Prince Leopold Island is a remote seabird sanctuary in Nunavut, Canada, located in Lancaster Sound. This steep-sided cliffed island hosts one of the largest seabird colonies in the Arctic, including thick-billed murres, black-legged kittiwakes, and northern fulmars. Accessible only by expedition cruise ships, it offers exceptional wildlife viewing and Arctic scenery.
Let’s be clear from the start: Prince Leopold Island isn’t your typical cruise port. There’s no terminal, no dock, no shuttle buses waiting to whisk you into town. In fact, there’s no town at all. This is a protected migratory bird sanctuary where access is tightly controlled and landings are prohibited. Your cruise ship will position itself offshore, and you’ll observe from the deck or from Zodiac boats that circle the island’s perimeter. If you’re expecting duty-free shops and waterfront cafés, you’ve booked the wrong trip. But if you want to witness one of the Arctic’s most spectacular wildlife gatherings in its raw, unfiltered glory, you’re in exactly the right place.
Quick Port Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Lancaster Sound, Nunavut, Canada, at the junction of Prince Regent Inlet and Barrow Strait |
| Status | Protected migratory bird sanctuary (Akpaqarvik) with restricted access |
| Port Facilities | None – no dock, terminal, or visitor infrastructure |
| Access Method | Zodiac viewing only from expedition cruise ships; no landings permitted |
| Wildlife | Over 200,000 seabirds during nesting season; polar bears, seals, and marine mammals |
| Best Viewing Season | Late May through September when birds are nesting and ice permits ship access |
| Official Information | Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Want to know more about other fascinating cruise ports across Canada? We’ve got comprehensive guides to help you plan every stop on your Canadian adventure.
Prince Leopold Island Map
Prince Leopold Island sits at the northeastern entrance to Prince Regent Inlet, where it meets Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait. This strategic location places it directly in the path of migrating seabirds travelling through the Northwest Passage. The island measures roughly 10 kilometres long and rises to sheer cliffs over 250 metres high on its eastern face. Most expedition ships approach from the south or east to give passengers the best views of the cliff colonies without disturbing nesting birds.
There is no Port and no Town
Prince Leopold Island is an uninhabited wildlife sanctuary with no facilities whatsoever. Here’s what you need to understand:
- No landing permitted: The island’s protected status means cruise passengers cannot set foot on it. All viewing is done from the ship’s deck or from Zodiac boats that maintain a respectful distance from the cliffs.
- Zodiac excursions: If ice and weather conditions allow, your expedition team will launch Zodiac boats for closer viewing. These typically circle portions of the island while guides point out nesting colonies and wildlife.
- Deck viewing: Much of your time will be spent on the ship’s outer decks with binoculars. The cliffs are so massive and the bird colonies so dense that you’ll see plenty even from the ship.
- Photography opportunities: Bring a telephoto lens. The cliffs are far enough away that phone cameras won’t capture much detail, but a proper zoom lens will get you stunning shots of nesting birds and the dramatic rock faces.
What to See
Your “day” at Prince Leopold Island will typically last 3-5 hours depending on your ship’s overall itinerary and the conditions. Here’s what makes this stop genuinely special.
The Eastern Cliff Bird Colonies
- What it is: A vertical city of seabirds packed onto every available ledge of the towering eastern cliffs. This is one of the most important seabird breeding sites in the entire Arctic.
- Why it matters: You’re witnessing an ecosystem that’s functioned for thousands of years, largely unchanged. The density of birds is staggering – seeing hundreds of thousands of individuals in one view is genuinely humbling. These colonies are a critical part of the Arctic food web, supporting everything from Arctic foxes to polar bears.
- Time needed: You’ll spend most of your visit observing these colonies. Allow 60-90 minutes for a Zodiac excursion around the cliffs, plus additional deck viewing time before and after.
- Practical tips: Bring quality compact binoculars for travel and a camera with a good zoom lens. The birds are far enough away that you’ll want magnification. Dress in layers – even in summer, Arctic winds off the water are cold. If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication before the Zodiac excursion because the boats will bob in the swells while you observe.
Polar Bear Watching
- What it is: Prince Leopold Island’s shores are excellent polar bear habitat during summer months. Bears come to hunt seabirds, scavenge eggs and chicks, and patrol the ice edge for seals.
- Why it matters: Seeing a polar bear in true wilderness, doing what polar bears have always done, is entirely different from seeing one in a zoo. These bears are hunting, surviving, and completely indifferent to your presence. It’s Arctic wildlife viewing at its most authentic.
- Time needed: Polar bear sightings are opportunistic. You might spot one immediately or wait hours. When one appears, expect to spend 20-45 minutes watching it move along the shore or investigate the cliff base.
- Practical tips: Stay alert to announcements. Expedition staff scan constantly for bears, and when one’s spotted, they’ll announce it over the PA system. Polar bears blend remarkably well with pale rocks and ice, so trust the guides’ eyes. Keep your camera ready but don’t get so fixated on photos that you forget to simply watch. The memory of seeing a wild polar bear will outlast any image you capture.
Zodiac Cruising Along the Coast
- What it is: Small-boat excursions that circle portions of the island, bringing you closer to the cliffs, birds, and potential wildlife than the ship can safely approach.
- Why it matters: The scale of the cliffs and the density of the bird colonies become truly apparent when you’re bobbing in a Zodiac a few hundred metres offshore. You’ll hear the roar of birds, smell the guano, and feel the spray of Arctic waters. It’s immersive in a way that deck viewing simply can’t match.
- Time needed: Zodiac excursions typically run 60-90 minutes, with groups rotating so everyone gets a chance. You’ll need an additional 15 minutes for safety briefings and getting kitted up in life jackets.
- Practical tips: Follow all instructions from the Zodiac driver and expedition staff. Sit on the pontoon edges, not inside the boat, for better viewing and photography. Protect your camera from spray – a simple plastic bag or a waterproof phone pouch can save expensive equipment. If you’re filming video, shoot in short clips rather than continuous recording. The cold will drain your battery faster than you expect.
Wildlife Photography Opportunities
- What it is: Prince Leopold Island offers world-class opportunities to photograph Arctic wildlife and dramatic landscapes in optimal light conditions.
- Why it matters: The combination of massive bird colonies, potential polar bear sightings, striking geology, and the unique light of the Arctic summer creates conditions that wildlife photographers dream about. You’re getting shots that simply aren’t possible in more accessible locations.
- Time needed: Photography is woven throughout your entire visit. Dedicated photographers will spend the full 3-5 hours shooting, changing lenses, and repositioning for different angles and light.
- Practical tips: Bring extra batteries and memory cards – you’ll shoot far more than you anticipate. A telephoto lens (300mm minimum, 400-600mm ideal) is essential for bird photography from the ship or Zodiacs. A wide-angle lens captures the scale of the cliffs and landscape. Shoot raw files if possible for better post-processing flexibility. The Arctic light can fool your camera’s meter, so bracket exposures and check your histogram regularly.
Safety Tips
Your safety concerns are environmental and wildlife-related.
- Follow all expedition staff instructions: Your guides are experienced Arctic professionals who understand the risks and how to mitigate them. When they tell you to stay seated in the Zodiac or maintain distance from wildlife, listen. This isn’t health and safety theatre – it’s genuine risk management in a remote environment where rescue options are limited.
- Dress appropriately for Arctic conditions: Hypothermia is a real risk even in summer. Wear multiple layers, waterproof outer gear, insulated gloves, and a warm hat. The wind off Arctic waters is bitterly cold, and if you fall into the water during Zodiac operations, proper clothing could save your life. Merino wool base layers for women and merino wool base layers for men are essential for staying warm in these extreme conditions, as they regulate temperature effectively and wick moisture away from your skin.
- Wildlife distance rules: Never encourage the Zodiac driver to get closer to polar bears or other wildlife than regulations permit. These distance requirements protect both animals and people. Polar bears are apex predators that can run faster than you might think and swim with terrifying efficiency.
- Zodiac boarding safety: Getting in and out of Zodiacs requires care, especially in cold conditions when your hands are stiff and the platform is potentially icy. Take your time, use handrails where provided, and accept help from the crew. More injuries happen during boarding than during the actual excursions.
- Medication and medical needs: If you take regular medication, bring more than you think you’ll need and keep it in your cabin, not in checked luggage. Expedition ships carry medical staff, but you’re days away from advanced medical facilities. Travel insurance that covers Arctic evacuation is essential – and expensive, but essential.
- Camera and electronics: Cold drains batteries quickly. Keep spares warm inside your jacket and swap them out as needed. Rapid temperature changes cause condensation that can damage electronics, so allow cameras to warm up gradually when you come inside.
Emergency Contacts
- Ship Emergency: Your expedition ship’s bridge and medical staff are your first point of contact for any emergency. The ship’s internal phone system will have emergency numbers posted in your cabin.
- Canada Emergency Services: 911 (though mobile phone service does not exist at Prince Leopold Island)
- Canadian Coast Guard: Your ship maintains direct communication with the Coast Guard and can coordinate rescue or medical evacuation if needed
- Search and Rescue: The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario coordinates Arctic rescue operations, but all contact will go through your ship’s captain and expedition leader
Save your cruise ship’s emergency contact number before going ashore – although in this case, you’re never truly going ashore, which simplifies things considerably.
Essential Items for Your Day in Prince Leopold Island
Visiting Prince Leopold Island requires careful preparation for extreme Arctic conditions. Since you’ll spend hours on deck and in Zodiac boats exposed to cold winds, Arctic spray, and unpredictable weather, having the right gear can make the difference between a miserable experience and an unforgettable one. Here’s what you’ll actually need:
- Weatherproof Layering System: Arctic conditions demand proper layering. Start with merino wool base layers for women or merino wool base layers for men, which regulate temperature and wick moisture effectively. Over that, add a packable rain jacket or heavier waterproof outer layer for protection against wind and spray during Zodiac excursions.
- Optical Equipment: Quality compact binoculars are absolutely essential for wildlife viewing. The bird colonies and polar bears will be far enough away that you’ll miss critical details without magnification. Choose binoculars with at least 8x magnification and waterproof housing.
- Camera Protection: A waterproof phone pouch or waterproof phone case protects your electronics from Arctic spray during Zodiac trips. If you’re bringing serious camera equipment, consider a waterproof dry bag backpack to keep everything protected between shooting sessions.
- Secure Storage: An anti theft backpack keeps your gear organized and secure during deck viewing sessions. You’ll be moving between viewing positions frequently, and having everything in one weatherproof pack makes life much easier.
- Cruise Accessories: Magnetic hooks are incredibly useful in your cabin for hanging wet outer layers, camera straps, and binoculars. A cruise lanyard keeps your cabin key accessible when you’re bundled in multiple layers of Arctic gear.
- Motion Sickness Prevention: If you’re prone to seasickness, motion sickness patches work well for the Zodiac excursions, which can be rougher than deck viewing on the ship.
- Power for Electronics: A portable phone charger is essential since cold drains batteries rapidly. You’ll be shooting far more photos and videos than on typical cruise ports, and the Arctic cold accelerates battery depletion.
- Documentation Security: Keep your passport and important documents in an RFID passport holder in your cabin safe. While you won’t need it at the island itself, you’ll need it at embarkation and disembarkation ports.
Weather by Month
| Season | Months | Temperature Range | Conditions | Cruise Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Spring | May – Early June | -5°C to 2°C | Ice breaking up, long daylight hours, occasional snow squalls, very cold winds | Marginal – ice conditions may prevent access, most ships don’t operate this early |
| Summer | Late June – August | 2°C to 8°C | Peak nesting season, 24-hour daylight, relatively mild but still cold by southern standards, frequent fog | Optimal – best weather, clearest navigation, maximum wildlife activity |
| Early Autumn | September | -2°C to 3°C | Birds departing, ice beginning to reform, shorter days, increased storm activity | Possible but declining – window closing as ice returns |
| Autumn to Spring | October – April | -30°C to -15°C | Complete darkness in winter, island locked in ice, extreme cold, inaccessible | Impossible – no cruise ships operate, island completely frozen in |
The reality is that cruise ships can only visit Prince Leopold Island during a narrow summer window when ice conditions permit navigation and seabirds are actively nesting. Even during this window, ice and weather can force itinerary changes. Arctic cruise passengers need flexibility and realistic expectations about schedule changes.
Common Questions & FAQ
Can I actually land on Prince Leopold Island?
No. Prince Leopold Island is a protected migratory bird sanctuary where landing is prohibited to protect nesting seabirds and their habitat. All viewing is done from your expedition ship or from Zodiac boats that maintain appropriate distances from the cliffs and shoreline. The sanctuary regulations are enforced, and reputable expedition cruise operators follow them strictly. You’ll get excellent views and photographs without setting foot on land.
What’s the best time to visit for bird viewing?
Late June through early August offers optimal bird activity when the colonies are at peak occupancy with birds nesting, incubating eggs, and feeding chicks. By late August, many birds begin dispersing from the colonies. The tradeoff is that earlier in the season, ice conditions may prevent some ships from reaching the island. Most expedition cruise operators schedule their Prince Leopold Island calls during the July sweet spot that balances bird activity with reliable ice conditions.
How close will the ship get to the island?
Your expedition ship will typically position 200-500 metres offshore depending on water depth, ice conditions, and sanctuary regulations. This is close enough for excellent viewing with binoculars and telephoto photography but far enough to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Zodiac excursions may bring you somewhat closer while still maintaining required buffer zones. The sheer scale of the cliffs means you’ll have impressive views even from these distances.
What if weather or ice prevents the visit?
Arctic itineraries are inherently flexible because conditions can change rapidly. If ice blocks access to Prince Leopold Island or weather makes Zodiac operations unsafe, your expedition leader will offer alternative activities or sites. This is normal for Arctic cruising, not a failure of planning. Reputable expedition cruise operators don’t guarantee specific stops – they guarantee an excellent Arctic experience and adapt the itinerary to conditions. Read your cruise contract carefully regarding itinerary changes and refunds.
Will I definitely see polar bears?
No wildlife sighting is guaranteed. Polar bears are regularly seen around Prince Leopold Island during summer months because the island offers good hunting opportunities, but they’re wild animals that move according to their own needs and schedules. Your chances are genuinely good if you spend several hours in the area, but “definitely” doesn’t exist in wildlife viewing. The seabirds, however, are a sure thing – there are hundreds of thousands of them and they’re not going anywhere during nesting season.
Do I need special photography equipment?
A smartphone camera will capture the scale and drama of the cliffs but won’t get detailed bird or wildlife shots. A telephoto lens is highly recommended – something in the 300-600mm range for serious bird photography. Bring a sturdy monopod or tripod if your ship allows deck tripods. Extra batteries, memory cards, and lens cloths are essential. If you don’t have telephoto gear, some expedition ships loan binoculars and occasionally cameras, but verify this with your cruise line before departure. The investment in proper equipment pays off when you’re reviewing your images later.
What should I do if I get seasick during Zodiac excursions?
Take seasickness medication at least 30-60 minutes before the Zodiac launch, even if you don’t typically get seasick. Arctic waters can be rough, and Zodiacs amplify the motion. If you start feeling ill during the excursion, tell the driver immediately – they can return you to the ship. Sitting near the middle of the Zodiac helps, as does focusing on the horizon rather than looking down. Ginger candies and acupressure wristbands work for some people. If you have a severe reaction to motion, consider whether you should skip the Zodiac and enjoy the experience from the ship’s deck instead – there’s no shame in knowing your limits.
Are there any other stops nearby in Lancaster Sound?
Most Arctic expedition cruises that visit Prince Leopold Island also include other significant sites in the region. Beechey Island, famous for its connection to the Franklin Expedition, is often on these itineraries. Some cruises also call at Somerset Island, another important wildlife and historical area. These Arctic Canada expedition cruises are part of the broader category of polar expedition cruises that offer genuine wilderness experiences in some of the planet’s most remote regions. Each stop brings different wildlife, landscapes, and historical context to your understanding of the Arctic.
Personal Experience
I never expected to feel so small until our expedition ship approached Prince Leopold Island on a July morning. The sheer limestone cliffs rose dramatically from the Arctic waters, and the noise hit us before anything else – thousands upon thousands of seabirds creating this incredible cacophony. Our guide pointed out thick-billed murres, black-legged kittiwakes, and northern fulmars nesting on every available ledge. The air was thick with birds wheeling around the cliffs, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a nature documentary. We couldn’t land on the island since it’s a protected migratory bird sanctuary, but cruising along the coastline gave us front-row seats to one of the Arctic’s most important seabird colonies.
The real highlight came when someone spotted a polar bear picking its way along the rocky shore. Everyone rushed to the deck with binoculars and cameras, watching this magnificent bear investigate the base of the cliffs, probably hoping for an easy meal from the colonies above. Our expedition leader explained that late June through early August is the sweet spot for visiting – the ice has mostly cleared for navigation, the birds are actively nesting, and polar bears are often visible hunting along the shores. The weather was surprisingly mild for the Arctic, though we definitely needed our parkas on deck. If you’re considering an Arctic cruise, make sure Prince Leopold Island is on the itinerary. It’s remote, raw, and absolutely worth the journey to get there.