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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Five reasons to book a Canadian Arctic cruise
- Follow in the footsteps of Franklin and Amundsen, navigating the fabled Northwest Passage – one of the world's most iconic sea journeys
- Explore a vast untouched wilderness comprised of over 36,000 islands and covering an immense total area of 500,000 square miles
- A hotspot for iconic Arctic wildlife – opportunities to see polar bear, walrus, musk ox, Arctic fox and if you're very lucky, narwhal
- Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Canadian Arctic's Inuit and First Nations people through visiting local communities
- As summer wanes and the nights start to draw in from late August, there are good chances for spectacular Northern Lights sightings
Swoop says
Cruising in the vast Canadian Arctic is pure magic. You'll be exploring one of the last truly untouched wildernesses on the planet, while following in the footsteps of fabled explorers.
Nardus Erasmus Arctic Sales Specialist
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.
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
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
A full transit of the Northwest Passage is a truly epic undertaking, travelling in the footsteps of legendary explorers Amundsen, Franklin and Larsen. This voyage is distinguished by the small, nimble and comfortably appointed expedition ship you'll travel on, with…
- 29 Days
- $44,395
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…
- 21 Days
- $16,627
This is a fabulous introduction to the best of the Canadian High Arctic, incorporating an in-depth exploration of Baffin Island and the mythical Northwest Passage – with time also in West Greenland. From dramatic glacier-carved scenery and wildlife encounters, to…
- 20 Days
- $17,751
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
- $23,071
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
Spending time exploring Canada’s historic Northwest Passage and West Greenland, we like this voyage’s balance and variety as much as exploring little visited spots such as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world, and Smith Sound. Big ice,…
- 17 Days
- $23,790
Circumnavigate legendary Baffin Bay as part of this extraordinary Arctic adventure which cherry picks the region’s highlights. From West Greenland’s spectacular glaciers and pretty Inuit villages to the remoteness and rich wildlife of Baffin Island, this is a journey of…
- 17 Days
- $18,054
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
Visits to Canadian and Greenlandic communities Inuit history and culture are at the core of this journey, among those stops both Kinngait, the centre of Inuit Art and Nuuk, Greenland's capital are included. There's plenty of wildlife opportunities too with…
- 14 Days
- $6,747
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
Highlights of the Canadian Arctic
The Northwest Passage
Indisputably one of the world’s most fabled sea journeys, the Northwest Passage from an expedition cruise point of view is the jewel in the Canadian Arctic’s crown, and for very good reason.
Ice bound and impregnable for much of the year, it's only for approximately six short weeks in late summer that the ice recedes enough to allow ice strengthened ships carrying guests with an adventurous spirit to slip through and experience the region’s stark landscapes, thrilling wildlife and to retrace the routes of the early explorers.
Graves of explorers on Beechey Island
Iconic wildlife
Home to the Arctic’s most iconic wildlife - walrus, musk ox, polar bear, bowhead whales and the mythical narwhal - wildlife opportunities are a central part of every expedition cruise in the Canadian Arctic, and a key drawcard to the region.
While the region’s vast scale, and the natural shyness of many of the species, means sharp eyes and perseverance are required, a combination of known 'wildlife hotspots' and a slice of luck typically deliver some highly memorable encounters.
Walrus at Kapp Lee
Culture and community visits
Northern Canada is one of the best places to come into contact with Inuit and First Nations communities – the resilient, welcoming and fiercely traditional people who make the Arctic wilderness their home.
Traditions vary widely between communities, but one thing is held in common throughout, overcoming the challenges of living in a hostile, remote environment, in a rapidly changing world.
Tourism is an important part of life here, and you'll find many eager to share their way of life with visitors.
Inuit resident of the Northwest Passage
Swoop says
Whether you come in search of fabled histories, exotic wildlife encounters, heroic landscapes or vibrant local culture, the Canadian Arctic delivers in spades.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Spectacular Northern Lights
Seeing the Northern Lights filling the night sky while on your voyage can be a spectacular sight.
Early in the season the midnight sun will wash out the sky completely, so you won't see them in June and July. As August progresses and twilight returns for a few hours, it's possible to see some auroral displays, especially towards the end of the month.
September, when the nights grow darker, is when you have the best chance of seeing brilliant green and violet displays dancing over ice-filled fjords – a truly unforgettable performance.
Northern Lights
Untamed landscapes
From Ellesmere Island in the far north, through the Northwest Passage’s icy labyrinth to Baffin Island further south, the Canadian Arctic is as varied as it is vast.
Exploring the Canadian Arctic by small ship reveals an untamed, often starkly beautiful treeless wilderness shaped by ice, wind, water and time.
Rugged mountains, rolling tundra and glacier-carved fjords create an ever-changing panorama, where icebergs drift on sapphire waters, all under an immense sky.
Scenery of the Northwest Passage
Northwest Passage voyages
These voyages include both partial transits (approximately 16-20 days in length) and trips which undertake the full transit of the fabled Northwest Passage (25-30 days in length), between Alaska and Greenland.
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
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
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
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
- $23,071
Spending time exploring Canada’s historic Northwest Passage and West Greenland, we like this voyage’s balance and variety as much as exploring little visited spots such as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world, and Smith Sound. Big ice,…
- 17 Days
- $23,790
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,…
- 26 Days
- $27,929
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
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
A full transit of the Northwest Passage is a truly epic undertaking, travelling in the footsteps of legendary explorers Amundsen, Franklin and Larsen. This voyage is distinguished by the small, nimble and comfortably appointed expedition ship you'll travel on, with…
- 29 Days
- $44,395
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
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…
- 26 Days
- $27,627
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
- $26,079
This is a fabulous introduction to the best of the Canadian High Arctic, incorporating an in-depth exploration of Baffin Island and the mythical Northwest Passage – with time also in West Greenland. From dramatic glacier-carved scenery and wildlife encounters, to…
- 20 Days
- $17,751
Baffin Bay voyages
Flanked by west Greenland and Baffin Island, for a few short months each summer Baffin Bay offers some extraordinary encounters for the curious traveller, with trips varying between 13-20 days in length.
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
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
This is a fabulous introduction to the best of the Canadian High Arctic, incorporating an in-depth exploration of Baffin Island and the mythical Northwest Passage – with time also in West Greenland. From dramatic glacier-carved scenery and wildlife encounters, to…
- 20 Days
- $17,751
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…
- 21 Days
- $16,627
Visits to Canadian and Greenlandic communities Inuit history and culture are at the core of this journey, among those stops both Kinngait, the centre of Inuit Art and Nuuk, Greenland's capital are included. There's plenty of wildlife opportunities too with…
- 14 Days
- $6,747
Planning your trip to the Canadian Arctic
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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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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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 …
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Zodiacs explore the ice in the Northwest Passage
Aurora over the Canadian Arctic
A polar bear in Churchill, the 'polar bear capital of the world'
A shelter with views of a glacier
Bylot Island
Humpback in the Northwest Passage
Cruising the Northwest Passage
Cape York in the Canadian Arctic
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.
