When to go to Arctic Canada

Polar night engulfs the Arctic at the turn of the year, with the sun remaining below the horizon, a complete lack of daylight does mean that the Northern Lights are fairly common in January, but due to the lack of other activities available, we strongly recommend searching for the auroras at a different time.

In March, the polar bears begin nosing their way out of their dens for the first time in months, after their winter hibernation. Temperatures are around the -20C mark so appropriate polar clothing is needed at this time.

March is a good time to travel to Arctic Canada for the opportunity to spot newborn polar bear cubs and their mothers venturing out of their dens.

Clear skies and low rainfall means you can view the northern lights and you can even stay for the 2 week event of Aurora Winterfest; the celebration of the northern lights with snow carving, hockey tournaments and dog races.

In early spring, look out for the polar bear mothers and their cubs on the undisturbed and untouched snowy landscapes.

April sees hardly any visitors, offering you the opportunity to exclusively marvel at the polar bears as they explore out on the sea ice.

In the evenings, you can witness the phenomenon of the Northern Lights and captures stunning photographs of the vast landscapes and panoramic views.

May sees the beginning of peak season as temperatures rise, although they remain below or around zero degrees. Despite the low temperatures, the midnight sun can still be powerful as it never dips below the horizon and the days are bright and clear which makes for amazing photographic opportunities.

May is a great time to travel to Arctic Canada and camp out on the floe edge, getting up close with the narwhals, seals and possible belugas whales.

In the northern reaches of Baffin Island, wildlife congregates out on the floe edge where the sea ice meets the open water. Guided by Inuit, it is important to be flexible at this time of year as the weather and ice conditions will determine the day-to-day activities available.

The migration of the narwhals begins in June and if conditions allow, it is possible to snorkel with them off the floe edge. The end of June sees the end of the snow and the flora beginning to blossom, as you head out of the bitingly cold winter, creating a beautiful backdrop to watch the whales.

June can be a popular time to visit Arctic Canada as temperatures are warmer and almost all Arctic wildlife is visible.

The mercury usually begins to creep above 0°C throughout the month with mostly clear, sunny days, ideal for photographic contrasts between the blue skies and white icebergs. Surprisingly there are mosquitoes at this time of year due to the moisture in the air.

July sees over 60,000 beluga whales descending on Hudson Bay and the migration of around 270 species of birds, such as guillemots, fulmars and puffins.

July is a good time to visit Arctic Canada to witness the bird migration or watch the beluga whales.

Photograph polar bears against grassy backdrops as they are out hunting on the shores instead of the pack ice, you are unlikely to see polar bears on snow and ice at this time of year.

The absence of ice makes it possible to sail the historic Northwest Passage at this time of year.

August is a popular time to visit as temperatures are around 10C, but much of the snow and ice will have disappeared as the scenery turns green.

You may be lucky enough to spot the rare musk oxen, with their shaggy coats and inward-facing horns along lake shores and rivers. The polar desert is defined by its low rainfall and cloudless days and due to the lessened moisture levels after the snow and ice have melted, mosquitos and other insects will no longer be around.

A backdrop of oranges and yellows as opposed to the greens of summer and the white snow and ice of the winter months. Temperatures head back towards 0°C, making more layers necessary than the previous months. The climate will, however, remain dry and clear, offering stunning sweeping views as you fly-in via private charter.

September is a good time to photograph a range of wildlife against the impressive scenery as the vibrant autumn colours of the tundra come to life.

Female caribou start the migration, followed by the males and young calves a few weeks later, heading south to warmer climes. Male caribou start to shed the velvet from their antlers during this time so you may spot them rubbing them against trees and shrubs in an attempt to remove it.

October is the shoulder period between summer and winter as temperatures and daylight hours start to decrease. Scenery and wildlife is amazing and there is the chance to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights.

Mid-October is a great time to visit Churchill to see large groups of polar bears, and to see them gather on the shores of Hudson Bay.

The bears wait for the water to freeze over on Hudson Bay and provide them with a route to their winter feeding grounds further north. They will feast on seals until temperatures are warm again. Cubs are around 10 months old and learn hunting skills from their parents. It is not uncommon for the bears to come right up to your remote lodge and inspect you through the wire fence at this time.

As the winter draws in and the “Big Freeze” commences, polar bears can be seen hunting for seals as they break through the gaps in the ice to gasp for air.

If you can brave the extreme temperatures, November is a great time to see the variety of polar bear behaviour .

Churchill is a great place to see these magnificent creatures, as well as the remote polar bear cabins where our teams will ensure you are in the right places at the right time to make the most of this awe-inspiring experience. November also sees the start of the Northern Lights season, one of the top three places on earth to view this phenomenon.