Arctic Cruise Greenland to Newfoundland via Wild Labrador

After you arrive at the international airport on the former U.S. airbase of Kangerlussuaq, our guides will drive you along the longest road in Greenland (just 20 km!) to our embarkation point. We’ll hop on special Zodiacs that will take us to the grand Ocean Endeavour. You’ll get a chance to stretch your legs in your cabin and then it’s time to set sail! From there, 168 km of superb scenery await us as we cross spectacular Søndre Strømfjord, one of the longest fjords in the world.

The region is known for its towering cliff faces, massive glaciers, 300 days of clear sky per year, and access to the Greenland Ice Cap. As the local saying goes, you’re never without a friend in Kangerlussuaq, as friendly faces abound. The same goes for the curious arctic rabbits, foxes, caribou, great white-tailed eagles, and a population of around 10,000 musk oxen.

Turning south at Simiutaq Island, we hug the coast of Greenland.

As we move along the West Coast of Greenland, we’ll pass the region’s complex and stunning coastline. Take note of incredible glaciers, islands, and fjords against a towering mountain backdrop as we sail by the coastal landscape.

Here, we’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with West Greenland’s beautiful landscape via our ship and Zodiac.

Day 3 marks our sailing into Nuuk, the main city of Greenland and the world’s northernmost capital! Nuuk comes from the Kalaallisut word for “cape,” and is located at the mouth of a gigantic fjord system. Established as the first official town of Greenland in 1728, Nuuk remains the bustling heart of the country. 

We’ll have a guided orientation around the city and its history. Nuuk is home to the University of Greenland, historical whaling houses, a cathedral that dates back to 1849, and Greenland’s National Museum, where we’ll have a chance to study the famous Qilakitsoq mummies. 

Then it’s some free time to walk around and explore on your own. You may have the chance to spot humpback whales in the fjords, reindeer roaming the hills, and birds soaring above.

Our presentation series will kick into full swing as we steam across the Davis Strait and into the Arctic Ocean, towards landfall in Canada. While out on deck, keep your eyes peeled for minke, humpback, and other marine mammals, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage. 

The strait was named after John Davis, an explorer on the hunt for a Northwest Passage. By the 1650s, it was a popular whale-hunting spot. Once notorious for its fierce tides, our modern cruise ship is well-equipped to handle the pull of the ocean. 

If we’re lucky, we’ll spot narwhal, bowhead whales, belugas, and seabirds on our voyage. 

Hike the Mountainous Tundra & Spot Wildlife

Spend four days exploring an area of treeless, mountainous tundra in Torngat Mountains National Park, where some of Canada’s highest peaks east of the Rockies are found.

Enjoy your time hiking, visiting archaeological sites, and Zodiac cruising. Here, Inuit of Nunatsiavut will be your guides in their spiritual homeland.

Be on the lookout for marine mammals, polar and black bears, caribou, falcons, and eagles.

Ponder Poignant History

Step back in time to the historical site of Hebron, which preserves a Moravian Mission station dating from the 1830s.

Call in at the old church, which is where Inuit who resided here in 1959 learned they would be forced to relocate.

Take a moment to read the plaque that commemorates this history and the apology to people affected by the relocations, issued by the government of Newfoundland & Labrador in 2005.

Listen to the stories shared by our guides and meet former Hebron residents and their kin who continue to visit the site and hunt and fish nearby.

Experience Inuit Culture

Visit thriving Nain, the most northerly community in Labrador and the administrative capital of Nunatsiavut.

Stop in at the historic Moravian church, enjoy the vibrant brass band, and visit Illusuak, the stunning new cultural centre.

Expect a warm welcome and the opportunity to peruse plenty of arts and handicrafts at this dynamic visit.

This will be your first chance to see trees since the start of your journey!

Enjoy Hiking & Zodiac Cruises

Explore the southern Labrador coast, where you’ll find a diverse geography of coastal barrens, high subarctic tundra, high boreal forest, mid-boreal forest, string bog, and islands.

Choose the activity you prefer during expedition landings in this beautiful and quiet region.

Immerse Yourself in Viking Archaeology

Wander through the reconstructed Viking habitation at L’Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only authenticated Norse settlement in North America.

Learn more about the archaeological remains that date to approximately 1000 CE, and how—amazingly—the site was first found here in 1960 by a close reading of the Viking sagas.

Be sure to visit the superb interpretation centre and meet the actors in period costumes as you make your way through the reconstructed Norse-style sod buildings. This is a must-see for any visitor to Newfoundland and Labrador!

Marvel at Breathtaking Vistas in Terra Nova National Park

Explore the wonders of Canada’s most easterly national park, where the land meets the sea in a stunning display of natural beauty.

Make your way to the park’s visitor centre and dive into the mysteries of the ocean through touch tanks, marine exhibits, and aquariums. Located along the Newman Sound portion of the Terra Nova Migratory Bird Sanctuary, the visitor centre offers the perfect vantage point to spot fascinating shorebirds in their natural habitat.

Take a stroll along one of the park's scenic trails accompanied by our expert expedition team who will offer interpretations of the surroundings. Marvel at the vibrant colours and intricate details of this extraordinary destination, where nature's power and beauty come together in perfect harmony.

Wave a Fond Farewell

Welcome to St. John’s—the vibrant capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Complete your journey by sailing into historic St. John’s harbour, looking out for Signal Hill as you enter the world-famous Narrows.

Photograph the charming houses of the Battery, always a hit with shutterbugs.

Say your farewells in this cultural hotspot and what is sometimes called North America's oldest city.

Our vessel for this voyage is the Ocean Endeavour. A 1B ice-class sailing boat that holds a maximum of 198 passengers and is outfitted with 20 Zodiac boats, our ship is perfect for expedition cruises. Facilities include a top deck observation room, swimming pool, outdoor dining, sauna spa, library, and top-class navigation equipment.

Our three onboard lounges are excellent public spaces for our educational seminars, workshops, and entertainment. Launched in 1982, the Ocean Endeavour has been upgraded many times, most recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137-m (450 ft) in length and 21-m (69 ft) in breadth, it’s the pride of our cruises in Canada and beyond.

Learn more about the Ocean Endeavour.

No Single Supplement! Solo Adventurers are welcome. Our cruises have no single supplement on a limited quantity of cabins in categories 3 to 7. Once these cabins are sold, the single supplement fee is 1.5x the cost of the berth.

Temperatures run around 8-15° Celsius (46-60° Fahrenheit) on average. That said, guests have been known to enjoy a day of shorts and t-shirts in the Canadian Arctic! Do note that temperatures can fall below zero (especially at night) and snowfall could happen at any time.

This program features activities such as walking, wildlife viewing, and Zodiac cruising, all at a relatively easy to moderate level of exertion. The majority of shore landings are undertaken using Zodiacs. Zodiac embarkations involve descending gangway stairs with double handrails and stepping into the Zodiac from a small platform at water level (assistance is provided).

If you wish to add on a charter flight from Toronto, Ontario to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, this is available for an additional cost.