Explore the remote Arctic shores of Herschel Island–Qikiqtaruk with an expert naturalist guide, scanning for bowhead and beluga whales, Arctic foxes, and nesting seabirds across one of Canada's most pristine and storied wilderness parks.
What to expect
Your expert guide leads you along the tundra headlands and gravel spits of this remarkable park, binoculars in hand as beluga and bowhead whales breach in the Beaufort Sea just offshore. Seals haul out on ice remnants while Arctic terns dive overhead in the long summer light. The guide interprets the island's extraordinary ecology — permafrost polygons, rare tundra flora, and the seasonal wildlife migrations that converge here. The sheer remoteness, with no roads to the mainland, makes every sighting feel genuinely earned.
Good to know
Herschel Island is 5 km off the Yukon coast; cruise passengers arrive by tender at Pauline Cove. Pre-arrange your guided excursion before sailing as park-licensed guides book up weeks in advance. Wear layered, windproof clothing — Arctic conditions apply even in July and August. Confirm your ship's all-aboard time and allow 30 minutes return to tender.
More to do in Herschel Island
- Beluga & Bowhead Whale Watching by Zodiac: Beaufort Sea
- Pauline Cove Whaling History Walk with a Territorial Park Ranger
- Arctic Tundra Hike to Collinson Head: Dramatic Coastal Panoramas
- Inuvialuit Cultural Immersion: Traditional Crafts & Oral History
- Arctic Photography Expedition: Tundra, Wildlife & Midnight Light