Cruise Ship Passenger Port of Call Guide to Devon Island, Canada

Before You Set Sail

Getting Ready for Devon Island

Start planning your cruise to Devon Island several months ahead. You can visit between May and October when ships dock at Dundas Harbour. You’ll need Canadian dollars and European plug adapters.

Devon Island sits in Nunavut’s Qikiqtaaluk Region in Baffin Bay. You’ll hear English and French widely spoken, plus local Inuit languages. The time zone is GMT-6, and you’ll reach the island through the Canadian Arctic waterways.

Your cruise ship will arrange safe shore trips where you can:

• Visit old RCMP outposts
• See icebergs in Croker Bay
• Watch for wildlife like:
• Muskox
• Walrus
• Polar bears
• Caribou

Your safety comes first – always join organised excursions rather than exploring alone.

Essential Packing for Arctic Waters

Pack smart for your Arctic waters trip with these essential items:

Your core clothing needs:

• Waterproof, insulated parka
• Insulated, waterproof trousers
• Thermal base layers
• Warm mid-layers
• Knee-high rubber boots with grip soles
• Multiple pairs of thick wool socks
• Thin liner socks for layering
• Waterproof ski mittens
• Thin under-gloves

Your daily kit requires:

• Sturdy daypack
• Quality binoculars
• UV-protective sunglasses
• Collapsible walking stick
• Waterproof gear bags
• Strong sunblock
• Rich moisturiser
• Swimsuit for indoor pools
• Travel documents
• Personal medications

You should layer your clothing to manage body temperature effectively.

Your boots need good grip for shore visits.

Keep your important items in a waterproof, easy-to-reach place.

Your sunglasses and skin protection are vital, even in cold weather.

Getting to Devon Island

You can reach Devon Island through two main starting points: Resolute Bay in Canada or Kangerlussuaq in Greenland.

The journey requires specialised Arctic transport and careful timing.

You must join an expedition cruise that travels during August and September. These months offer the safest ice conditions for ships to navigate.

Your cruise will last between 16 and 29 days, depending on your chosen route.

Your ship will dock at Dundas Harbour, a former settlement on Devon Island’s east coast.

The vessels used are small expedition ships built for Arctic conditions. They follow set routes through the ice, often stopping at key points like Croker Bay and Radstock Bay.

You need to book flights to your departure city well in advance.

Your cruise operator will provide specific travel instructions and requirements for reaching the embarkation point.

Dundas Harbour Port Highlights

You reach Dundas Harbour by Zodiac boats, landing at a historic Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost.

The outpost stands as a reminder of Canada’s Arctic sovereignty efforts. You can walk through the well-preserved ruins with your guide, who explains the lives of police officers and Inuit people who lived here.

The site features one of the northernmost cemeteries in the world.

The harbour’s coastline attracts Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, seals, and beluga whales, offering you excellent photography opportunities.

You’ll find the stark beauty of this abandoned outpost creates a striking backdrop for your Arctic adventure.

Historic RCMP Station Ruins

The RCMP station ruins at Dundas Harbour let you step back into Arctic history. You can spot several weathered buildings from 1924, including the main police building, a storehouse and an outhouse.

You’ll find one of Canada’s most northern cemeteries next to the ruins. Two RCMP officers and a Scottish whaler lie buried there. The site held significant importance in Canada’s Arctic sovereignty efforts until 1951.

You can discover traces of different communities who lived here. The station housed 52 Inuit people from Cape Dorset in 1934, who later moved back south.

You’ll also see ancient Thule foundations nearby, showing the area’s much older settlement history.

The ruins sit in a strategic spot on Devon Island, where you can reach them by cruise ship today. The location offers you clear views across the harbour and surrounding Arctic landscape.

Zodiac Landing Operations

Getting to Dundas Harbour happens by Zodiac boat, as this Arctic location has no port. Your cruise ship must first stop at an official Canadian Border Services Agency port before heading to Devon Island.

You’ll step onto the beach from a Zodiac boat, managing local weather and uneven ground. Before landing, you’ll receive essential safety instructions for the cold conditions. Stay close to your guide, as polar bears live in this area.

The weather changes quickly here, so your landing plans might shift. Your ship’s team keeps watch on conditions and will adapt the schedule to keep you safe.

Pack warm clothes and listen carefully to all safety briefings before you leave the ship.

Remember:

• Follow your guide’s instructions
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing
• Stay alert to your surroundings
• Be ready for schedule changes
• Keep with your group at all times

The landing success depends on wind, ice and temperature, but your team will ensure you can explore this remarkable Arctic location safely.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Looking to spot wildlife on Devon Island during your Dundas Harbour cruise stop? Two main locations offer the best viewing opportunities.

At Cape Vera‘s towering 245-metre cliffs, you can watch seabirds in their natural habitat. Northern fulmars, Arctic terns and various gulls nest and soar along these dramatic rockfaces.

Truelove Lowland offers a different experience. Its warmer microclimate attracts larger animals like muskoxen, polar bears and Arctic foxes. You’ll find these mammals roaming the sheltered terrain.

Visit during the short summer season, which lasts 40-55 days, for peak wildlife activity. Cape Liddon hosts black guillemots, while unique hypolith communities grow beneath the rocks throughout the island.

The island’s polar desert environment means wildlife numbers are limited, but patient observers can spot these remarkable creatures in their natural settings.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Watch amazing marine life during migration periods – you can spot seals by the coast and sometimes see polar bears near the ice.

The cliffs of Devon Island offer perfect spots to view seabirds like northern fulmars, arctic terns and gulls, especially at Cape Vera and Cape Liddon.

Head to Truelove Lowland to observe muskoxen eating Arctic plants – just remember to maintain a safe distance and follow your guide’s advice.

Marine Mammals and Migration

Arctic Whale Watching Guide

You can observe bowhead whales around Devon Island during their seasonal migrations. These whales now migrate south three weeks later and return north three weeks earlier than before due to climate change.

Look for these key behaviours:

1. Bowhead whales use their strong heads to break through ice up to 100 cm thick.
2. The whales travel through the Bering Strait twice yearly – spring and autumn.
3. You’ll find them swimming near ice edges to stay safe from killer whales.

Best viewing tips:

• Plan your visit to match migration periods.
• Watch from designated cruise routes.
• Focus on ice-edge areas.
• Bring binoculars for better spotting.

The changing Arctic environment affects migration timing, so you’ll need to check current whale movement patterns before your trip.

The waters around Devon Island offer you reliable viewing spots to see these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat.

Arctic Birds and Nesting

The towering cliffs of Cape Vera on Devon Island rise 245 metres high, hosting thousands of nesting seabirds. You can spot between 7,500 and 10,000 pairs of Northern Fulmars, which nest there from mid-April to early October. These birds feed in the open waters of Cardigan Strait’s polynyas.

You’ll find several other seabird species nesting along these cliffs:

• Common Eiders
• Glaucous Gulls
• Thayer’s Gulls
• Arctic Terns
• Black Guillemots

You can watch these birds glide past the cliffs and rocky coastline with your binoculars.

For more birdwatching, you can visit nearby St. Helena Island, where smaller seabird colonies nest.

Historical Sites Worth Exploring

Devon Island’s historic sites tell fascinating stories of Arctic exploration and native settlements. You can explore three key locations that showcase this rich heritage.

The Beechey Island Sites hold archaeological remains from Sir John Franklin’s Northwest Passage expedition. These sites reveal crucial evidence about the famous lost mission.

At Port Refuge, you’ll find settlements from three indigenous cultures:

• Pre-Dorset peoples
• Dorset peoples
• Thule peoples

The main historic attractions include:

1. Dundas Harbour: You can visit this former outpost with its six original buildings and remarkable polar graveyard.
2. Northumberland House and Cape Riley: These sites played key roles in the Franklin search missions. You’ll discover archaeological evidence of rescue attempts.
3. The Arctic Explorer’s Graveyard: You can see the final resting place of early polar explorers and a notable walrus hunter.

Each site offers you direct contact with Arctic history through well-preserved structures and artefacts. The locations remain largely unchanged since their active periods, giving you a genuine glimpse into polar exploration’s past.

Safety in the Arctic

Arctic sailing requires strict safety protocols for your protection. Your cruise ship must follow the IMO Polar Code and use special ice navigation equipment.

You’ll find multiple lighting systems on board to spot ice dangers, alongside GNSS compass systems for accurate navigation.

Your crew has completed essential Arctic training, covering navigation skills, emergency responses and medical care. You need to know that your ship will work with Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, sharing travel plans 96 hours before entering Canadian waters.

You’ll see clear safety rules in action during your journey, including careful waste handling and wildlife protection steps.

Keep in mind that you’re travelling in remote areas where help can take time to arrive, which makes these safety measures vital for your wellbeing.

Your cruise ship follows specific procedures to:

• Monitor ice conditions
• Navigate safely in polar waters
• Respond to emergencies
• Protect the environment
• Maintain contact with authorities

Weather and Best Times

Devon Island’s Arctic climate affects all cruise activities. You’ll find temperatures between -31°C and 5°C, with summer offering the best conditions for cruising.

Peak Season (May to September):

• You get extended daylight hours
• You experience milder temperatures
• You’ll find ideal sailing conditions

Summer Benefits:

• 24-hour sunlight lets you explore more
• Temperatures reach 8°C
• You can spot wildlife and explore the tundra easily

Wildlife Viewing:

• October-November: You’ll see polar bears on the ice
• Summer: You can watch various Arctic species

Winter Conditions:

• Temperatures drop below -35°C
• Minimal daylight stops all cruises
• Ships can’t operate safely

Your best time to visit is summer, with average temperatures around 10°C.

You must wear proper Arctic clothing at all times, as winds can make it feel much colder than the actual temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Passengers Send Mail or Postcards From Devon Island?

Devon Island doesn’t have a post office, so you can’t send mail directly from the island. You’ve got two simple options when you want to send postcards or letters during your visit:

1. Use your cruise ship’s postal service
2. Wait to post your mail at the next port with postal facilities

The most convenient choice is your ship’s postal service, which handles mail from passengers during the voyage. This option lets you write and send your messages while your memories are fresh.

Are There Any Indigenous Settlements Currently Active on Devon Island?

Devon Island has no active Indigenous settlements today. The last Inuit families moved away in 1951, leaving behind their permanent homes due to the island’s extreme weather and challenging living conditions. When you visit the island now, you’ll find only uninhabited tundra where these communities once thrived.

What Currencies Are Accepted at the Few Facilities on Devon Island?

You won’t find any currency acceptance on Devon Island as it’s an uninhabited location. The only facilities present are research stations, where you’ll need to arrange all financial matters with your research organisation before arrival. Most arrangements for essential supplies and resources are handled through your sponsoring institution or research programme.

Do Cruise Ships Offer Rental Photography Equipment for Devon Island Excursions?

You won’t find rental photography equipment specifically for Devon Island excursions on cruise ships. Based on current cruise line information, this service isn’t typically offered. You should bring your own camera equipment if you plan to photograph your visit to Devon Island.

Can Passengers Collect Rocks or Artifacts as Souvenirs From Devon Island?

Collecting rocks and artifacts from Devon Island is not allowed. Canadian law strictly protects this area. You must leave all natural and cultural items exactly where you find them. Take photographs to capture your memories instead – they make perfect souvenirs. This helps preserve Devon Island’s unique environment and historical heritage for future visitors.