Arctic Bay is a traditional Inuit hamlet, situated on the shore of the Arctic Ocean in the northwest of Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. This small community is rich in tradition and heritage, surrounded by stunning scenery and home to unique polar wildlife. Visitors will receive a warm welcome, and can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking and dog sledding, trips to view marine animals, and experience the traditional Inuit culture of the region.

Arctic Bay has only recently started to invest in its tourist infrastructure, and remains a place of untouched natural beauty and well-preserved traditions.

Quick Facts

The Arctic Bay area has been inhabited by nomadic peoples for around 5,000 years.

Inuktitut is the local language, spoken alongside English.

The hamlet has a population of around 800.

The local name for the area is ‘Ikpiarjuk’, which means ‘the pocket’, named for the hills that surround and protect the bay.

Arctic Bay is one of the ten most northerly communities in the world, and the third in Canada, located well inside the Arctic Circle.

It experiences 24-hour daylight during the summer months, and during the winter the Northern Lights can be seen almost every night.

Arctic Bay Geology and Surroundings

The spectacular scenery is characterised by geological formations such as red rock cliffs and stone spires called hoodoos, as well as valleys and fjords formed by glacial activity. The local landscape is dominated by the flat-topped King George V Mountain to the southeast. Arctic Bay is on the shores of Adam Sound, which feeds into Admiralty Inlet, the longest fjord in the world.

Arctic Bay is also one of only two gateways to Sirmilik National Park, an area of 22,252 square kilometres named after the glaciers that comprise much of its geography. Here visitors can experience one of the most accessible and diverse areas of the arctic, and take part in hiking, skiing and sea kayaking.

History

There is evidence of inhabitation in the Arctic Bay area going back almost 5,000 years, when it was used as a hunting ground by nomadic Inuit peoples. It is also a site containing the source of a special slate used to make traditional knives. The English name was given in 1872, when a European whaling ship called the Arctic passed through. Today’s community was founded in 1933 with the establishment of a Hudson’s Bay Company post, and the first school was built in 1959. Subsequently, nomadic Inuit living on the land slowly began to move and settle permanently in the community. The hamlet was formally founded in 1976.

In the same year, the nearby Nanisivik lead-zinc mine was opened, which operated until 2002. The mine opened up the Arctic Bay area to the outside world, with the creation of transport links including the now decommissioned Nanisivik Airport. The mine closed in 2002, and the area is now served by Arctic Bay Airport and marine routes.

Arctic Bay Weather and Climate

Although it is in the Arctic Circle, the hamlet itself is shielded from the strongest polar winds by the surrounding hills, and the climate in the bay is unusually stable for the area. Precipitation is relatively low year-round, and there is almost no humidity in the region.

During the months of May, June and July, there is 24-hour daylight. Summer temperatures rarely top 15°C, and the sea ice stays intact until the end of July. In the winter months, temperatures stay around -35°C, although they can fall further on occasion. A visit during the darkest part of the year guarantees views of the Northern Lights.

As they say in northern climates, there’s no such thing as bed weather, only inappropriate clothing. Packing for an arctic trip takes some careful planning, so make sure you read up on the best way to dress for the conditions. Some general tips are to wear several layers of thinner, looser garments make from wool or silk to trap warm air, and make sure to bring thick socks, gloves, hats and waterproofs to protect against the wind.

Arctic Bay Activities and Wildlife

Arctic Bay is a popular stopping off point for cruise ships during the months when the seaways are open. Visitors can get a taste of the local culture and purchase souvenir handicrafts before reboarding their vessel.

For those who stay in the area, there are a wealth of activities to take part in, with local tour operators offering hiking, skiing, snow mobile tours, dog sledding, camping and kayaking around Arctic Bay and Sirmilik National Park. The striking scenery also makes it a perfect location for landscape photography.

The land and waters around Arctic Bay are teeming with wildlife typical to the polar regions. On the land can be found arctic hare, marmots, lemmings, arctic foxes, caribou, and occasionally arctic tundra wolves and polar bears. There are also vast colonies of sea birds nesting on the cliff faces, including black-legged kittiwake and thick-billed murre.

Many visitors come to Arctic Bay to see the marine fauna, which includes resident and migratory populations of some of the most intriguing and elusive mammals in the oceans. Several species of seal and walruses can be spotted off the shores, and during the spring and summer it is possible to see beluga whales, orcas and bowhead whales. Arctic Bay and the surrounding seas are also known as one of the best places to see the fascinating and mysterious narwhal, known as the unicorn of the sea. Opportunities to see these incredible creatures are extremely rare, as they are the whale species with the most northerly habitat and there are none in captivity anywhere in the world.

Arctic Bay Arts, Culture and Food

The culture and traditions of the Inuit people of Arctic Bay make a visit here a uniquely special experience which will never be forgotten. Festivities take place during the winter solstice and New Year, when the Northern Lights are at their peak, with community feasts, traditional games and competitions, and dancing through the night. Similar celebrations also happen in the spring, and at this time there is an annual dog sledding race between Arctic Bay and Igloolik, a hamlet to the south. The local population are warm and welcoming to visitors, and everyone is invited to get involved in the activities.

The Inuit in Arctic Bay remain closely tied to their land and traditions, and in June when the school year ends the majority of the inhabitants head out to the land for the season. The coastline is dotted with archaeological sites, and in nearby Uluksa Point you can see the remains of traditional sod houses. Some of the traditions kept alive in the community include throat singing, drumming and igloo building, all of which can be experienced by visitors.

Traditional arts and crafts make popular souvenirs for visitors to remember their trip by. Local artists create carvings from ivory, soapstone and caribou antlers, as well as traditional tools, clothing, jewellery and art. At the community-run Qimatuligvik Heritage Organization there is a gift shop selling a variety of hand-crafted objects from more than fifty native artisans.

Inuit food comes from the land and the sea, and includes the meat of caribou and seals, as well as fish such as arctic char. Crop cultivation is not possible this far north, so fruits and vegetables are collected from their natural habitat.

Arctic Way to Play: an Online Casino

When you are travelling at Arctic Bay it is wise at some days to take a step back and just breathe and take in everything that you have experienced there so far. Why not play online real money slots while you are enjoying some relaxing time between all the crazy and educating adventures? It can be fun just to sit inside with a nice cup of hot chocolate, go through all of the photos you have taken so far and spin some online slot reels or find that special live casino table where you can chat with the dealer and all the other players.

If you are lucky, you might end up with a nice pile of cash to make your visit at the Arctic Bay even more special!

Arctic Bay Travel and Accommodation

Arctic Bay is an extremely remote community, served by sea and air. Arctic Bay Airport, situated around 7km from the hamlet, has direct routes to Iqaluit, Pond Inlet and Resolute. Charter flights are also available from Kenn Borek Air. Travelling around the local area is either organised by the tour operator or local taxi service. The main tour operator for the Arctic Bay area is Arctic Bay Adventures, who offer packages all year round which include local travel, accommodation and food.

Independent visitors can stay at the Tangmaarvik Inn, which also offers the only restaurant in town. The inn is a newer addition to the existing bed and breakfast, and in total it can accommodate around thirty people at a time. Prices are around 250CAD/person/night.

Arctic Bay is a small hamlet, and doesn’t have its own tourist information centre. Information can be found from the Nunavut Tourism board, and visitors are encouraged to go to the Qimatuligvik Heritage Organization for local information on the ground. As such a small and remote destination, a trip to Arctic Bay requires some planning, and the easiest way to see this spectacular destination is to book an organised trip.