
★ Wildlife
Whale Watching in Húsavík
Worth making time for
Description: Every summer, roughly 3,000 to 4,000 belugas gather in the shallow Churchill River estuary in Manitoba, Canada, to feed and calve. From July through early September the water is at its calmest, which is when Zodiac tours, kayaking and paddleboard trips, and floating mat outings run on jet drive or prop guarded boats. Snorkeling with belugas is no longer permitted under federal regulations.

The draw here is the whales' curiosity. Belugas often swim up to boats, kayaks, and paddleboards on their own to investigate, so the encounter can feel like the animal chose you. You do not chase them; you sit still on the water and let their interest do the work.