Cristina and I went on ‘snorkel with belugas’ tour from Sea North Tours in Churchill, Manitoba and it was one of the most amazing wildlife encounters of our lives.
We were in the water for an hour, surrounded by beluga whales the entire time. We were being towed backwards behind a slow-moving zodiac so the belugas could follow us face to face. The highlight was seeing several mothers with small baby belugas! They brought the babies right up to us so we could each have a closer look at each other.
Note that snorkeling with belugas is not allowed anymore. You can still go kayaking with belugas in Churchill though! If you want to kayak with belugas and see polar bears in the same trip, check out his multi-day trip offered by Frontiers North Adventures. This is the whole package!
Our tour was provided by Travel Manitoba.
For more info about the tour visit Sea North Tours.
Many thanks to our excellent guides Claude and Rhonda.
For more adventures from our American Safari, visit American Safari Base Camp.
Hal Brindley
Brindley is an American conservation biologist, wildlife photographer, filmmaker, writer, and illustrator living in Asheville, NC. He studied black-footed cats in Namibia for his master’s research, has traveled to all seven continents, and loves native plant gardening. See more of his work at Travel for Wildlife, Truly Wild, Our Wild Yard, & Naturalist Studio.
Jamy Sullivan
Monday 25th of February 2019
thanks for info:O) They have said the federal law recently changed and snorkeling and swimming with them is not allowed
Hal Brindley
Friday 1st of March 2019
Thank you so much for the heads up Jamy! We've updated all our swim with beluga articles to include this info!
Hal Brindley
Friday 1st of March 2019
Thank you so much for the heads up Jamy! We've update all our swim with beluga articles to include this info!
Jamy
Saturday 16th of February 2019
What time of year did you go?
Hal Brindley
Saturday 23rd of February 2019
Hi Jamy, this was summertime (first week of August). For more info check out the "when to swim with belugas" section in our post "How to Swim With Belugas in the Wild"! https://www.travel4wildlife.com/how-to-swim-with-belugas-in-the-wild/
Troy Martin
Monday 2nd of June 2014
I never had the chance to experience this. What was it like swimming with baby beluga whales? I'm sure you had an amazing time. I swam with sperm whales before but swimming with baby whales is kinda elusive for me, but it's in my bucket list and I intend to do it anytime soon this year.
Cristina Garcia
Sunday 15th of June 2014
Hi Troy! Swimming with beluga whales is the best experience I've ever had. We've swam with dolphins and manatees but beluga whales are top of my list. It is fantastic to see how their faces change (they can move their lips and forehead) and when they bring their babies to you so they can see you it makes you feel very special. If you go, please send us photos! We miss the beluga whales!
Cristina Garcia
Sunday 1st of September 2013
It is really great, you should do it one day!
The GypsyNesters
Saturday 17th of August 2013
Wow! We have snorkeled with sea lions, turtles, and dolphins... but wow!
Cristina Garcia
Monday 19th of August 2013
Crazy, huh? we've also swam with all kinds of animals, but belugas win! It is incredible.