/2 day / 1/2 day wildlife drive

August 4

  1. Boat for belugas 1/2 day / 1/2 day wildlife drive

August 5

  1. Boat for belugas 1/2 day / 1/2 day wildlife drive

August 6

  1. Depart for Winnipeg - flights limited, departure could be afternoon

August 7

  1. Guests depart for home
CONTACT US NOW


 

More About this Adventure

See beluga whales through the unique experience of "Beluga Boarding". See the whales underwater without having to snorkel. This is the only permitted way to swim with beluga whales/ be in the water with them. A special platform is towed behind our Zodiac boat while it gently drifts on the river. Guests hold their heads and camera underwater. Belugas are very curious and come right up to the platform and participants.



Polar Bears Churchill

Some polar bears stay in the Hudson Bay area and Churchill in the summer. It is possible to see mother and cub pairs. Other Arctic wildlife such as fox and migrating birds are also present.  



swim with beluga whales Churchill

Beluga-Boarding allows guests to get close to beluga and photograph and observe them underwater.  60,000 belugas  come to the Hudson Bay   in summer to feed and breed.




Polar Bears Churchill

There are several species of fox in the Churchill area



snorkel with beluga Churchill

Beluga Whale in Hudson Bay





Phrases

snorkel with whales, whale swim, whale watching, beluga whales, swim with beluga whales, underwater photography, polar bears Churchill, polar bear photography, whale in water interaction, beluga whale trips, swim with beluga whales, beluga boarding





Links

  • Other Underwater Trips

    Scuba and Snorkel trips including whale sharks, sailfish, Sharks, Whales, beluga whales

  • Video Collection

    Trip Reports, swim with whales, underwater video, African safari video on my Youtube Channel

  • Blog

    Underwater photography tips, trip announcements, and more

  • Trip Reports

    Photos and description of our past trips.

About Us

Our photo safaris are for photographers and non photographers who want to get up close to large marine life. All of our trips are to destinations proven to be reliable for great encounters. Gregory Sweeney is on hand to help guests with camera gear and techniques before and during the trips. We have been hosting Shark Scuba trips on the MV Dolphin Dream for 10 years.

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