Narwhals and Polar Bears on Canada’s Floe Edge

Most travelers (even the diehard ones) have never set foot on remote Baffin Island, the massive frozen landmass that lies between Greenland and the Hudson Bay.

But Adventure Canada affords that chance with a land-based Baffin Island Floe Edge trip next spring (May 24-31) in search of polar bears, narwhals and some of planet Earth’s most amazing geology.

Named for British explorer William Baffin who sailed these waters in the 16th century in search of the Northwest Passage, it’s actually the world’s fifth largest island. Only Texas and Alaska are larger than Baffin Island among all the U.S. states.

But only around 10,000 people live on the island — most of them indigenous Inuit people. Which makes Baffin one of the world’s least populated places and most pristine environments.

The Adventure Canada trip starts with a flight from Ottawa to Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) on the island’s north shore, exploring the floe edge by komatik (a traditional wooden sled pulled behind a snowmobile) before camping in the Arctic wilderness.

Over the next four days, the adventure continues along Baffin’s floe edge and nearby Bylot Island, part of remote Sirmilik National Park hoping for narwhal, bowhead, walrus, various seals — even polar bear! If conditions permit, the party will venture to the seabird colony north of Cape Graham Moore.

Remote wilderness, Arctic landscapes, northern wildlife and fascinating local culture promise to make this the trip of a lifetime.

Highlights:

• Camping on the floe edge to view marine life
• Searching for and photographing the elusive narwhal
• Seeking polar bear and other wildlife with Inuit guides
• Enjoying cultural experiences in Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet)
• Visiting the extraordinary nesting cliffs of Arctic seabirds
• Relishing the High Arctic summer beneath the midnight sun

What’s Included:

• 2 nights in hotels, 5 nights comfortable tents near the floe edge (equipment provided)
• Ground transportation
• All meals (from dinner day 1 to lunch day 8)
• Guiding services
• Travel by komatik (sled) to the floe edge

What’s Not Included:

• Round-trip airfare from Ottawa to Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) (approximately C$2,500 + tax)
• Commercial and group flights
• Personal items
• Mandatory emergency medical and evacuation insurance
• Discretionary trip cancellation and interruption insurance