Nunavut
Nunavut is Canada's northernmost territory, and Baffin Island is where most visitors go for mountains, fjords and summer Arctic boat tours.
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Nunavut is Canada's northernmost territory. It split from the Northwest Territories and became a separate territory on April 1, 1999, and most of its residents are Inuit. Iqaluit, on Baffin Island, is the capital and the main air gateway. Many communities are reached only by air or by boat, so trips depend on flight schedules and weather.
Baffin Island is the main draw, with mountains, fjords and glacier ice. Auyuittuq National Park, on the east side of the island, is the best-known spot for hiking and backcountry trips. Summer is the practical season for land travel and Arctic boat tours. Flights and boat departures can slip because of weather, so leave spare days at the end of your trip. Plan at least several days in the territory, and more if you want to hike or join a boat tour.
Nunavut in five
- Pick the gateway city firstTravel Nunavut says Canadian North and Calm Air serve Nunavut from Ottawa (to Iqaluit), Winnipeg (to Rankin Inlet and Sanikiluaq) and Yellowknife (to Cambridge Bay, or connections).How to get there
- Plan for weather delays on small aircraftTravel Nunavut says connecting flights are usually on smaller aircraft and weather can cause delays or cancellations. Keep spare days and a backup plan between communities.Travel Nunavut
- Cruise only from July to OctoberTravel Nunavut says travel by water runs from July to October, and lists Adventure Canada and Quark Expeditions. Cruises reach sites that are hard to visit otherwise.Cruise listings
- Treat Auyuittuq as self-reliant travelParks Canada says facilities in Auyuittuq National Park are limited and visitors must be experienced and self-reliant. It asks hikers to contact the park for guidance when planning.Auyuittuq planning
- Link the north on one routeYellowknife and Whitehorse sit in the other northern territories. Yellowknife is a Nunavut gateway, so a Northwest Territories stop can start the trip.Yellowknife
Things to do in Nunavut
See all attractions in Nunavut
Need to know
- Airport
- Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay are the main hubs
- Getting there
- Flights from Ottawa, Winnipeg or Yellowknife; Arctic cruises July to October
- Getting around
- Small aircraft between communities; no roads link them
- Best base
- Iqaluit for a first visit; Pangnirtung for Auyuittuq
- Time needed
- 4 to 7 days; weather delays are normal
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDeep cold
- FebruaryDeep cold
- MarchCold, light returns
- AprilSpring light
- MayThaw begins
- JuneLong daylight
- JulySummer, cruises
- AugustSummer, cruises
- SeptemberFall, cruises end
- OctoberFreeze-up
- NovemberDark, cold
- DecemberDark, cold
Right now in Nunavut
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-8
- Feels like
- -15°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Nunavut
05:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today-3°-18°0%Monday: Cloudy. High -3°, Low -18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue-5°-7°57%Tuesday: Snow. High -5°, Low -7°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Wed-6°-9°12%Wednesday: Cloudy. High -6°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Thu-4°-9°15%Thursday: Snow. High -4°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Fri0°-9°76%Friday: Snow. High 0°, Low -9°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sat0°-14°27%Saturday: Cloudy. High 0°, Low -14°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sun-7°-10°22%Sunday: Cloudy. High -7°, Low -10°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 04:49 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Auyuittuq National Parkby flight to Pangnirtung or QikiqtarjuaqParks Canada lists the 100 km Akshayuk Pass corridor and says commercial flights serve both communities all year.
- Arctic cruise stopsJuly to October by shipCruise operators reach sites that are hard to get to otherwise, per Travel Nunavut.
- Yellowknifea flight to a gatewayTravel Nunavut lists Yellowknife as a gateway for Cambridge Bay and connections to Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.Read the guide
Before you go to Nunavut
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Rules for Nunavut, checked
- Parks Canada: facilities in Auyuittuq National Park are limited, and visitors must be experienced and self-reliant.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Travel Nunavut: Canadian North and Calm Air serve Nunavut from Ottawa, Winnipeg and Yellowknife; travel by water runs July to October.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Nunavut
A Nunavut gateway and aurora base
Read the guideWhitehorseThe Yukon capital on the Alaska Highway
Read the guideOttawaThe Iqaluit gateway city
Read the guideWinnipegThe gateway for Rankin Inlet and Churchill
Read the guideChurchillHudson Bay by train or air from Winnipeg
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for evacuation and delays
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideNunavut FAQ
How do you get to Nunavut?
By air. Travel Nunavut says Canadian North and Calm Air fly from Ottawa to Iqaluit, from Winnipeg to Rankin Inlet and Sanikiluaq, and from Yellowknife to Cambridge Bay or connections. Cruises sail July to October.
Are there roads between Nunavut communities?
No. Travel Nunavut describes small-aircraft connections between communities and cruise travel by water from July to October. Plan around flight schedules, and expect weather to change them.
When is the best time to visit Nunavut?
Summer, from June to September, suits cruises, midnight sun and hiking. Spring suits guided Arctic Circle day trips. Parks Canada says Auyuittuq is most accessible in spring and summer.
Is Nunavut safe for independent travel?
Only with preparation. Parks Canada says Auyuittuq has limited facilities and visitors must be experienced and self-reliant, so many travelers use licensed outfitters and guides for remote areas.
Do you need an eTA to fly to Nunavut?
If you fly into Canada, visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA, while U.S. citizens are exempt, per the Government of Canada. Domestic flights from Ottawa or Winnipeg need only your usual identification.