Northwest Passage Cruises

The Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Contrary to what the name suggests, it is not a single, fixed route, but rather a network of straits, sounds, and channels between hundreds of Arctic islands. Which of these waterways is navigable in any given case depends primarily on ice and weather conditions—and thus also on which ports an expedition cruise actually calls at.

It is precisely this expedition-style nature that defines a journey through the Canadian Arctic: the route and daily schedule remain flexible and are adapted by the expedition team to on-site conditions. The trips offered here primarily explore the eastern sections of the passage and connect them to West Greenland via several routes.

What makes a journey through the Northwest Passage so special:

• An expedition through a labyrinth of islands, straits, pack ice, and glaciers
• Chances to encounter polar bears, walruses, whales, and musk oxen
• Insights into the Modern Life and Culture of the Inuit
• Historic sites of the Franklin Expedition and Roald Amundsen's first complete trans-Arctic voyage by ship
• Zodiac trips and shore excursions, supplemented by kayaking or helicopter excursions depending on the itinerary

Which route goes through the Northwest Passage?

Lancaster Sound, the eastern gateway to the passage. Pond Inlet and Devon Island. The narrow Bellot Strait between Somerset Island and the Boothia Peninsula. King William Island. On the map, these are names and waterways—but once on board, the ice determines which of them will actually be part of the journey. Many routes pass through this region and are supplemented by a detour around West Greenland to include the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Anyone looking for a trip through the Northwest Passage often thinks of the complete crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific, which Roald Amundsen was the first to accomplish by ship between 1903 and 1906—a journey from Greenland or Iceland to Alaska that takes several weeks. inventia currently offers expedition cruises through selected sections of the passage, combinations with West Greenland, and a route further south via Baffin Island and Labrador to Newfoundland. The trips offered last 14 to 17 days and have different focuses:

Inuit Culture Between Canada and Greenland: On the journey from Kugluktuk to West Greenland, the focus is on Inuit knowledge and culture—from the copperworking of the Inuinnait to the communities along the Ilulissat Icefjord.

Following in the footsteps of the Franklin Expedition: The journey takes us from Greenland to Beechey Island and to the bird cliffs of Prince Leopold Island, home to large seabird colonies.

Baffin Island's Wild East Coast: This trip begins and ends in Reykjavík and takes you, among other places, to Sam Ford Fjord and Icy Arm Fjord—two spectacular fjord systems on the east coast of Baffin Island.

Along the coasts of Greenland, Baffin Island, and Labrador: This itinerary adds a journey along the west coast of Greenland, the east coast of Baffin Island, and the coast of Labrador all the way to Newfoundland—featuring the UNESCO World Heritage Site L’Anse aux Meadows, the remains of an 11th-century Norse settlement.

Nature, Culture, and Expedition Adventures in the Northwest Passage

Beyond the itinerary itself, three things define the character of every journey through the Canadian Arctic: the landscape and its wildlife, encounters with the people who have lived here for millennia, and the nature of an expedition, which defies the typical cruise experience.

Icy Landscapes and Arctic Wildlife

Pack ice, drifting icebergs, and glacier tongues define the landscape of the Northwest Passage. From the deck, the scenery changes constantly: open water, drifting ice, and beyond it, the barren coasts of the Canadian Arctic. With a little luck, you might spot polar bears at the ice edge, walruses and seals along the coast, or musk oxen and caribou in the tundra. Various species of whales can also be observed in the Arctic waters.

Encounters with Inuit Communities

The Canadian Arctic and western Greenland have been home to Indigenous communities for thousands of years. On inventia trips, places like Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet, and Kullorsuaq offer insights into the daily lives and cultural traditions of the Inuit. On several trips, visits to these communities are a regular part of the itinerary.

Zodiac, Hikes, and Daily Life on an Expedition

Zodiac trips and guided hikes are among the typical activities, supplemented—depending on the route—by sea kayaking, polar plunges, or helicopter sightseeing flights. On board, the expedition team gives presentations providing background information on the region’s geology, history, and wildlife.

In the Footsteps of Franklin and Amundsen

In 1845, Sir John Franklin set out on the HMS Erebus and the HMS Terror to traverse the Northwest Passage. On Beechey Island, three graves still stand today as a memorial to the men of the expedition who died during the first winter. In September 1846, the ships became trapped in the ice northwest of King William Island and were abandoned by the remaining crew in April 1848. None of the 129 expedition members returned. It was not until 2014 that the wreck of the Erebus was found south of King William Island, followed in 2016 by the Terror in Terror Bay. Traditional Inuit knowledge played a decisive role in the search for both wrecks.

Roald Amundsen made the first complete crossing by ship between 1903 and 1906 aboard the Gjøa. On his way to King William Island, he anchored off Beechey Island and subsequently spent two winters in the region. Through his interactions with the Netsilik Inuit, he learned, among other things, how to build igloos and adopted Arctic clothing and other techniques adapted to the local conditions.

When is the best time to travel through the Northwest Passage?

Expeditions through the Northwest Passage take place during the Arctic summer. Many trips are scheduled for August and September, when ice conditions are relatively favorable. However, conditions vary considerably depending on the route and from year to year. Even in late summer, a complete crossing is not guaranteed: multi-year ice can block certain narrow passages. Toward the end of the season, the nights grow darker again—and with a little luck, the first northern lights will appear above the ship.