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Baffin Bay Tips

 Beluga whales inhabit Baffin Bay. (Photo: beluga,whale,arctic,water,underwater,mammal,animal image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com )


Baffin Bay is the body of water between Baffin Island in Canada's Nunavut and Greenland’s southwestern coast. It lies north of the Arctic Circle, connecting the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, and is frozen for most of the year. Tourism in and around Baffin Bay centers around the region’s wildlife, but visitors also come to experience the remote landscapes and interesting local cultures. Visiting the extreme environments of Baffin Bay requires an adventurous attitude.


On the Canadian side of Baffin Bay, visit Baffin Island or Ellesmere Island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region (formerly known as the Baffin Region) of the territory of Nunavut. These are the largest islands in Baffin Bay, but there are numerous other islands, both inhabited and uninhabited. Protected areas around Baffin Bay include Sirmilik National Park, Coburg Island National Wildlife Area, Bylot Island Bird Sanctuary, Iqualirtuuq National Wildlife Area and Auyuittuq National Park Reserve. In Greenland, the communities of Savissivik, Upernavik, Uummannaq and Ilulissat lie on Baffin Bay.

Seasons and Climate

The main visitor season in the Baffin region is May to August. In winter, the climate of Baffin Bay is extremely harsh, warranting windproof, waterproof and heavily insulated clothing from head to toe. Sunglasses are essential at any time of year to ward off snow blindness. Mean temperatures in Ilulissat, Greenland, plunge to -4 degrees Fahrenheit in February and March, and reach an average high of 45 degrees in July. Summer temperatures in Nunavut (July to mid-August) average 45 to 54 degrees. The Baffin region north of the Arctic Circle experiences the never-setting “midnight sun” in the middle of summer, in the middle of winter, the sun never rises. In summer months, generally from May to July, a portion of Baffin Bay known as the North Water becomes navigable.


The communities of Nunavut, including those around Baffin Bay, are not served by any road or rail networks, meaning visitors must depend on air travel. Getting to and from a destination involves considerable expense, planning and flexibility; flight schedules are dependent on weather conditions, so you must have a flexible itinerary. Daily flights to the Qikiqtaaluk Region depart from Ottawa and Montreal. Smaller communities may be served by only a few flights each week, weather permitting. If you are visiting Greenland, fly into the capital, Nuuk. Air Greenland provides helicopter flights, including scheduled flights, charter flights and guided excursions.


The dramatic scenery of the Baffin region features glaciers, icebergs, mountains and fjords. The wildlife, both in Baffin Bay and on land, is a draw for tourists seeking a view of marine species like beluga whales, rare bowhead whales, seals, walruses and narwhals with their spiraled tusks up to 10 feet long. On land, look out for polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes and lemmings. One million seabirds live in western Baffin Bay, and the North Water is a vital feeding area them, according to the Pew Environment Group. The tundra of Baffin Island is a feeding grounds for half a million caribou. Aurora Borealis turns heads skyward both on the Greenland side of the Bay and in Canada.


Wildlife-viewing and birdwatching are some of the major activities in the Baffin Bay region, often in conjunction with sea kayaking, cross-country skiing, camping or dogsledding expeditions. Utilize the services of Inuit guides and local outfitters who have the expertise to guide you through the harsh environment.








Thomas, Joanne. "Baffin Bay Tips." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/baffin-bay-tips-16067.html. Accessed 19 December 2018.
Thomas, Joanne. (n.d.). Baffin Bay Tips. Travel Tips - USA Today. Retrieved from https://traveltips.usatoday.com/baffin-bay-tips-16067.html
Thomas, Joanne. "Baffin Bay Tips" accessed December 19, 2018. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/baffin-bay-tips-16067.html



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