Remote and virtually untouched, the world’s fifth largest island is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best places in the Arctic for expedition travel. Here’s a brief introduction to Baffin Island and five reasons why it should be on every explorer’s list.  

Where is Baffin Island?

Baffin Island sits above the Arctic Circle on the easternmost edge of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, close to southeast Greenland. A vast, wild, and sparsely populated area, it is the cornerstone of the sprawling Canadian Arctic Archipelago. One possible route when attempting the legendary Northwest Passage starts from Greenland, crosses Baffin Bay, and enters the passage via the northern part of Baffin Island.

When is the best time to go?

Late August is the best time to visit. The weather in Baffin Island remains relatively mild with an average temperature of 40°F (7°C). It is one of the few months in the year when much of the sea ice has thawed, allowing access to more areas of the island. Sightings of migratory seabirds and other wildlife are high, often together with their young. Being past the peak of summer, rather than a 24-hour Midnight Sun, you’ll get to enjoy stunning sunsets instead. And while there are no guarantees, the aurora borealis has also been known to start gracing the night skies as early as September and even August.

Why go to Baffin Island?

There are five main aspects that beckon intrepid travellers to its shores: the landscapes, the wildlife, the culture, the history, and the sheer adventure.

The Landscapes

Towering mountains as high as 7,000 feet (2,100 metres) form the backbone of the island’s geography along the north-eastern coasts. This is also where two of Canada's largest national parks are found. Auyuittuq, meaning "the land that never melts", lies on the island's eastern Cumberland Peninsula, and Sirmilik, the "place of glaciers", in the northwest. True to their names, these areas, as well as much of the rest of Baffin Island, are a wonderful combination of spectacular fjords, numerous glaciers, steep granite peaks, and limestone cliffs.