Experience Arctic springtime on the sea ice! Surrounded by rugged mountains and stunning glaciers, Baffin Island is one of the best places in the world to look for polar bears and narwhals. An incredible adventure for first time visitors as well as seasoned polar travelers.
During this expedition you will stay in a Tented Safari Camp, set directly on the Arctic sea ice. From the base camp, daily excursions take you across the ice to explore the area. One of the key goals is to reach the floe edge, where the frozen sea meets open water. For only a few short weeks during spring, marine mammals such as narwhals, seals, and occasionally bowhead or beluga whales can be spotted along the ice edge.
Highlights of this Expedition
- Chance to see Narwhal & Polar Bears
- Stay in a Safari Camp on the ice
- Travel across frozen landscapes
- Incredible nature photography
- Opportunity for snorkeling & kayaking
There’s also a chance to see polar bears at a distance and witness the seasonal arrival of migratory birds. Weather and ice conditions can be unpredictable, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The raw, remote setting is an experience itself, especially for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Arctic environment and the traditional way of life.
When conditions allow, and the floe edge is within reach, you might be offered an opportunity to go kayaking or snorkeling in this magnificent Arctic scene! Carefully paddle around or swim along the floe edge to discover the beauty and wonder of the Arctic’s icy under water world.
This expedition is about more than viewing wildlife. For centuries, Inuit communities have shared this Arctic wilderness with the polar animals. Guests are encouraged to respect their traditions, which include sustainable hunting practices of which you may see signs during your expedition. These experiences provide a rare window into a way of life that exists in harmony with the Arctic environment, making your journey as educational as it is unforgettable.
High Arctic Floe Edge Expedition
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Round-trip flights Ottawa to Arctic Bay
- Services of Inuit Guides and Arctic Kingdom expedition staff
- Accommodations:
- 1 night, Arctic Bay accommodation
- 6 nights, Floe Edge Base Camp
- 1 night, hotel in Iqaluit
- All meals:
- 8 Breakfasts | 7 Lunches | 8 Dinners | 2 In-Flight Snacks
- All transportation for duration of stay in camp & Pond Inlet
- Use of kayaks and snorkeling equipment
- International or domestic flights to/from Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
- Tips, gratuities, personal expenses
- Travel, medical and evacuation insurance, cancellation insurance. Evacuation insurance is mandatory and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended as any additional costs associated with weather and/or layovers in Pond Inlet, Iqaluit or Ottawa are not included
- Polar Clothing Rental Package – strongly encouraged
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!Map
Downloadthe brochure for this expedition
Map
Downloadthe brochure for this expedition
Sample itinerary
The itinerary is an example, and plans change often when you are out in the High Arctic. The succes of these trips depends largely on the ice and weather conditions. Two things which are beyond our control. We count on your realistic expectations and your personal flexibility.
Day 1 & 2 | Journey from Ottowa to Arctic Bay
Your expedition leader will meet you in Ottawa (Canada) for the flight to Arctic Bay. The small Arctic Bay Inuit community is nestled among dramatic mountains and coastal cliffs. Upon arrival you will be transfered to your hotel and get to enjoy a dinner and welcome briefing, followed by an Inuit cultural presentation, offering a glimpse into their traditions.
After breakfast, you will prepare for the next stretch of your trip. A team of Inuit guides will be ready to assist you. The ride to the Arctic Safari Camp is done by snowmobiles and qamutik, a traditional wooden Inuit sleigh with comfortable seats. The duration of this ride will vary depending on the weather conditions but will include regular stops.
The drive to the camp is the real start of your adventure! It’s time to leave behind civilization and head out into the wild. Take in the exhilarating Arctic scenery as you glide across the ice.
Day 3-7 | Exploring the floe edge
For the next few days, the Safari Camp is your home base. The camp is set up on the sea ice, just a few kilometres from the floe edge and surrounded by stunning polar landscape. Warm two-person safari tents make sleeping on the ice an unforgettable experience, even in the coldest weather. The camp also features a cosy dining and lounge area with central fireplace. A culinary team with professional chefs will prepare hot, gourmet meals at the camp and on site at the floe edge.
Surrounded by an ever-changing landscape of ice and water, nature dictates the daily plans. Weather and ice conditions permitting, you will go out for daily excursions with the qamutik in search for wildlife and to enjoy the spectacular views.
You might spend up to 10 hours a day at the floe edge, offering you as much time as possible to see wildlife. Lunch is served on location and you will have a pop-up tent for warming up and seats as you wait for animals to appear. With some luck, you may get to observe the iconic tusked narwhal as they swim past the floe edge. Other animals you might encounter are polar bears, bearded seals, ringed seals, walrus, bowhead whales, beluga’s and an array of migratory birds. The ice floe edge offers unmatched photography opportunities for capturing these polar animals.
While out exploring, you may encounter local Inuit. Please be aware of their traditional hunting lifestyle which sometimes includes harvesting whales at the floe edge. You might also see evidence of hunting, including animal carcasses or seal skins, as you wander through the communities. Guides may demonstrate traditional tracking techniques, offering insight into skills passed down for thousands of years. Keep in mind these traditions take place in harmony with nature.
Day 8 & 9 | End of your expedition
After breakfast on day 8, you will return to Arctic Bay by qumatik sled. Take in the marvelous scenery one more time before arriving back in town. Enjoy your last evening in the high Arctic with with a hearty dinner in the community before boarding your evening flight to Iqaluit, Nunavut’s capital. A hotel night in Iqaluit is included.
On your final day, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight from Iqaluit to Ottawa, arriving by mid-afternoon.
Impression
Dates & Rates
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Round-trip flights Ottawa to Arctic Bay
- Services of Inuit Guides and Arctic Kingdom expedition staff
- Accommodations:
- 1 night, Arctic Bay accommodation
- 6 nights, Floe Edge Base Camp
- 1 night, hotel in Iqaluit
- All meals:
- 8 Breakfasts | 7 Lunches | 8 Dinners | 2 In-Flight Snacks
- All transportation for duration of stay in camp & Pond Inlet
- Use of kayaks and snorkeling equipment
- International or domestic flights to/from Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
- Tips, gratuities, personal expenses
- Travel, medical and evacuation insurance, cancellation insurance. Evacuation insurance is mandatory and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended as any additional costs associated with weather and/or layovers in Pond Inlet, Iqaluit or Ottawa are not included
- Polar Clothing Rental Package – strongly encouraged
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!Other dates
Prices
All prices are per person and depending on availability. Please contact us for more details.
- Round-trip flights Ottawa to Arctic Bay
- Services of Inuit Guides and Arctic Kingdom expedition staff
- Accommodations:
- 1 night, Arctic Bay accommodation
- 6 nights, Floe Edge Base Camp
- 1 night, hotel in Iqaluit
- All meals:
- 8 Breakfasts | 7 Lunches | 8 Dinners | 2 In-Flight Snacks
- All transportation for duration of stay in camp & Pond Inlet
- Use of kayaks and snorkeling equipment
- International or domestic flights to/from Ottawa, Canada (YOW)
- Tips, gratuities, personal expenses
- Travel, medical and evacuation insurance, cancellation insurance. Evacuation insurance is mandatory and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended as any additional costs associated with weather and/or layovers in Pond Inlet, Iqaluit or Ottawa are not included
- Polar Clothing Rental Package – strongly encouraged
Would you like some more information?
Contact us!FAQ
This expedition takes place at the northern reaches of Baffin Island. Here lies Arctic Bay, one of the most picturesque communities in the Canadian Arctic. From here, you will embark on your journey across the ice toward the floe edge in Admiralty Inlet. This remote wilderness offers breathtaking scenery with sheer cliffs rising above the frozen Arctic Ocean.
The floe edge is the place where the frozen sea ice meets the Arctic Ocean, a dynamic boundary often called the “line of life.” During spring, as the sea ice starts opening up, Arctic whales migrate past, looking for leads to enter the channel.
This unique environment is rich with wildlife and offers rare opportunities to observe narwhals, belugas, seals, and seabirds against a backdrop of towering cliffs and glacial landscapes. It’s one of the most vibrant and photogenic spots in the Arctic, especially under the glow of the Midnight Sun.
The camp is a cozy Tented Safari Camp set directly on the sea ice, offering an authentic Arctic experience with modern comfort. Spacious, heated tents accommodate two guests and include twin beds with duvets, pillows, and seating for daytime relaxation. Shared bathroom facilities are located in a heated tent with waterless toilets, hot-water sinks, and showers, plus essential toiletries.
At the heart of the camp is a warm dining tent with a family-style table and breakfast bar, where an executive chef prepares hearty, locally inspired meals.
Generators allow you to charge devices before bed, ensuring convenience while preserving the peaceful Arctic atmosphere.
Traveling over the ice is done the traditional Arctic way by Inuit qamutik sleds pulled by snowmobiles. Each wooden sled carries two to four guests and is equipped with padded seats for comfort. The journey offers an authentic experience and stunning views across the frozen landscape.
The journey from Arctic Bay to camp can take 2-4 hours by qamutik sled. Daily searches for open water and/or wildlife may take several hours by sled. While not highly strenuous, this expedition requires balance, stability, and a sense of adventure.
As the season progresses, the ice surface can become bumpier, making the ride rougher. Guests with back or mobility concerns should contact Arctic Kingdom in advance to ensure the expedition is suitable for them.
Travel arrangements between your point of origin and Ottawa International Airport
(YOW) are the responsibility of each participant. From Ottawa, flights north to Iqaluit and onward connections to Arctic Bay are included in your package.
To ensure a stress-free return, we encourage guests to allow buffer time in their travel plans to accommodate possible weather-related delays.