Canadian Arctic Cruises
Sandwiched between Alaska and Greenland, Canada’s ‘Far North’ covers a whopping 39% of the country’s total land area, yet is populated by less than 1% of the population. …
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Getting to the Canadian Arctic: Key factors
- The Canadian Arctic covers roughly 40% of Canada's total landmass (spanning over 1.5 million square miles or six times the size of Texas)
- With no roads connecting this region to southern Canada, access is a challenge; flights and expedition ships provide the only means to reach this vast and remote region
- For the visitor, its only with the increasing summer temperatures and the onset of the annual thaw that this region opens up. Expedition ships operate in August and September
- There aren’t any scheduled ferries running in this area in summer; joining an expedition cruise from Greenland or Alaska offers the only route in by water
- Scheduled flights are limited and expensive. For ease and expediency, expedition cruises exploring the Northwest Passage and/or Baffin Island include charter flights
Swoop says
To ensure a smooth arrival, all of our Canadian Arctic voyages utilise time and hassle-saving chartered flights from the likes of Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and Nuuk, which convey guests directly to where they embark their ship.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Our most popular trips to the Canadian Arctic
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
We love this voyage for its breathtaking variety – landscape, wildlife, habitat and culture – as you journey south from the icy home of the Inuit, through the boreal forest belt, to finish in Newfoundland, with its Viking and Celtic…
- 14 Days
- $12,921
Traversing west to east this voyage takes you to iconic sites such as Cambridge Bay, Lancaster and Smith Sounds and Ellesmere Island, before exploring the fjords and towns of West Greenland. Bears, narwhal, musk ox, beluga and northern lights are…
- 17 Days
- $13,297
True adventurers wanted! Spend 11 whole days exploring the remote, virtually unvisited borderlands where Greenland and the Canadian Arctic meet. No other expedition ship travels this far north. Flying from Ottawa to Resolute, you’ll sail historic waterways, explore glacier-carved islands…
- 13 Days
- $11,336
For an extraordinary Arctic introduction, join this unique full circumnavigation of Baffin Bay’s icy waters aboard a comfortable, state-of-the-art expedition ship. Travelling clockwise, you will navigate deep fjords, witness towering icebergs and explore remote sites. Venturing further north than almost…
- 19 Days
- $17,568
In the labyrinthine icy channels of the legendary Northwest Passage, explore the islands and channels that form Canada’s High Arctic region. Meet local indigenous people, encounter enigmatic Arctic wildlife – including walruses, beluga whales, polar bears, musk oxen and the elusive…
- 16 Days
- $25,495
Beginning in Cambridge Bay, this westbound-arching route encapsulates the best that the Northwest Passage and West Greenland have to offer. Thread your way through the icy labyrinth of staggering landscapes, dramatic history, remote Inuit settlements and charismatic Arctic wildlife, with…
- 16 Days
- $25,495
This comprehensive westbound voyage stands out for its compelling combination of West Greenland, the east coast of Baffin Island and the historic Northwest Passage. Jaw-dropping scenery, towering icebergs, thrilling wildlife encounters, Inuit community visits and fascinating history pervade this epic…
- 17 Days
- $22,871
Embark on one of the world’s most iconic journeys – a full transit through the fabled Northwest Passage from Alaska to Greenland, following in the footsteps of the intrepid early explorers. What makes this particular voyage even more special is…
- 23 Days
- $57,728
Combining little-visited southeast Baffin Island with the towering icebergs and charming communities of West Greenland, this is an unusual and fascinating exploration of two very different Arctic regions divided by Baffin Bay. Sailing on an all-inclusive luxury polar ship, with…
- 17 Days
- $21,250
The big ice and small towns of West Greenland provide a stunning start to this trip before you sail across the Davis Straight to Baffin Island and enter the Northwest Passage. Blend history, scenery and wildlife; pay your respects at…
- 17 Days
- $13,297
In two weeks and over 2,200 nautical miles, sail from Newfoundland, along Canada’s dramatic Labrador coast, to West Greenland. Prepare to be wowed by the variety with everything from Inuit culture to caribou, UNESCO World Heritage sites to polar bears,…
- 15 Days
- $10,497
Set sail on this in-depth, luxury 20-day cruise of west Greenland and the legendary Northwest Passage. Travelling deep into the icy labyrinth of the Northwest Passage, encounter Inuit culture, retrace Franklin’s footsteps and witness Arctic wildlife – musk ox, polar…
- 20 Days
- $25,794
Embark on an epic voyage through the fabled Northwest Passage, sailing from Nome to Nuuk. Alongside your expert Expedition Team, you will encounter spectacular wildlife, UNESCO-listed treasures, and vibrant Inuit settlements. From the thrill of remote exploration to the stunning,…
- 25 Days
- $26,039
Follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers on a magnificent voyage from Greenland, attempting to transit the fabled Northwest Passage toward Alaska. Alongside your expert Expedition Team, you will discover UNESCO-listed sites, abundant wildlife, and vibrant Inuit settlements. This journey…
- 25 Days
- $23,712
Getting to the Canadian Arctic: Your options
Arriving by plane
Flying is the primary, fastest, and most reliable way to arrive.
- Southern hub cities: You must first fly into a major Canadian gateway city, typically Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, or Montreal.
- Commercial flights: Airlines like Canadian North operate scheduled jet service from southern hubs to regional Arctic capitals, such as Iqaluit (Nunavut) and Yellowknife (Northwest Territories). From there, smaller propeller planes connect to remote communities.
- Expedition cruise packages: If you're booking a Canadian Arctic cruise, the operator will almost always package a private charter flight from an administrative hub, like Ottawa or Toronto, directly to a remote northern landing strip where the ship is waiting.
Starkly beautiful Arctic landscape
Arriving by ship
Because the Canadian Arctic’s many waterways are choked with sea ice for most of the year, maritime travel is highly seasonal.
Travel by ship is strictly limited to the late summer months, from July to September, when ice melts enough to navigate the channels. You cannot take a standard commercial ferry or cruise ship. Instead, to travel by ship you need to book passage on a specialised ice-strengthened expedition ship.
From the east, many voyages depart from Greenland (Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq) or Iceland (Reykjavík) and sail west across Baffin Bay into the Canadian High Arctic Archipelago
There are also full transit cruises cross the entire legendary Northwest Passage eastward from Alaska (Nome) or westward from Greenland (Nuuk), though shorter partial transits are also available.
Sailing near Baffin Island
What our customers think of the Canadian Arctic
This trip was simply marvellous. The hour-long up-close viewing of a female polar bear from the bow of the ship as she crossed the sea ice and put on a show for us was certainly a highlight. The 1,500 pictures I took over the course of this viewing is a testament to this. Read the full review
Travelled: September 2018
Elaine Green - USA
The trip was good, the light gorgeous, the icebergs fantastical, and the wildlife wonderful with more polar bears than expected. The traditional villages made us think about their future, and we met new friends. Read the full review
Travelled: August 2018
Carol & Gerard Yorke - USA
Arriving in the Canadian Arctic
Visas
For travelling to the Canadian Arctic, you should check the latest Canadian entry requirements for your nationality and travel arrangements. Entry requirements are the same as for other parts of Canada, although your route into the Arctic may affect which documents you need.
US passport holders generally do not need a visa or eTA to enter Canada, but should travel with a valid passport.
British citizens generally don't need a visa to visit Canada, but require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if arriving by air.
Other nationalities may require a visitor visa or, if eligible, an eTA. Requirements depend on your nationality and whether you arrive by air or sea. Always check the latest requirements before travel.
Graves of explorers on Beechey Island
What to expect in the Canadian Arctic
The Canadian Arctic is immense, remote and wonderfully wild. Scattered communities are separated by vast distances, while beyond them stretches a remarkable landscape of mountains, fjords, tundra, glaciers, islands and waterways. Summer brings long hours of daylight, abundant wildlife and opportunities to experience this extraordinary wilderness up close.
Although August and September offer the best conditions for exploring by ship, this is the High Arctic: temperatures are usually cool, weather can change quickly and snow is possible, even in summer. Travel can also be affected by weather and sea conditions. Yet these challenges are part of the experience – a place of astonishing beauty, rich Inuit culture, remarkable wildlife and vast wilderness that feels wonderfully far removed from everyday life.
Devon Island at Sunset
Swoop says
Joining a voyage to the Canadian Arctic will get you to places that simply aren't possible to reach otherwise, and to which very few other people have visited.
Plan your trip to the Canadian Arctic
Canadian Arctic Ship Guide
Exploring by expedition ship delivers unmatched access to the Canadian Arctic’s secluded shores, frozen passageways and isolated settlements. Considering the vast expanses and …
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When to visit the Canadian Arctic
Access to the Canadian Arctic is limited to just two months a year: August and September. It's only in these months when temperatures are above freezing and the ice has receded …
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Northwest Passage Landing Sites
Exploring the Arctic on board an expedition vessel is a fully immersive and educational experience of which the daily landings are a key component. From the thrill of encountering …
Discover MoreGetting to the Canadian Arctic: FAQs
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Where do Canadian Arctic cruises start and end?
Voyages in the Canadian Arctic start and finish at a variety of places. In the west your voyage could start or finish is remote locations such as Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Resolute or Cambridge Bay.
In the west your voyage could start or finish on the west coast of Greenland, in Kangerlussuaq or Nuuk.
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How do charter flights and embarkation transfers work?
Most voyages in the Canadian Arctic require you to first fly to a major Canadian gateway city, such as Ottawa or Toronto, before flying on by private charter flight to a remote landing strip from where your ship is waiting.
Some voyages also start or finish in west Greenland - Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq – which are served by limited international flights
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When is the best time of year to sail?
The season for cruising in the Canadian Arctic is narrow. August and September are the only months when the sea ice melts sufficiently to allow ships to pass.
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What will happen if ice blocks the route?
All Arctic voyages require flexibility. Even the modern ships are at the mercy of the unpredictable shifting pack ice.
Your proposed route will be constantly monitored and adjusted as necessary.
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How cold will it be in the Canadian Arctic?
The temperature on a Canadian Arctic cruise will generally range from -5°C to 8°C (23°F to 46°F), plus a high wind-chill factor.
For this reason it's important to have waterproof trousers and insulated layers for zodiac trips. Rubber boots are usually loaned to you by the ship.
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Are visas or permits required to visit the Canadian Arctic?
On a Canadian Arctic voyage, you might also be travelling through Greenland, as well as Canada.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months past the last day of your trip, and you could require travel authorisation such as the Canadian eTA, depending on your nationality.
Any landing permits and native community visit authorisations will be handled by your cruise operator.
Ready to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
1. Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3. Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
