The narwhal, with its long spiral tusk, is one of the most mysterious animals in the ocean, and the Canadian Arctic is the best place in the world to see it. Each spring, as the sea ice begins to break up, narwhals, belugas, bowhead whales, seals and polar bears gather along the “floe edge”, the boundary between solid sea ice and open water. Inuit-guided camps allow visitors to watch this extraordinary scene.
At a glance
| Best time | Late May to late June (floe edge); August (expedition cruises) |
| Getting there | Fly to Ottawa, then to Iqaluit and Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay |
| Time needed | 7 to 10 days |
| Big draws | Narwhals, polar bears, belugas, bowheads, seabirds, Inuit culture |
| Good for | Adventurous travellers, wildlife photographers |
Narwhals
- Narwhals are Arctic whales; males (and a few females) have a tusk, actually a long tooth, that can reach about 3 metres. Its function is still debated, possibly sensing the environment and display. See our narwhal profile.
- Most of the world’s narwhals live in Canadian and Greenlandic waters. Lancaster Sound and the waters around Baffin Island are key summer areas.
Floe edge camps
- Camps near Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay, on northern Baffin Island, are set on the sea ice a safe distance from the floe edge.
- Visitors travel by snowmobile or by traditional qamutik (sled) with Inuit guides, sleep in heated tents and spend long, bright days watching the edge in the midnight sun.
- Narwhals and belugas surface along the ice edge, sometimes very close. Polar bears patrol the edge hunting seals, and seabirds such as thick-billed murres and ivory gulls gather.
- Safety depends entirely on experienced guides, who monitor ice conditions carefully.
Expedition cruises
In August, expedition cruises through the Northwest Passage and around Baffin Island and Lancaster Sound visit narwhal areas, Inuit communities and historic sites. See our Arctic cruise guide.
Other wildlife
- Polar bears: see our polar bear profile.
- Belugas and bowhead whales. See our beluga whale and bowhead whale profiles.
- Ringed and bearded seals, walruses and Arctic foxes.
Inuit communities
Tourism in Nunavut is increasingly led by Inuit. Staying in communities such as Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) supports local livelihoods. Narwhal hunting is part of Inuit culture and is managed under quotas.
When to go
- Late May to late June: the floe edge season, with 24-hour daylight.
- August: expedition cruises and boat-based trips in open water.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to see narwhals? The floe edge near Pond Inlet and Arctic Bay in Nunavut, in June.
Is floe edge camping safe? With experienced Inuit guides who monitor ice conditions, it is carefully managed, but it is a genuine wilderness trip.
Can I see polar bears on a floe edge trip? Often, as they hunt seals along the ice edge.
How cold is it? Temperatures in June are usually around -5 to +5°C, but wind makes it feel colder; operators provide warm gear.
Related guides
- Arctic wildlife cruises
- Beluga whales in Churchill
- Churchill polar bear tours
- Animal profiles: Narwhal, Polar bear, Bowhead whale
Cover photo: пресс-служба ПАО "Газпром нефть", CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons