About the Port
Scattered at the entrance to Hudson Strait, the Button Islands form a rugged, largely uninhabited archipelago in the southernmost reaches of Nunavut. Named for the English explorer Sir Thomas Button, who charted Arctic waters in the early seventeenth century, the islands remain shaped more by ice, rock, and current than by human presence. Their windswept shores and cold, nutrient-rich waters place them at a natural crossroads for Arctic marine life.
Small-boat excursions here move through channels where beluga whales, seals, and occasionally narwhals surface amid the currents flowing into Hudson Strait. The surrounding waters and coastal camps also hold long ties to Inuit seasonal hunting traditions, adding a layer of human history to the stark landscape. Landings are informal and weather-dependent, making every visit to this far northern outpost feel like a genuine expedition into unmodified wilderness.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Button Islands.
Zodiac Wildlife Cruise
Small-boat excursions thread the channels between islands, the best way to spot beluga whales, seals, and the occasional narwhal moving through the nutrient-rich currents. Bring layers and a camera with a long lens for fast-moving sightings.
Weather-Dependent Shore Landing
When conditions allow, informal landings offer a rare chance to walk rock and tundra shaped almost entirely by ice and current, with no infrastructure or marked trails. Sturdy waterproof boots and flexibility with timing are essential.
Scan for Traces of Inuit Camps
Coastal sites here carry long ties to seasonal Inuit hunting traditions; guides can point out subtle signs of past use along the shoreline. It's a quiet counterpoint to the archipelago's otherwise untouched wilderness.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Button Islands
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 17 | $13,945 | |
| Sep 13, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 17 | $18,093 | |
| Aug 13, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse | 31 | $56,875 | |
| Aug 27, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse | 17 | $28,695 | |
| Sep 12, 2028 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 17 | $17,066 |