South Baffin Explorer –Art, Wildlife & Culture

Depart Ottawa this morning on your scheduled flight to Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut, situated on the south-eastern coast of Baffin Island. Upon arrival enjoy a walking tour of this historic settlement before boarding your expedition ship, RCGS Resolute, in the afternoon. After settling into your cabins and exploring the ship, meet your expedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the air as you enjoy a welcome cocktail and cast off to explore one of the most remote regions on Earth.

Located in the Davis Strait, the rocky dome of Monumental Island can be clearly seen as you approach. Travel by zodiac to explore the rocky shoreline and hope to encounter polar bears in this vicinity. In good weather a complete circumnavigation of the island is possible, and you should see your first large icebergs as they drift south towards Labrador and Newfoundland on the currents of the Davis Strait. Walruses have also been encountered in this area, so you keep a close look out on the shoreline for this iconic species. Over the next few days, and throughout the voyage, your onboard experts educate and entertain you with a series of presentations about Inuit culture and traditions, as well as the environment, wildlife and history of Baffin Island.

The tiny community of Kimmirt is home to just 400 people and was once a Hudson’s Bay Company Trading post. A particular focus of our visit is the local art scene and after cruising into a narrow channel travel ashore by zodiac, where you can enjoy a warm welcome from the locals. This community is well known for its arts and crafts including stone carvings, sealskin clothing, jewelry and fine bead work among other items. Many of Kimmirut's residents are renowned carvers whose art is collected worldwide. The small Soper Gallery is housed in an old wooden cottage and run by the Quliruakut Arts and Crafts Society. But it’s not all art: among the animals native to the area are caribou, Arctic wolves, walruses, seals, Arctic hare, and whales, as well as numerous bird species including peregrine falcons, ptarmigan, snow bunting and snowy owls. There are some great sea kayaking opportunities in this area and your guides can be keen to head out for a paddle.

Cape Dorset offers so much for visitors, no matter what their interest, and two-days allows time for a thorough exploration of the hamlet and surrounding areas. The community is home to more than 1,300 residents and is Baffin Island’s best-known art centre, referred to as the ‘Capital of Inuit Art’, with almost a quarter of the hamlet's residents actively engaged in the visual arts. Much of their artwork reflects the wilderness and environment of Baffin Island, with objects such as whales, narwhals, seals, walruses, bears, wolves, foxes and more providing a focus for artistic expression. These artworks reflect the deep connection the Inuit people have to one another, past generations, the land and nature, as well as a spiritual connection to the Earth. The celebrated Art Co-operative is the best place to view these striking works and observe the artists at work.

Cape Dorset is also blessed with superb Arctic landscapes, home to migratory caribou, seabirds, whales, seals and walruses which can be found in the vicinity. There are some excellent hiking opportunities through rolling hills to secluded waterfalls and lakes, providing great views and chances to observe the local wildlife or watch ice floes drift slowly by.

During the night we sail into the western reaches of Hudson Strait and today promises some exciting excursions. A zodiac cruise at the small outcrop of Walrus Island allows a close encounter with these fascinating animals. Returning to the ship make your way north to the small hamlet of Coral Harbour, situated on Southampton Island. This area has a fascinating history. 

Located at the north-western tip of the Ungava Peninsula, the Digges Islands mark the juncture of the Hudson Strait and north-eastern Hudson Bay, and their rocky cliffs are ideal for seabirds. Just to the east is the headland at Cape Wolstenholme, located at the most northerly point of the Province of Quebec. Here the cliffs soar to some 300 metres and are home to one of the largest colonies of thick-billed murres on Earth. There are also a number of walrus colonies in the area. Polar bears can be found throughout this region and you can encounter them from a safe distance while cruising in the zodiacs. Continue sailing east, around the northern tip of Quebec, and enter the very remote Erik Cove for an afternoon excursion. The remnants of a Hudson's Bay Company store lie on the southern shore and enjoy a walk with your guides along the waterfront, soaking up the beautiful scenery and learning something of the area’s early history.

During the night sail north-east across the Hudson Strait and this morning, find yourselves once again on the southern shores of Baffin Island. Shaftesbury Inlet is a narrow and strikingly beautiful fjord. This inlet is characterized by steep shorelines and high tides, with tide height changing as much as 10 - 12 meters daily. Plan to visit ashore at the mouth of a small river and hike up the river valley, eventually reaching a lake. This is a wonderful place to get out and stretch our legs as your naturalists and guides share their love of the Arctic with you.

Akpatok Island is a large uninhabited island situated in Ungava Bay, off Quebec's northern coastline. Ringed by steep cliffs, it is home to a staggering abundance of birdlife. Thick-billed murre, black guillemot, glaucous gulls and peregrine falcon all nest here. It's also a well-known location for walruses and polar bears, the latter often observed climbing the steep cliffs. Ice floes often surround parts of the island, and these attract both seal and walruses, making this a popular hunting ground for polar bears. In the late summer the bears retreat to the land, scavenging whatever protein source they can find, until the ice re-forms, and the more abundant food sources return. The island has historically been a traditional hunting ground for Inuit people, also attracted by walruses, polar bears and whales. Cruise along the shore line in zodiacs, allowing close-up views of the huge numbers of birds nesting on the cliffs, and hopefully spot some polar bears scouting the landscape.

To the north of Aktapatok, the extraordinary Lower Savage Islands are bisected by narrow channels that provide spectacular zodiac cruising opportunities. The islands are ideally situated between the dynamic flow of the Hudson Strait, and this mixing of nutrient rich waters makes for a diversity of marine life. Rejoin your ship on the other side of the island group and tonight, as you near the end of our journey, enjoy an entertaining voyage recap from the Expedition Leader. Celebrate with a special dinner attended by the Captain of the ship and reflect on the culture, art and landscapes of this inimitable region.

This morning find yourselve anchored off Iqaluit. Say goodbye to your crew, make your way ashore in zodiacs and are then transferred to the airport for your scheduled flight to Ottawa. On arrival in Ottawa our journey comes to an end. A transfer is provided to a downtown location.