Arctic Wilderness Odyssey

Known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” Churchill also charms with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant wildlife. Depending on the season, you may spot beluga whales gathering in the Churchill River or catch a glimpse of roaming bears along the tundra. Join engaging cultural programs to learn about local traditions, or take to the skies on a helicopter excursion, where sweeping views reveal the immense sweep of Hudson Bay and its pristine landscapes.

Located on the shores of Hudson Bay, Churchill is famously known as the "polar bear capital of the world."  With its rugged streets and vast, sweeping landscapes, offers a sense of being at the edge of the world. Surrounded by the untamed beauty of the northern wilderness, it’s the stark solitude and endless expanses that make this remarkable destination truly captivating.

In the evening, share your travel notes with your new friends over dinner in one of up to 10 all-inclusive dining experiences on board your Discovery Yacht.

Glide across the tranquil sweep of Hudson Bay, a vast inland sea alive with seasonal wildlife. Beluga whales sometimes surface near the ship, their white forms gleaming against dark water, while seabirds ride the breeze overhead. The immensity of this waterway lends a sense of calm and perspective, framing the Canadian Arctic’s rugged coasts and tundra-strewn islands.

Coats Island is a wild sanctuary where polar bears spend their summers and walruses sprawl across rocky beaches. The island’s sweeping tundra and cliffs shelter more than 90 species of birds, from peregrine falcons to eider ducks. Cruising close to shore offers the chance to observe this remarkable ecosystem without disturbing its fragile balance, while the solitude of Hudson Bay stretches endlessly in every direction.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

The rugged Digges Islands host one of the Arctic’s highest polar bear concentrations, making every landing or Zodiac cruise an adventure. Dramatic cliffs rise from the sea, alive with thousands of nesting seabirds, their calls echoing across the water. As you explore, look for Arctic foxes or bears traversing the stony beaches below, and absorb the sense of isolation that defines this remote corner of Hudson Bay. Landings are always guided with care, and take place only when conditions allow a safe and memorable experience.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Glide through the Hudson Strait, gateway between the Atlantic and Canada’s Arctic archipelago. This cruising day offers excellent chances to spot seabirds and whales, while coastal cliffs and shifting ice hint at the rugged landscapes beyond. It’s a tranquil stretch that invites you to pause and savor the North’s elemental beauty.

Akpatok Island is the largest island in the middle of Ungava Bay, south of Baffin Island and north of Quebec. Its name is the local name for the Thick-billed Murre, which nests here in vast numbers. In fact, the entire island is designated a Canadian Important Bird Area. Other common wildlife are Polar bears, seals, and walrus. One of the most distinctive features of the island is the steep limestone cliffs ringing the shore. They rise 490 to 820 feet straight up from the sea to a flat plateau. Although is uninhabited today, remains of a Dorset settlement have been documents at the southern end of the island.

Monumental Island in Davis Strait was named by Arctic explorer Charles Francis Hall as a tribute to the memory of Sir John Franklin who died in his quest to find the Northwest Passage. The island is offshore of Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago of the territory of Nunavut. Around the shoreline scores of Black Guillemots dive and fish for little Arctic cods and capelins. Successful birds fly off with a minnow grasped tightly in their beaks. On a far larger scale, it is possible to find groups of walruses with their impressive tusks along the shores of the island. However, the coup de grâce is to spot a polar bear’s white silhouette against the dark background of the bedrock on Monumental Island.

Prince Leopold Island is a remote and uninhabited island located in the Canadian Arctic, at the northeastern entrance of Prince Regent Inlet in Nunavut. Known for its dramatic cliffs and rich wildlife, it is one of the most important bird habitats in the Arctic.

The island is characterized by towering limestone cliffs rising straight from the sea, forming a striking and rugged landscape. These cliffs provide ideal nesting grounds for vast colonies of seabirds, making the island part of the protected Prince Leopold Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Each summer, hundreds of thousands of birds—including murres, kittiwakes, and fulmars—gather here to breed, creating one of the densest seabird populations in the Canadian Arctic. The surrounding waters also support marine life such as seals, whales, and Arctic fish species.

Due to its ecological importance, access to the island is restricted, and it is rarely visited except by researchers or specialized Arctic expeditions.

Few travel milestones are as memorable as crossing the fabled Arctic Circle. As your ship sails north, you join the ranks of explorers who have ventured into these high latitudes, where the sun lingers on the horizon and ice-choked seas define the landscape. Many mariners celebrate this passage with the lighthearted tradition of becoming a “Blue Nose,” a symbolic order marking your entry into the true High Arctic. Whether you mark it with a toast on deck or simply savor the view, this moment is a highlight of any polar journey.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

ittle-visited and deeply tranquil, Sunneshine Fjord offers a softer side of Greenland’s wild beauty. Gentle slopes give way to calm water scattered with ice, while seabirds skim above. Zodiac rides or quiet deck time here reveal subtler Arctic moods—serenity, space, and unspoiled grandeur.

Kangerluk rests on a quiet inlet of Disko Island, where hot springs steam against a backdrop of craggy hills. This friendly settlement brims with Inuit heritage and offers a tranquil vantage over iceberg-studded waters. Walk the shoreline or hike inland for views of Disko Bay’s glaciers, and absorb the rhythms of daily life in one of Greenland’s loveliest corners.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with our expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Disko Bay is a wonderland of shifting light, breaching whales, and iceberg-laden waters. Wildlife thrives here — from fin whales and seabird colonies to occasional polar bear sightings on drifting ice. This region also tells a geological story, with lava flows and basalt formations shaping the dramatic coastline. With every bend in the bay, a new opportunity for awe emerges — underscoring the expedition’s spirit of discovery.

Disko Bay is a large bay located on the western coast of Greenland, opening into the Baffin Bay. It is known for its dramatic Arctic landscapes, floating icebergs, and cold, clear waters. The bay is surrounded by glaciers and coastal settlements, with Ilulissat being one of the most well-known towns nearby. Disko Bay is famous for the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where massive icebergs calve from the Greenland Ice Sheet. It is also an important area for Arctic wildlife, including whales and seals, and is a popular destination for polar tourism and scientific research.

Within Greenland’s famed Disko Bay you find the awe-inspiring Eqi Glacier. The mesmerizing blue ice shelves inspire a sense of wonder. Often referred to as the Calving Glacier – as it is one of the country’s most active glaciers – if you explore Eqi you’re likely to see chunks of calving ice fall from the mass and into the water with a resounding crack. Lying only about 50 miles north of Ilulissat, you’re also surrounded by towering icebergs upon navigating the glacier. Captain’s Choice Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and ever-changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. We encourage you to embrace a spirit of adventure, spontaneity, and flexibility as your Captain works with your expedition team to determine possible sites for shore landings and Zodiac safaris. While itineraries serve to guide your exploration, all routes are always subject to change in order to prioritize safety and create the optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Disko Bay is a large bay located on the western coast of Greenland, opening into the Baffin Bay. It is known for its dramatic Arctic landscapes, floating icebergs, and cold, clear waters. The bay is surrounded by glaciers and coastal settlements, with Ilulissat being one of the most well-known towns nearby. Disko Bay is famous for the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where massive icebergs calve from the Greenland Ice Sheet. It is also an important area for Arctic wildlife, including whales and seals, and is a popular destination for polar tourism and scientific research.

Disko Bay is a large bay located on the western coast of Greenland, opening into the Baffin Bay. It is known for its dramatic Arctic landscapes, floating icebergs, and cold, clear waters. The bay is surrounded by glaciers and coastal settlements, with Ilulissat being one of the most well-known towns nearby. Disko Bay is famous for the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where massive icebergs calve from the Greenland Ice Sheet. It is also an important area for Arctic wildlife, including whales and seals, and is a popular destination for polar tourism and scientific research.

Itilleq is an idyllic little village located on a small island about ahalf a mile off the west coast of Greenland, and only about a mile north of theArctic Circle. It is one of the most picturesque villages in Greenland with itsquaint colorful houses surrounded by stunning rugged mountains and glaciers.Originally, the village of Itilleq was founded on another island in 1847, butwas later moved to its present location. The 100 people living here todaysurvive mainly on hunting and fishing, with a fish factory being the mainemployer.

Evighedsfjorden, also called “Eternity Fjord,” is a dramatic fjord located on the eastern coast of Greenland. It features steep, glaciated cliffs and deep, icy waters, typical of Greenland’s rugged fjord landscapes. The fjord is largely uninhabited and remote, offering pristine scenery and opportunities to observe Arctic wildlife such as seals, seabirds, and occasionally whales. Its isolation and striking natural beauty make it a destination primarily for adventurous explorers and scientific research.

Perched on the seaside in the shadow of ice-capped Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk is the world’s smallest capital city by population, with some 19,000 inhabitants experiencing tremendous cultural and economic growth. Watch for harp seals as you enter the harbor, and hear from local residents to learn how the community has changed over the generations. At the National Museum, examine the extraordinary 15th-century Qilakitsoq mummies found near Uummannaq—a discovery that was featured in a National Geographic magazine cover story in 1985. The Arctic ice preserved these mummies so well that researchers have been able to study their tattoos, their medical conditions and even what they ate.