The summer tundra buggy day tour covers the same Churchill Wildlife Management Area as the autumn tours but in the green season, and it feels very different. Instead of bears gathered at the shore, the highlights are caribou on the tidal flats, Arctic foxes and hares, snow geese, snowy owls and gyrfalcons, with more than 200 bird species passing through each summer. Polar bears are only occasionally seen in summer, as the operator states plainly, so treat any bear as a bonus rather than the goal. The day starts at about 8 in the morning at the Fifty Eight North gift shop at 124 Kelsey Boulevard, from where you are transferred to the Tundra Buggy dock, and it ends around 2 in the afternoon. You spend about six hours on the tundra. The buggy has seating for forty, inside and outside viewing and a rear viewing platform, and lunch and refreshments are included. The operator also has two electric buggies, so you may be offered a quieter electric vehicle.
The season is the first thing to understand. This is a summer tour, and 2026 dates should be confirmed with the operator before you plan. The operator describes July and August as the months when polar bears return to land, but it has not published tour operating months on the page we read, and the product page we checked showed a single upcoming departure in late September.
Treat the dates as variable, and confirm them before you book flights. Tours are capped at forty guests and often sell out in peak season. It is not an autumn bear tour, and the beluga whales are not part of this tour, so pair it with a boat trip if belugas are your goal.
On the tundra you travel slowly along tracks while the driver comments on the plants, animals and history of the area. Caribou often gather on the tidal flats in summer. Birdwatchers will be happiest, because the estuary and tundra lie on a major migration route. Buggies are heated and the one we read about has a single-use washroom, but the weather can change quickly, so wear layers even in July. Bring binoculars as well as a camera, sunglasses and insect repellent.
Booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, although service animals are allowed. Choose it if you are visiting in the warmer months, want an easy, comfortable way to see the tundra and do not mind that bears are a rare sighting. If polar bears are your priority, plan the trip for October or November instead.
What to expect
The experience
A guided six-hour day on a 40-seat tundra buggy with inside and outside viewing, a rear platform, lunch and refreshments.
Best time
Summer, when caribou, Arctic foxes and migratory birds are the highlights; confirm 2026 dates with the operator.
How long
About six hours on the tundra, from about 8 in the morning to about 2 in the afternoon.
Tips
Meet at Fifty Eight North 15 minutes early, wear layers even in summer, and bring binoculars and insect repellent.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Summer visitors who want a comfortable wildlife and birding day on the tundra.
- Families
- A shorter, warmer day than the autumn tour, so it suits children well, though the booking is non-refundable.
- Couples
- A relaxed day out with big skies and tundra flowers.
- Pair with
- A beluga boat trip in July or August and a visit to Cape Merry.
- Time needed
- Allow half a day, about six hours plus the transfers.
Good questions
When does the summer tundra buggy tour run?+
It runs in the summer season, but 2026 dates should be confirmed with the operator. One product page we checked showed a single departure in late September.
Will I see polar bears on the summer tour?+
Polar bears are only occasionally seen in summer, so treat any sighting as a bonus. For reliable bear viewing, visit in October or November.
What wildlife can I expect?+
Caribou on the tidal flats, Arctic foxes and hares, snow geese, snowy owls and many migratory birds are typical. More than 200 bird species pass through each summer.
Where do I meet the tour?+
Meet at the Fifty Eight North gift shop at 124 Kelsey Boulevard, 15 minutes before departure. You are returned there at the end.
Can I change or cancel the booking?+
The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check your dates carefully. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.
