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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Visiting the Canadian Arctic: Key factors
- Expedition cruises only operate in August and September, once the narrow channels become ice free
- August is the peak month for wildlife activity; by September wildlife is on the move again
- September trips benefit from better chances of experiencing the Northern Lights
- Average temperatures during this brief window are -5°C to +8°C (23°F to 26°F)
- Due to increased melting of ice in the Canadian Arctic, making a full transit of the Northwest Passage is now all but guaranteed.
Swoop says
Whether it’s for the wildlife, Northern Lights or to visit Inuit communities that you’re heading north, it’s well worth paying attention to the monthly nuances to get the most from your trip.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Our most popular Canadian Arctic voyages
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
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
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
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
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
- $25,784
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
What our customers think of When to visit 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
When is the best time to visit the Canadian Arctic?
August
As the ice recedes in August, a small number of expedition ships arrive in the Canadian Arctic, providing the best means to explore this isolated region.
In August, the days are still long which maximises opportunities for wildlife sightings. Temperatures are relatively warm, but as ever in this region, the weather can change quickly and it can still snow at any time.
Around Somerset and Prince of Wales islands, you might sight opportunistic polar bears who have been following the migrating narwhal and beluga whales.
Bears on the ice at Baffin Island
September
In September, the days shorten and the weather cools. There is a higher chance of snow, marking a change in the seasons and the onset of autumn.
However, the ice does continue to melt through the month and this makes it easier to reach previously ice-choked locations, inaccessible earlier in the season. Along with the longer nights comes increasing chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Despite the cooling temperatures, wildlife is very much still around, though the majority of birds will have already migrated south. In September the following were all sighted on a single day: five polar bears, 25 belugas and 12 feeding bowheads.
Graves of explorers on Beechey Island
Preparing for the weather
Even though August and September are the mildest months of the year weather-wise, it's still essential to be prepared with a full range of clothing so as not to get caught off guard. This, after all, is the Hight Arctic.
Temperatures in the Canadian Arctic during cruising season generally range from -5°C to 8°C (23°F to 46°F), plus a high wind-chill factor.
With this in mind, you should prepare a selection of suitable clothing. Essential items are waterproof trousers and insulated layers for zodiac trips. Rubber boots are generally loaned to you by the ship.
Zodiac cruising at Croker Bay, Canada
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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Getting to the Canadian Arctic
The Canadian Arctic is vast and remote, with few roads, limited airports and no public coastal ferry services connecting communities. For visitors wanting to explore beyond the …
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Canadian Arctic Wildlife
The Canadian Arctic is best known for the dramatic history of the Northwest Passage, but its waterways and islands are also home to some fascinating wildlife. You'll have the …
Discover MoreCanadian Arctic: FAQs
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How do I get to the Canadian Arctic?
Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton in Canada, plus Keflavík in Iceland, are the main international gateways for onward scheduled and charter flights to the start and end points for Canadian Arctic cruises further north.
These start and end points are typically Cambridge Bay, Resolute and Kugluktuk (Coppermine) in the Canadian Arctic, Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk in West Greenland, or Nome in Alaska.
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What is so interesting about the Canadian Arctic?
It's the search for the fabled Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic that captures the interest of most people. The search stretched across four centuries and is a fascinating story of failure, disaster and tragedy, but also of great heroism and endurance which continues to resonate and be of great interest.
Recent changes in the Canadian Arctic climate, and the viability of an ice free Northwest Passage for commercial shipping, has further peaked interest in this incredibly rich historical region.
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Is it common to see polar bears in the Canadian Arctic?
There are three main variables – alongside luck, which none of us can control – to bear in mind when it comes to giving yourself the best chance of seeing polar bears:
1. Length of trip: Put simply, the longer your trip the greater your chances of wildlife encounters
2. The Itinerary: While polar bears are very nomad, there are well-known polar bear ‘hotspots’ (e.g. Coningham Bay, Lancaster Sound, Croker Bay and Bellot Strait)
3. Calibre and size of the expedition team: You want a big and very experienced team, as that means there will always be lots of sets of eyes on watch for wildlife. And, secondly, from experience, they’ll also know where to look, which will further improve your chance of successful sightings
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Is it possible to make a full transit of the Northwest Passage?
Yes, with the sadly increasing summer temperatures in the Canadian Arctic and resultant melting of the ice, successfully transiting the Northwest Passage is now all but guaranteed, in a way that it wasn’t 20 years ago.
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Should I choose a smaller or larger expedition ship?
This is a key question, and in the Canadian Arctic there are several ways to think about it:
Firstly, you should consider what's most important to you, as there are trade-offs. A smaller ship typically lends itself to a more intimate experience, where you’ll get to know a greater proportion of your fellow passengers, and getting on and off the ship will be speedier.
However, the anonymity of a larger ship, alongside normally more on-ship amenities and a wider choice of dining locations (particularly on a longer voyage) can be attractive. There’s no right or wrong answer, it's simply down to personal choice.
The other way to look at it – given the relatively limited number of Canadian Arctic itineraries and ships – is to focus on choosing the right trip first, as depending on which you choose, there may only be one or two ships from which to choose.
Leopold Island, home to thousands of thick-billed murres
Humpback whale diving
Devon Island at Sunset
Bears on the sea ice, Lancaster Sound
Aurora over the Canadian Arctic
Kayaking in Radstock Bay
Big ice in the Canadian Arctic
Navigating Prince Regent Inlet
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.
