Few of nature's marvels match the intense aliveness of an Arctic summer. The Canadian Northland awakens with a frenzy of energy during long days when the tundra turns green, wildflowers burst into color, animals come forth in great flocks and herds, and belugas return for their summer feasting. What a thrill for nature photographers when more than 3,000 of these amiable white whales congregate in the mouth of the Churchill River—and our motorized rafts and kayaks put us at eye level with them. We also listen to their songs via hydrophone. On the surrounding tundra, get shots of terrestrial wildlife, including Arctic fox and caribou—plus aerial images from a helicopter tour! We frequently spot roving or dozing polar bears, their creamy coats contrasting with the rocky shoreline and dark boreal forest. From the remote village of Churchill, our base on Hudson Bay, join professional photographer guides to capture a flurry of northern summer wonders.
Trip Highlights
Photograph Dozens of Beluga Whales Up Close
More than 3,000 beluga whales enter the Churchill River each summer—come within arm's reach by Zodiac, kayak and floating "beluga board" for underwater shots
Capture Aerial Shots of Polar Bears & Caribou
Get aerial shots of wildlife on a helicopter flight over the tundra and taiga forest as we survey the vast expanse of this roadless wilderness on Hudson Bay
Tundra Photo Safaris & Sled Dog Ride
On foot and by vehicle, search for polar bears, Arctic fox, Arctic hare, snowy owl and ptarmigan, and ride in a dog-pulled cart with a local musher
Why Choose Churchill for Your Arctic Summer Photo Safari?
Churchill may be best known for its autumn polar bear tours. But summer here is a whole different discovery, filled with vibrant wildlife, colorful wildflowers, thousands of beluga whales, and often sightings of polar bears and caribou roaming the tundra. If you're looking for a northern photo safari off the typical track, Churchill delivers. More than one tour operator offers summer trips in the Churchill area. We’re confident ours is a cut above the rest for nature photographers, with elements you won't find elsewhere:
Small Groups for Better Wildlife Photography
With no more than 12 guests, you can expect low-impact wildlife encounters and plenty of personal interaction with our photographer-naturalist Expedition Leader. And we split our small group in half when we travel by Zodiac to see the belugas, for the most intimate encounters.Two Private Zodiac Excursions Among the Whales
We use our own private motorized rafts, chartered from Churchill’s highest-quality and most reliable boat company, to visit belugas in the mouth of the Churchill River—with no more than seven passengers per boat. This ensures clear viewing, easy photography access, and a flexible timetable.Opportunity to Paddle with the Pod
When the tides are right, we offer you a chance to kayak among the belugas—an up-close encounter in silence broken only by the splash of your paddle and the whales' inquisitive interactions as they approach your boat. And if you've never paddled a kayak before, don't worry—it's easy, your Expedition Leader will help you, and our first-time guests rave about the experience!Get Underwater Whale Shots from Floating Mats
An exclusive Nat Hab opportunity! Gear up with a mask, snorkel and your GoPro (or other underwater camera), then float on our flexible, buoyant mats on the Churchill River for true eye-level encounters with belugas, and incredible photo opportunities under the surface!Listen to Belugas by Hydrophone
Belugas are delightfully vocal whales. And while it is thrilling to see them up close, our experience is enhanced by the chance to hear them as well. Most boat excursions don’t offer the opportunity to listen in with hydrophones—but we do!Take a Ride Behind Local Sled Dogs
Just because it's not winter doesn't mean you can't have an authentic sled dog encounter! We meet a local musher to learn all about this historic form of northern transportation and recreation, then take a ride behind his enthusiastic team as they pull us in a wheeled cart.Aurora Photography? The Odds Could Be Good!
Located directly beneath the Van Allen Belt, a band of energy-charged particles that wraps the earth's polar regions, Churchill is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights. Originating in solar flares, these particles are carried by solar wind, becoming trapped in Earth’s magnetic field to create the phenomenon of the northern lights. As days get shorter toward summer's end, our chances increase to witness the aurora in a darkening night sky.Cultural Interactions with Local Residents
Through years of developing close relationships with local people, we are able to offer our guests the exclusive opportunity to meet revered elders of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultures in Churchill. These Indigenous storytellers are some of the last of their generation in their communities, sharing their knowledge of past and present with our travelers.The Finest Naturalist-Photographer Guides
Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for employing the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Churchill Expedition Leaders have been guiding tours in this region for an average of more than 10 years, honing their skills as wildlife photography pros and instructors. And they receive additional training and resources from WWF’s top scientists, ensuring the best interpretive experience available. Expedition Leaders meet each guest in Winnipeg and travel with the group the entire way, sharing their photography tips and techniques, and their natural history knowledge and insight, at every turn. Our philosophy is pretty simple: a nature adventure is only as good as the guide, so we simply must provide the best! See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Superior Arctic Photo Safari
Natural Habitat Adventures offers an exclusive guarantee, clearly stating that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world's leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
