About the Port
Rising from the cold waters off Nunavut's Baffin region, Monumental Island takes its name from the craggy rock formations that dominate its coastline. These stark outcrops provide critical haul-out ground for Atlantic walrus, whose barks and grunts often carry across the water long before the animals come into view. Polar bears, too, are sometimes seen moving along the shoreline or resting on ice remnants nearby, making the island one of the more storied wildlife-watching stops in the Canadian Arctic.
There is no dock or settlement here, so exploration happens by Zodiac, drifting close to the rocks for a shoreline view without setting foot on land. Conditions can shift quickly, and sightings are never guaranteed, which only heightens the sense of encountering true wilderness. Layered clothing and patience serve travelers well, as the island's rewards come to those willing to watch quietly and wait.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Monumental Island.
Zodiac Cruise Along the Rock Coastline
Glide close to the craggy shoreline aboard a Zodiac for the only way to experience this unsettled island, scanning ledges and haul-out rocks for walrus colonies and any polar bear on the move.
Scan for Walrus Haul-Outs
Listen for barking and grunting carrying across the water before the walrus themselves come into view on the rocky outcrops; binoculars and patience pay off here.
Watch for Polar Bears on the Ice Edge
Keep a quiet, steady watch along shoreline remnants and drifting ice, where bears occasionally appear; sightings are never guaranteed, so layered clothing and stillness matter more than motion.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Monumental Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 14 | $15,100 | |
| Aug 16, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 14 | $18,600 | |
| Aug 30, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 14 | $15,100 | |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 17 | $13,945 | |
| Jul 30, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 16 | $19,399 | |
| Aug 1, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 13 | $22,320 | |
| Aug 15, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 14 | $16,999 | |
| Aug 17, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 94 | $104,998 | |
| Aug 17, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 53 | $80,597 | |
| Aug 17, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 69 | $90,197 | |
| Aug 17, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 45 | $75,197 | |
| Aug 22, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Wind | 20 | $29,880 | |
| Aug 29, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 57 | $65,897 | |
| Aug 29, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 33 | $50,897 | |
| Aug 29, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 82 | $88,898 | |
| Aug 29, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 41 | $56,297 | |
| Sep 13, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 17 | $18,093 | |
| Sep 16, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 64 | $56,497 | |
| Sep 16, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 23 | $24,797 | |
| Sep 16, 2027 | Seabourn | Seabourn Venture | 39 | $34,397 |
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