Arctic cruise through the northwest passage

Kangerlussuaq was a U.S. military base during WWII and is now Greenland’s major flight hub - also referred to as the gateway to Greenland. This small settlement is located at the eastern end of the Kangerlussuaq fjord on the west coast. Most of the approximately 500 residents work at the airfield.

After landing, hop on a bus along Greenland’s longest road - stretching less than twenty kilometers to the port. There Zodiacs will be waiting to take you to our vessel, the Ocean Endeavor. Once aboard, we’ll begin our adventure by sailing down dramatic Sondre Stromfjord as the sun sets, crossing the Arctic Circle line on the way. This fjord is one of the longest in the world, encompassing 168 km (104.3 mi) of wondrous polar scenery and serene waters.

On the second day, we’ll continue to explore western Greenland visiting its beating arctic heart, tucked away 40 km north of the Arctic Circle. The Sisimiut area has been populated by a diverse group of cultures for 4,500 years. First to settle were the Inuit people of the Saqqaq culture, followed by the Dorsets and then the Thule people - the ancestors of the current Inuit population. Its harbor remains ice-free harbor throughout the year, allowing them to fish and hunt to survive.

Today it’s the fastest growing Greenlandic community with about 5,600 residents. Sisimiut is the second largest city in Greenland with some of the deepest fjords, that are home to whales, seals and other marine mammals. This remote winter wonderland never sleeps: visitors can take in pristine nature while on a snowmobile ride, go fishing, take a hike or do some wildlife watching!

Today we visit one of Greenland’s most iconic destinations. Ilulissat, literally translated as “iceberg,” is a vibrant town in the vicinity of Ilulissat Icefjord—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ilulissat Icefjord is an outlet of the massive Sermeq Kujalleq, also known as Jakobshavn Glacier, which calves many icebergs into the North Atlantic. This glacial mass is a part of the Greenland ice sheet, the fastest moving ice sheet in the world, in part due to global warming. The mass flows at a speed of around 40 meters every 24 hours!

Here we’ll board Zodiacs and cruise among the enormous icebergs--taking in their pristine beauty and learning all about glaciology. After floating in this iceberg paradise, we’ll make our way to the colorful town of Ilulissat, famed for its cozy cafes and craft shops, antiquated museums and busy fishing harbor.

As our Northwest passage adventure unfolds, we’ll explore the polar scenery of Western Greenland, passing dramatic fjords and icebergs that are surrounded by towering cliffs.These exhilarating icy landscapes abound with wildlife, and we’ll keep an eye out for seals and colonies of dovekies (little auks).

Savor your moments on deck and don’t miss the picture-perfect stops as we sail past fields of icebergs and snowy mountain peaks!

We’ll have many opportunities for expeditions along the way to hop in the Zodiacs and check out some incredible Arctic wildlife! On our final day in Greenlandic waters, we’ll head west and cross Baffin Bay on the way to Nunavut. Be sure to make use of our onboard presentation schedule to stay up-to-date with everything that is going on.

As we steam toward Nunavut, our staff will deepen your understanding of the Arctic. This is an excellent time to enjoy workshops, watch a documentary, or get out on deck. Keep your binoculars ready for minke and humpback whales, as well as the seabirds that are sure to mark our passage.

Mittimatalik is a busy Arctic community in a beautiful setting, a fascinating place to wander. The cultural presentation at the Community Hall is not to be missed—arts and crafts may be available here too.

Seek Whales, Seabirds, and Polar Bears

We will spend ample time exploring Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound), one of the newest National Marine Conservation Areas in Nunavut. Narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whales transit and feed in this area.

Cruise by ship and Zodiac in search of wildlife with expert biologists and ecologists. Learn more about the crucial role the Inuit play in conserving the vibrant biodiversity of these waterways and the enduring connection between the ocean and the Inuit.

On the northern border of Tallurutiup Imanga lies Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island on Earth at over 50,000 square kilometers. Flat-topped mountains, glacial valleys, and a substantial ice cap give Devon Island its unique character. We will hike the tundra, cruise a glacier face, and seek wildlife from the ship and onshore.

Visit archaeological sites and the remains of an RCMP and Hudson's Bay Company site at Dundas Harbour.

Visit a Franklin Expedition Historical Site

In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out from England with HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, attempting to sail through the Northwest Passage. His crew overwintered at Beechey Island, where three of his men died.

Numerous search parties later used Beechey as a depot and rendezvous. Amundsen, Bernier, and Larsen visited Beechey. Thomas Morgan of the HMS Investigator was buried here in 1854 alongside Franklin’s men. The graves and ruins of Northumberland House are a haunting memorial.

Enjoy Birdwatching and Zodiac Cruising

This passage marks an area rich in marine and avian life. Thick-billed murres, ivory gulls, beluga whales, narwhals, and bowhead whales reside in the ice-strewn waters.

In addition to abundant wildlife, we’ll delve deeper into the exploration of the Northwest Passage and the mercantile efforts of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Witness the Most Northerly Point of Continental North America

Discover the famed Bellot Strait, a narrow passage separating Somerset Island from the Boothia Peninsula. As we sail through this two-kilometre-wide waterway, get the unique opportunity to reach the northernmost part of mainland North America.

Keep watch for an array of enchanting marine mammals from beluga whales to narwhals and seals.

Delve into the region's fascinating history and learn about Joseph René Bellot, French naval officer and Arctic explorer who joined an 1850s expedition in search for Sir John Franklin, who inspired the strait's namesake.

Sail the Northwest Passage

Navigate the ice-strewn waters of this fabled waterway in search of wildlife. Although this is Nunavut’s least-populated region, wildlife abounds here both in the sea and on land.

Visit a local community where Inuit hosts will share their knowledge of their home and the area's history.

Discover the legacy of this important waterway and the captivating story of Roald Amundsen, who overwintered in the bay for two years while searching for the Northwest Passage. Learn more about the triumphs of explorers like Amundsen and the vital role that Inuit knowledge played in successful crossings.

Wave a Fond Farewell

Located at the mouth of the Coppermine River, Kugluktuk is the westernmost community in Nunavut. Known for many years as Coppermine, the community reverted to its original Inuinnaqtun name—meaning “place of moving waters”—on January 1st, 1996.

Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), NU, is an alternate disembarkation point, and may be used based on sea, ice, and weather conditions.

Today we will disembark and make our way to the airport to meet our charter flights to Yellowknife, NT.

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) length and 21-m (69-ft) 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. Most cabin categories on the ship are available as a private cabin to single travelers at no additional cost.
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 the water level (assistance is provided).