Where to travel in the Arctic for wildlife, scenery, historical sites, outdoor activities and culture
- Adventure Coordinators
- Apr 15
- 6 min read
One of the last frontiers of adventure travel, the Arctic region, offers an incredible variety of tours and cruises. So which to choose? We make it easy. Here's where to travel in the Arctic for wildlife, scenery, historical sites, outdoor activities and culture.
For wildlife - Canadian Arctic and Svalbard
Most of Svalbard, an archipelago in the Norwegian Arctic of which Spitsbergen is the largest island, is protected under strict conservation legislation. Framed by a dramatic landscape of towering glaciers, drifting icebergs, and winding fjords, the island group is a haven for wildlife. Here, you might encounter polar bears roaming the ice, reindeer grazing the tundra, walruses lounging on the shore, and a rich variety of seabirds soaring overhead.
The polar bear population is estimated to be around 3,000 animals, or 10% of the world's population. About 300 of them are known to stay in Svalbard year-round and we observe them from a safe distance from our expedition cruise ships or zodiacs.
Polar bears of course are very easily spotted around Churchill Manitoba, where you have a choice of different ways to encounter them up-close.
Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic you might encounter muskox, Arctic fox, walrus, whales, seals and many species of migratory birds. But as wildlife is still hunted here, it is a little more shy than in Svalbard.
For scenery - Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland
Svalbard stands out as a place of striking natural splendour. From its sweeping glaciers and rugged coastlines to its sheer cliffs, expansive tundra, and tranquil fjords, this Arctic wilderness reveals a raw, captivating beauty at every turn.
Immense and awe-inspiring, Greenland’s summer landscape is defined by its remarkable ice—soaring glaciers, sculpted icebergs, and endless frozen expanses that shimmer under the Arctic sun. From July to September, the region opens up to exploration by sea, on foot, or even from the air. Greenland also lays claim to the world’s most extensive fjord system, shaped over millennia by powerful glacial forces. With towering cliffs, drifting ice, and mirror-like waters, these fjords offer a striking blend of stillness and grandeur, whether viewed from a ship’s deck or from high above.
Meanwhile in Iceland, sweeping black sand shores lead into a wild and varied landscape, where ancient glaciers carve through valleys, and jagged peaks and volcanoes rise dramatically above. Fjords edged with towering rock faces and cascading waterfalls add to the striking patchwork of terrain, making this a truly unique and ever-changing environment.
Historical sites - The Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Newfoundland & Labrador
Canada’s history as a country took shape in the 19th century, as explorers searched for the fabled Northwest Passage. While Franklin’s expedition wasn’t the first, its mysterious fate captured the world’s imagination. As rescue missions followed in his wake, much of the Arctic was charted. At Beechey Island, you can still visit the graves of Franklin’s crew and the remains of Northumberland House—a haunting reminder of this era.
Scattered across the Arctic are traces of earlier chapters, including abandoned RCMP and Hudson’s Bay posts. Along Labrador’s coast lies Hebron, a preserved Moravian mission where, in 1959, Inuit residents were told they’d be forcibly relocated. The church still stands as a solemn witness to that history.
Even older are the remnants of Pre-Dorset, Dorset, and Thule camps—evidence of rich Indigenous cultures that thrived here long before contact. The Dorset, a Paleo-Eskimo people, are especially known for their unique tools and art.
Further west, Norse explorers from Greenland interacted with these early Arctic cultures. You can still visit Norse sites like l’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, and Brattahlíð and Hvalsey in Greenland—where a reconstructed longhouse and the best-preserved Norse ruin, Hvalsey Church, bring Viking stories vividly to life.
Hiking - Torngat, Greenland, Canadian Arctic, Svalbard, Iceland
Hiking in the Arctic is a journey like no other—across sweeping tundra where nature and culture are deeply intertwined. Whether exploring Devon Island’s glacier-sculpted landscapes or following the wildflower-lined Itijjagiaq Trail near Kimmirut, each step invites reflection and a deep connection to this vast, timeless land.
In Nunavik’s Ungava Peninsula, hikes reveal dramatic geology and vibrant flora, enriched by Inuit cultural educators who share generations of land-based knowledge. These experiences blend discovery with introspection, grounding you in both nature and heritage.
Torngat Mountains National Park offers some of Canada’s most dramatic hiking terrain, where jagged peaks and blooming tundra stretch to the horizon. Guided by Inuit from Nunatsiavut, you’ll gain insight into the spiritual meaning of this sacred landscape.
Across the Arctic, other trails await—from Greenland’s rugged west coast to the colourful tundra of Svalbard, each walk revealing layers of history and wild beauty. In Iceland, a glacier trek in Skaftafell or a climb up Heimaey Island’s Eldfell Volcano offers striking vistas and a fresh perspective on the land shaped by fire and ice.
Zodiac cruising - everywhere
Zodiac cruising in the Arctic is an unforgettable way to experience the raw, untamed beauty of the North. From the glacial fjords of Greenland’s Sermersooq region to the icy waters of Canada’s High Arctic, these small, nimble boats bring you up close to towering cliffs, calving glaciers, and abundant wildlife. As you glide quietly through places like Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord—aptly nicknamed the “fjord of eternity”—you’ll be surrounded by cascading waterfalls, rugged peaks, and vibrant birdlife, including white-tailed eagles and thick-billed murres.
The experience is both serene and exhilarating. One moment, you're cruising beneath cliffs teeming with seabirds; the next, you're scanning the shoreline for polar bears, walrus, or whales breaking the surface. On Lady Franklin Island or in Ungava Bay, naturalists and Inuit expedition guides offer insight into the geology and ecology that shape these regions, enriching your journey with local knowledge and perspective.
Whether it’s the dramatic coastline of Heimaey in Iceland, the lush slopes of the Labrador coast, or the pristine waterways of Prins Christian Sund, every Zodiac excursion offers a chance to witness the Arctic’s magic from a front-row seat. It's intimate, immersive, and nothing short of extraordinary.
Sea kayaking - choose the right cruise company
Picture yourself paddling quietly through icy Arctic waters, weaving among towering glaciers and drifting icebergs. Sea kayaking offers a unique and peaceful way to connect with the polar landscape, far from the noise of engines or crowds. Designed for experienced kayakers, this small-group activity takes place multiple times throughout the voyage, depending on weather and sea conditions.
Kayaking is offered only by a select number of cruise companies and as an alternative to traditional shore landings or Zodiac cruises.
Northern Lights and Midnight Sun - timing is everything
Arctic expedition vessels follow a set route, determined by ice conditions. Due to the tempering influence of the Gulf Stream, the waters around Svalbard are the first to open, so in spring, one group of ships make a trip up the Norwegian coast to Svalbard, where they typically spend the summer. Svalbard is thus the place to experience the Midnight Sun.
From Svalbard ships sail west into East Greenland, arriving in September, when nights are longer, and chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis increase.
Another group of ships will sail through the north Atlantic to visit places like Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland in early summer. Come July they sail up the Greenland coast into the North-West Passage, another fabulous place to experience the Midnight Sun.
After reaching their furthest point west, ships turn around and sail out of the North West Passage and down the Labrador Coast. As we are now in September and October, again these are great times to look for the Northern Lights.
Culture - Baffin Island
In the heart of the Canadian Arctic, the Inuit communities on Baffin Island offer a warm welcome, sharing traditions, food, and stories that reflect deep connections to the land. On Adventure Canada expeditions, you’ll gain insight into these cultures through workshops, presentations, Inuit games, and performances featuring drum dancing, throat singing, and storytelling.
Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) is a lively community with stunning views of Bylot Island. While exploring, enjoy the chance to meet locals, browse handcrafted items, and take in a moving performance by the Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group.
In Kinngait, a hub of Inuit art, visit studios where renowned carvers and printmakers bring northern stories to life. In Kimmirut, one of Baffin Island’s oldest settlements, explore its trading post history and community landmarks.
Panniqtuuq (Pangnirtung), nestled among dramatic peaks and a winding fjord, is home to the Uqqurmiut Inuit Arts Centre. Here, artists produce bold prints, handwoven tapestries, and the colourful crocheted “Pang” hats—beloved symbols of this creative Arctic community.
So where will you go?
So what experiences would you like? Are you an outdoorsy type, or someone who would like to have an introspective visit to historical sites? Or perhaps you prefer to enjoy nature in all its raw beauty.
No matter where you want to go or what you want to experience, Adventure Coordinators has a trip for you. Contact us today to start planning!
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