Once you’ve decided that you want your break to be uniquely Canadian, holidays to the Great White North begin to plan themselves. You’re in the market for wildlife, adventure and, maybe most importantly, to see something amazing. And what could possibly be more awe-inspiring (and adorable) than a beluga whale?
Churchill, a small town in the province of Manitoba, is known for its polar bears – so much so that the thousands of wonderful whales that frequent Hudson Bay are often overlooked, the bears garnering the most tourist attention. So if you’re looking for a friendlier and more aquatic mammal – one who is far more likely to kiss you – Beluga whale watching is the activity for you.
Aquatic Cats
Beluga (Russian for white) whales are both the felines and the canaries of the ocean. Cute as a kitten and just as curious, they seem to grin at you as though they were the Cheshire Cat. They look a bit like dolphins with football helmets for heads and are relatively small for a whale – rarely growing longer than 5m or heavier than 1,000kg.
They’re incredibly vocal creatures, using their flexible mouths to create myriad high-pitched sounds ranging from moos to trills to clicks to whistles. By making these noises, they are using the sound waves they emit to find small fish to eat or holes in the ice so they can surface, a process known as echolocation. They have been known to reach the age of 75, dive as deep as a kilometre and hold their breath for over 25 minutes. Belugas, as one of the friendliest creatures in the entire ocean, have no qualms swimming right up to boats and love interacting with humans, making a whale watching tour a lovely and intimate addition to all Canadian holidays.
A Whale of a Time
The Hudson Bay is home to over 57,000 Beluga whales, making Churchill the ideal place to set up camp. They are at peak numbers from mid-June to mid-September, so plan your holiday accordingly for optimum chances to meet these mammals. There are many different ways to come in contact with these creatures. Guided tours on a large passenger or zodiac boat are a great option for those who want to sit back and relax as they are taken straight to the whales. More adventurous watchers can choose to kayak out to these mammals – or even put on your snorkelling gear and swim directly in the water with them. Whatever method you choose, you’re guaranteed to be charmed and delighted by the Beluga whale.
Whether you’re peering over the edge of a boat as a Beluga whale dances by or playing with one as you snorkel through Hudson Bay, one thing is for sure – you and your travel partners won’t be the only ones laughing and chattering. Canadian holidays are the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with these playful cetaceans.
Martin Wynn
