Location: Churchill, Manitoba (Hudson Bay) Canada
Beluga Whale and summer Polar Bear Expedition
‘Beluga-Boarding’ with beluga whales and exploring Canada’s arctic tundra
Big Fish Expeditions Beluga Whale Adventure
Join us in Hudson Bay to see the world’s most loved white whales. Each summer when the pack ice breaks up, up to 60,000 beluga whales move into the aquamarine waters of Hudson Bay to feed, socialize and breed. Come and enjoy close-up encounters with one of nature’s iconic species and explore Canada’s rugged tundra that is home to polar bears, arctic foxes and many migrating bird species.
What is ‘Beluga-Boarding’
Beluga-Boarding is a fun way to get extremely close to belugas and see them underwater without having to snorkel. Guests lay on a platform at water level with their heads and/or cameras under the water. The platform is then towed behind a zodiac. Belugas are extremely curious animals so they often follow the platforms and swim right up to the thrilled participants.
Why Come with Big Fish Expeditions?
BFE trip leader Andy Murch first visited Churchill in 1998. Over the years, he has accumulated a wealth of local knowledge and developed a deep passion for the belugas, polar bears and all other wildlife that inhabit this remote region of the sub-arctic.
Andy is the only global expedition company owner to receive a Manitoba Guiding License that permits him to take small groups out onto the tundra to enjoy the full range of experiences that Hudson Bay has to offer.
An accomplished, award winning photographer, Andy’s beluga images have appeared in Canadian Geographic and countless other books and magazines around the world. In 2022, one of his beluga images was made into a Canadian postage stamp. He is always happy to offer advice to his guests on the best way to capture images of Churchill’s exotic flora and fauna.
THE ENCOUNTER
Beluga-Boarding with beluga whales and exploring Canada’s arctic tundra
2025
DATES
July 26-August 1 FULL
August 1-7 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
August 7-13 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$4,450 + 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST) per person double occupancy
$5,950 + 5% GST per person single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2026
DATES
July 25-31 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$4,995 + 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST) per person double occupancy
$6,495 + 5% GST per person single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2027
DATES
July 24-30 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA + 5% Goods & Services Tax (GST) per person double occupancy
$TBA + 5% GST per person single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Polar Inn, Churchill
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
No experience required
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
- 2 piece 7mm wetsuit or a drysuit for aqua-gliding with the beluga whales.
- Mask, snorkel and a neoprene hood and booties.
- Warm clothing for exploring the tundra. Summers are generally warm and sunny but can become cold if it is overcast.
- Telephoto lens for possible polar bear sightings and capturing other topside wildlife near the shore.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Four mornings beluga boarding in Hudson Bay with a knowledgeable and dedicated Captain.
- One day of kayaking with belugas in the Churchill River Estuary.
- Afternoon Tundra Tours looking for polar bears, arctic foxes, caribou and other arctic wildlife.
- Armed guide during all tundra tours.
- Night excursions on the tundra to view the magical Aurora Borealis (solar activity permitting).
- Six nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Churchill on beautiful Hudson Bay.
NOT INCLUDED
- Wetsuits, masks, snorkel, neoprene gloves and hood (all equipment can be rented)
- Flights from Winnipeg
- Lunch and dinner
HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY
https://www.calmair.com/
Calm Air flies on most days between Winnipeg and Churchill. Space on flights is limited so book early!
Via Rail Winnipeg-Churchill For those guests with time to spare, two-day trains make the epic trek north through Canada’s vast northern wilderness. Train may not be working.
ITINERARY AND DAILY SCHEDULE
| Day 1 | Arrive, Check into the lodge and explore the small but lively town of Churchill. Once everyone has arrived, we will take a quick run out to Cape Merry to watch the belugas heading in and out of the Churchill River. |
| Days 2-5 | Mornings: After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we will don drysuits or wetsuits (available for rent) and venture into Hudson Bay aboard purpose built zodiacs. When we locate the whales (it doesn’t take long), we will take turns Beluga-Boarding behind the zodiac with friendly pods of belugas at close quarters.
Afternoons: After warming up back at the hotel and grabbing a bite to eat, we’ll jump in our six seater van and head out for a drive through the tundra to spot wildlife such as polar bears, foxes and other arctic species. After Dark: On nights with high Solar activity, we will head out of town to a picturesque area with no light pollution to enjoy and photograph the world famous Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). |
| Day 6 | Kayaking Tour with hundreds of belugas in the Churchill River Estuary. |
| Day 7 | Fly out or take the overnight train back to Winnipeg. |
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Photo © Andy Murch
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Delivering world-class wildlife encounters since 2010
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last three decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
