Everything you need to know about polar bear holidays
It's summer in the far Arctic north and your eyes detect movement. White on white, as your eyes adjust to your icy surroundings revealing the magnificent King of the Arctic. Alternatively you could be watching from the warmth of your lodge as a curious bear peaks directly at you through huge picture windows amongst thousands of bright pink fireweed flowers. Your first time polar bear watching in the wild is sure to be truly magical.
Polar bear holidays in the bear's wild, natural habitat, vary greatly depending on where you are based. You can stay on the tundra in Churchill living amongst them as they wait for the 'Big Freeze', cruise round Svalbard as they trek the surrounding landscapes, stay in a homely lodge, or track them on foot on the floe edges of high Canada.
In Churchill, the best time to see polar bears is between October and November when the polar bears wait for the ‘Big Freeze’ to set in order to cross frozen lake in search of their favourite food: seals. You can also travel in the summer months to places such as Seal River Heritage Lodge, Baffin Island, as the ice floe melts back and the bears scour the coast for prey. If you wish to travel to Svalbard the best time to see polar bears is between May and September when the ice melts enough for the waters to be navigable by boat. We operate private small ship charters at this time to offer intimate wildlife experiences.
There is something addictive about seeing polar bears in their wild environment, perhaps their size and power contrasting the delicacy of their environment, or the varied wildlife you can spot on the way.
NEXT STEPS
• Browse our Svalbard holidays
• Download our free polar bear guide
• Contact our Destination Specialist for advice