About the Port
Qaanaaq sits above the 77th parallel on Baffin Bay, among the northernmost inhabited places on earth. Founded in 1953 after the relocation of the Thule community, it remains home to the Inughuit, whose hunting traditions and knowledge of the sea ice have sustained life here for generations. The surrounding landscape of glaciers, icebergs, and rugged coastline has long drawn explorers and scientists studying the far north.
Landings typically bring travelers ashore by small boat, with conditions and sites determined on the day given the region's remoteness and shifting weather. Visits may include walks through the small settlement, encounters with sled dogs, and views across Baffin Bay toward drifting ice. Qaanaaq offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse of Arctic community life, best appreciated with warm layers and an openness to changeable plans.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Qaanaaq.
Meet the Sled Dogs
Wander among the tethered dog teams that remain essential to Inughuit hunting and travel across the sea ice. Handlers are often on hand to explain their training and care.
Walk the Settlement
Stroll the compact village, home to some of the world's northernmost residents, past colorful houses and drying racks for fish and seal skins. Landings are weather-dependent, so timing ashore may be brief.
Scan Baffin Bay for Icebergs
From the shoreline, look out over drifting pack ice and towering bergs calved from nearby glaciers. Bring binoculars and warm layers, as conditions here shift quickly.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Qaanaaq
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 31, 2026 | HX | MS Fridtjof Nansen | 16 | $11,192 | |
| Sep 2, 2026 | HX | MS Roald Amundsen | 20 | $15,087 | |
| Aug 29, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 15 | $16,822 | |
| Aug 28, 2028 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 15 | $16,804 |