The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the world’s largest land predator, uniquely adapted to the harsh environment of the circumpolar Arctic. This formidable marine mammal spends the vast majority of its life on the frozen ocean, a habitat that is both dynamic and remote. Finding these bears requires traveling to the far reaches of the North, where their existence is intimately tied to the presence of sea ice. Their immense range and reliance on a constantly shifting platform of ice make them one of the most challenging animals to locate in the wild.
Defining the Polar Bear’s Circumpolar Range
The global population of polar bears, estimated to be between 22,000 and 31,000 individuals, is distributed across the entire Arctic basin, a territory known as the circumpolar North. This range is shared among five nations, referred to as the Polar Bear Range States: Canada, the United States, Russia, Norway, and Greenland (an autonomous territory of Denmark). The bears’ territory is defined by the extent of the sea ice platform, which they use for hunting, mating, and travel, rather than geopolitical borders. Canada holds the largest portion of the world’s polar bear population, with approximately 60% of the total. Scientists currently divide the global population into 19 distinct management units. Bears primarily inhabit areas of annual sea ice that cover continental shelves, because these shallower waters offer the biological productivity needed to sustain their seal prey.
Seasonal Movements and Sea Ice Dependence
The location of polar bears is governed by the annual cycle of sea ice formation and melt, which dictates their access to food. During the winter and spring, the bears are widely dispersed across the solid ice platform, actively hunting seals at breathing holes and along ice edges. This period is when the bears build up the fat reserves necessary for survival. They are constantly moving to remain in productive habitats, often traveling long distances on drifting ice to stay over the continental shelf where seals are abundant. As temperatures rise in the summer, the sea ice begins its annual retreat, forcing bears in many southern populations to undertake an onshore migration. This seasonal gathering on land, such as in Hudson Bay where bears fast for months until the ice returns in the fall, makes them more concentrated and visible in certain coastal areas.
Premier Destinations for Viewing
Observing polar bears in the wild requires accessing these remote Arctic locations, and specific hubs have developed the infrastructure for reliable viewing. The town of Churchill, Manitoba, in Canada, is widely known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” due to the predictable seasonal convergence of bears waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze. Bears gather here in late fall, typically October and November, and tourists observe them from specialized, large-wheeled vehicles called tundra buggies, which provide safety and a raised viewing platform.
Another major destination is the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. Viewing in Svalbard is primarily ship-based, with expedition cruises navigating the ice floes and isolated shorelines during the summer months. A third option is Kaktovik, a small Inupiat village on Barter Island in Alaska, which offers boat-based viewing from August through October. Here, the bears congregate on barrier islands near the village, drawn by the remains of subsistence-harvested Bowhead whales. These locations are considered the most reliable because the bears are naturally forced into accessible, concentrated areas by the seasonal constraints of their sea ice habitat.
Responsible Viewing and Conservation Status
The polar bear is classified as a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This status is based on a projected population decrease of at least 30% over the next three generations, a decline directly linked to the loss of their sea ice habitat due to climate change. The species is recognized as an indicator of the overall health of the Arctic ecosystem. Responsible tourism prioritizes the bear’s welfare over the human experience. Visitors should only travel with certified, experienced guides who adhere to strict guidelines, such as maintaining minimum distance from the bears. Ethical viewing means never feeding the animals and minimizing any disturbance that could alter their natural behavior.