Pond Inlet sits on the northern coast of Baffin Island, overlooking the mountains of Bylot Island and the waters of Lancaster Sound, known in Inuktitut as Tallurutiup Imanga. This corridor forms the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage and has long served as a crossroads for Arctic wildlife, migratory birds, and traditional Inuit hunting routes. The hamlet remains a living community where Inuit culture and knowledge of the land continue to shape daily life.
Visitors come ashore by tender to a small settlement where local guides often share insight into Inuit history, carving traditions, and the surrounding polar landscape. The area is a prime setting for spotting narwhal, seals, and seabirds against a backdrop of glaciated peaks. Travel here is inherently expedition-style, with landings dependent on ice and weather, offering an authentic glimpse into one of the least-visited corners of the Canadian Arctic.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Pond Inlet.
Meet Local Carvers
Browse soapstone and bone carvings crafted by Pond Inlet artisans, often sold directly from community workshops. Conversations with makers offer a direct window into Inuit artistic tradition rarely found elsewhere in the Arctic.
Catch a Cultural Performance
Community members frequently share throat singing, drum dancing, or storytelling for visiting groups. These gatherings, usually held in the hamlet's community hall, are a rare chance to experience living Inuit heritage firsthand.
Scan Eclipse Sound for Wildlife
Look toward Bylot Island's glaciated peaks and the waters of Eclipse Sound for narwhal, ringed seals, and seabird colonies. Binoculars in hand, even a short shoreline walk can yield sightings found in few other Arctic settlements.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Click a cruise line to see its Pond Inlet sailings and Pavlus pricing.
