Churchill:
The ‘accessible’ Arctic

People - 850, Polar Bears - 1000, Beluga Whales - 60,000

Discover the Wonders of Churchill, Manitoba

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Churchill, Manitoba. From the majestic polar bears to the mesmerizing northern lights and vibrant local markets, there's something for everyone to enjoy in this unique destination.

Top Attractions

Prince of Wales Fort

Just outside of Churchill, the Prince of Wales Fort was built 250 years ago on the shores of Cape Merry. Designed for the fur trade, this massive installation took the Hudson's Bay Company nearly 40 years to build.

Adapted to its harsh arctic conditions, its unique star shaped bastions, cannon embrasures and thick walls fit the terrain of the cape, making it a must-see Canadian historic site.

Cape Merry Battery

Located at the mouth of the Churchill River, Cape Merry is home to a stone cannon battery that was constructed in 1746 to provide additional protection for the Prince of Wales Fort.

Not only is the site a sight to see, but it's also an excellent location for watching whales, waterfowl and migrating birds, or simply enjoying the panoramic view.

Miss Piggy Plane Wreck

The Miss Piggy Crash Site is the wreckage of a freight plane that, in November 1979, developed engine trouble after takeoff and managed a forced landing among the rocks. Why the plane is called Miss Piggy is something of a mystery but some think it once carried pigs on board and some think it was because it was often carrying excess cargo. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in the crash and today it is not only a landmark but has also appeared in a movie!

Polar Bear Jail

Visit the outside of the Polar Bear Jail which is used to hold bears who have wandered into town. Designed to protect these huge, up-to-1600-pound creatures from unhealthy garbage eating and unwanted contact with humans, this site provides a safe way for both bears and humans to get up close and personal!

Itsanitaq Museum

Itsanitaq Museum has a collection of Inuit carvings and artifacts that are among the finest and oldest in the world dating from Pre-Dorset (1700 B.C.) through Dorset, Thule and modern Inuit times.

MV Ithaca

The rusting hulk of a 250-foot-long merchant vessel remains where she grounded on the shore of Hudson Bay.

Wildlife & Natural Beauty

Churchill isn't just a location; it's an experience of northern wildlife in a land virtually untouched by humans.

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The lion may be the king of the jungle, but the polar bear is the ruler of the arctic. This powerful and mighty creature is a natural wonder, an animal that lives mostly on ice sheets, swims in freezing waters, and can also survive on land.

Beluga Whales in the Churchill area are among the most watched creatures in the world—by scientists and adventurers alike. The uniquely white whales are charming, playful, natural singers, and, despite their immense size, are graceful and beautiful to watch.

Wildlife in the Churchill area is abundant, with many rare and wonderful species to see. Some leave for the winter and some, uniquely equipped to deal with the snowy conditions, remain behind all year.

The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are a wondrous and even mysterious natural phenomenon. These shimmering ribbons of rainbow-coloured light dance across the night sky 300 days a year.

Boreal Gardens Research is Manitoba’s most northern farm. We are an organic greenhouse farm located on farm property located directly on Hudson Bay. All our produce is 100% organically grown using locally produced soil mixed from natural clay, aquatic loam, peat moss (lichen derivative) and organic boreal compost. We strive to provide Lazy Bear Expeditions with a 100% sustainable vegetable, greens, and herb market. Our sustainable produce feeds hundreds each year with wholesome produce grown north of Canada’s tree line here in the Sub-Arctic.

Cultural Experiences

Engage with the community and immerse yourself in hospitality and culture that thrives in harmony with nature.

Arctic Workshops

Immerse in Local Crafts and Traditions

Community Gatherings

Experience Churchill's Warmth and Hospitality

Dog Mushing

Feel an adrenaline rush as you ride in a dog cart pulled by Huskies in the Northern Boreal Forest

Indigenous Storytelling

Hear Indigenous stories and wisdom from a Métis dog musher.

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Weather

Embrace the subarctic climate, ideal for year-round exploration

Accessibility

Weather

Embrace the subarctic climate, ideal for year-round exploration

Amenities

Weather

Embrace the subarctic climate, ideal for year-round exploration

Travel Tips

Weather

Embrace the subarctic climate, ideal for year-round exploration

Our Client’s Experiences

Thanks to all at Lazy Bear Expeditions for this trip of a lifetime!

We returned home today from our magnificent experience with your team of intelligent, humourous, enthusiastic hosts and guides at Lazy Bear Lodge. Everything in our tour was superb! The weather for the Matonabee water tour along the coastal waters of the Churchill River and Hudson Bay was perfect! Belugas galore and 12 amazing polar bears within just a few hours. Our boat captain said it was the best day of the season.

The tundra tour gave us a good sense of the vast terrain - not a bleak and barren vastness, but an intricate variety of vegetation surviving harsh conditions. Plus, the gorgeous rocks and wind blown trees. Tuesday and Wednesday nights were perfect for the Northern Lights, each night's wonder different from the other, with a beautiful rising moon on the 2nd night.WOW!

Our group was such a great mix of people, and we loved being in the Inukshuk group!

As you may recall, this excursion was a surprise for Ray's upcoming birthday. Two days earlier, we will celebrate our wedding anniversary, so clearly this has been a joyful and extraordinary experience to share together!

We send goodwill and many thanks to all at Lazy Bear Expeditions for this trip of a lifetime!

Bear Hugs Galore,

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Jere and Ray Sheldon

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Jere and Ray S., Washington State, USA

Our group was such a great mix of people, and we loved being in the Inukshuk group!

We send goodwill and many thanks to all at Lazy Bear Expeditions for this trip of a lifetime!

Bear Hugs Galore,

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Jere and Ray Sheldon

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I can say that this company—it has been beyond my expectations!

"A lot of these tour companies—adventure tour companies—are a lot of 'fluff'. They do a lot of talk and...personally, all our trips have been good, but they don't meet up with the expectations and the promises you're going to get...and I can say that this company—it has been beyond my expectations. They have fulfilled it, completely."

"We've been fortunate. We've travelled with a lot of different tour companies including Nat Geo—we went with them of several very expensive trips...very good trips...outstanding trips with one of them being Antartica, and we've been with Rhodes Scholar, we've been with Odyssey and several others, but what I want to say is that I think out of all the tours we've been on, this is probably the best run tour we've been on, and I think that speaks to the fact that the staff Is s good as the staff is."

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Gary and Kay Rasor

A Gem in Churchill

Our experience at Lazy Bear Lodge from the moment we were met to board our plane to Churchill was great , Arriving at the airport in Churchill and being met by staff from Lazy Bear went so smoothly . Our overall experience was beyond expectations from the moment we checked in . We stayed on an all inclusive plan, including tours every day for four days and three meals included. The food was excellent , as good as any fine dining menu , great wonderful presentations , the serving staff are so personable . The rooms are small but cozy, with white linens on the bed which give it a more updated look . But it isn’t about the room as you will discover , as we did. The Tour guides work here and are not only friendly but so knowledgeable…On tour we saw great northern lights , beluga whales on a zodiac and polar bears by helicopter and a dog mushing tour. These were the highlights for us. Highly recommend. You won’t be disappointed..

Janice S

This Lodge and Trip is a true gem!

This was an unbelievable trip. Deacon and Eric were very knowledgeable - the staff at the Lodge was accommodating and fantastic. We saw lots of bear activity including mums with cubs, and a couple of highly interactive and engaging bears. Total count was high - perhaps 30 over two days? I travelled with my 82 year old mother and staff were very solicitous.

Did I mention the food? Really good - including local specialties such as Elk (amazing!). Overall highly recommended and I am looking at coming back for Belugas and Bears in the summer! The Dog Sledding was excellent as well.

Ellen E

Fantastic experience…love the family vibe of lodge and friendliness of the staff.

I loved my entire experience in Churchill and a big part of that was staying at Lazy Bear Lodge. All the staff were lovely and a big thank you to Deacon and his family (who own lodge) who were excellent hosts. Deacon was my group’s guide and we had a great time out on the bay with the Belugas and out on the Arctic Crawler™ looking for polar bears (we spotted a mum and her baby).

I think the highlight for me was the coziness of the interior wood decor and the food. The meals were hearty and local. I tried arctic char, elk, and other local delicacies while there and the portions were generous and featured good variety of vegetables. My favourite was the polar bear shaped scones served at breakfast.

Hawaiian Canuck

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