Best Things to Do in Nunavut: Wildlife, Parks & Inuit Culture

Canada’s vast northern territory of Nunavut offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with pristine Arctic environments, vibrant Indigenous cultures, and extraordinary wildlife. Spanning three million square kilometers, this land of ice, tundra, and fjords beckons adventurers seeking authentic experiences far from crowded tourist paths. From capital city explorations to remote park treks, here’s a guide to the most rewarding activities.

Encounter Majestic Arctic Wildlife

Nunavut is a haven for the **Arctic Big Five**: polar bears, musk oxen, belugas, walruses, and narwhals. These iconic species thrive in the territory’s rugged habitats, providing thrilling viewing opportunities year-round.

• Polar Bears and Walruses: Boat tours around Hudson Bay or Coats Island reveal polar bears on ice floes and walruses hauled out on rocky shores. Guided expeditions ensure safe, ethical encounters.
• Beluga Whales and Narwhals: Summer fjords teem with pods of white belugas; narwhals, the ‘unicorns of the sea,’ surface in frigid waters during migration.
• Musk Oxen and Caribou: Spot musk oxen near Cambridge Bay or the world’s largest caribou herd (over 500,000 strong) roaming Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary.

Opt for Indigenous-led tours for insights into traditional hunting practices and animal behaviors, enhancing your appreciation of this delicate ecosystem.

Delve into Inuit Heritage and Art

Inuit culture pulses through Nunavut’s communities, showcased in museums, galleries, and festivals that preserve millennia-old traditions.

In Iqaluit, the capital, start at the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre, featuring exhibits on Inuit life alongside a striking polar bear display. Adjacent, the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum houses Thule-era tools, kayaks, clothing, and rotating art shows in a historic Hudson’s Bay Company building.

• Browse soapstone carvings at Carvings Nunavut or prints from Cape Dorset artists at local shops like Northern Collectables.
• Visit the Uqqurmiut Centre in Pangnirtung for intricate arts and crafts reflecting daily Inuit life.

Festivals amplify the experience: Toonik Tyme in spring celebrates the end of winter with games and dances, while Alianait in June blends music, throat singing, and drum dancing.

Explore Territorial Parks Near Iqaluit

No trip is complete without venturing into Nunavut’s accessible parks, offering glimpses of tundra beauty and ancient history without extensive travel.

Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park

Just beyond Iqaluit, this park splits along the Baffin River, revealing cascading waterfalls, Arctic char fishing, and expansive views. Hike trails along the east bank, scramble rocky hills, or camp under endless summer skies.

Qaummaarviit Territorial Park

A short boat or snowmobile ride from Iqaluit leads to this 750-year-old Thule winter camp on a bay island. Wander boardwalks past 11 sod houses, a grave site, and artifact displays, gaining insight into prehistoric hunters.

These parks provide easy day trips, with guides available from the visitor center.

Tackle Iconic National Parks

Nunavut’s national parks deliver world-class adventures amid dramatic landscapes.

Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island hosts the Akshayuk Pass, a 100km trek through valleys, hills, and frozen waterfalls. Register with Parks Canada for this 8-12 day journey, marked by inukshuks and huts. Summit Mt. Thor for elite climbers drawn to its sheer granite face, named for the thunder god.

Quttinirpaaq and Sirmilik offer polar bear spotting, walrus colonies, and bird migrations amid sheer cliffs.

Embrace Traditional Arctic Travel

Experience Inuit ingenuity via dogsledding across frozen tundra or snowmobiling to the Arctic Circle. In Iqaluit, overnight in igloos or fish through ice for Arctic char.

Summer brings kayaking, boating, and diving in coastal waters, while hot air balloon rides or skidoo tours provide aerial tundra views.

Artistic and Culinary Delights

Beyond viewing, engage with Inuit creativity through art tours teaching carving, printmaking, and jewelry. Sample country foods like char or musk ox, and unwind at NuBrew, Canada’s northernmost microbrewery, with hoppy IPAs.

Planning Your Nunavut Journey

Best times: March-April for winter sports, July-August for midnight sun hikes. Book Indigenous-owned outfitters for authentic tours. Prepare for remoteness: pack layers, register hikes, and respect wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Nunavut transforms visitors through its raw beauty and cultural depth, creating lifelong memories of the true Arctic.