Adventure Travel on Baffin Island

Nunavut Expedition Cruises Explore the Canadian Arctic

Oct 7, 2008
Lori Henry

Mike with Walrus Skull on Baffin Island, Nunavut - Lori Henry

Soft adventure travel begins when you cruise along Baffin Island, Nunavut in Canada's arctic north.

Expedition cruises to Baffin Island in Nunavut Canada, are what some would call soft adventure travel. Guests must be fit enough to get in and out of moving zodiacs (motorized rubber boats), which are either tied up to the ship or free floating on the shores of a beach. Crew members are always there to help, but if the water’s rough, it can be a bit of a balancing act.

“I just love doing things like this,” says Gretta, a 91-year old passenger on Adventure Canada’s arctic cruise to Baffin Island. “No one else is going to do it for me!” She has come on this trip to Nunavut with her lifelong friend Elizabeth, who is 81-years old.

As Gretta’s attendance can attest to, age doesn’t matter as much as overall health. The average age of passengers on Adventure Canada’s cruises seems to be around 55 years old, yet the younger crowd is starting to take heed.

Now a nice mix of retired folks, those on their holidays and the younger crowd who have been saving up, join together to become an interesting cast of characters- it’s a guaranteed good time. The variety of personalities and extraordinary experiences makes conversations spark all day and often into the early morning.

Adventure Travel Cruises

Companies like Adventure Canada make cruising fun. Rather than sitting stationary poolside or gorging on midnight buffets, their expeditions are geared towards those who are interested in the destination’s culture and history. A luxury cruise these are not, and it’s a good thing, too.

Going to a destination like Baffin Island, Nunavut, is in itself an exhilarating plan. Add to that the soft adventure component and it becomes one of those unbelievable trips. The zodiac rides themselves are sometimes a perilous part of the day!

There are many opportunities for hiking, which is one of the most rewarding parts of exploring the land. Depending on the passengers, there are usually a few different hikes per day excursion, giving all levels a chance to get out on the land and discover whalebones, artefacts, crystal, wildlife and gorgeous flora and fauna. For those with a high fitness level, long hikes, often up steep rocks and paths, are waiting at some of the stops.

Adventure Canada

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Adventure Canada. They take brave souls to exotic locations like Baffin Island and give them an education worthy of university classes. Scientists, entertainers, culturalists and artists converge on the ships to offer guests all they know about the local wildlife, plants, culture and history. These same staff members act as guides who can take passengers on walks and hikes through remote areas one would be hesitant to explore alone.

The unique thing about Adventure Canada is their level of zaniness that has people, who would never think of themselves as creative or silly, doing outrageous things: there’s a polar dip (or swim if so inclined), contests like a whisky label poetry competition, dress up dinners, cowboy dances, much group singing and even some dancing. With only 100 passengers aboard, the personal atmosphere makes it easy to let down your hair and get into the northern spirit.