Port information & tips for Qikiqtarjuarusiq (ex: High Bluff Island)
Qikiqtarjuarusiq, also known as High Bluff Island, is an untouched jewel in the Arctic expanse of Canada off the coast of Baffin Island. The island impresses with its majestic seclusion and a spectacular natural backdrop characterized by steep limestone cliffs and the deep blue icy sea. Visitors can marvel at gigantic breeding colonies of Thick-billed Murres and, thanks to experienced guides, often discover polar bears or walruses in their natural habitat. As there are no permanent piers on the uninhabited island, landing takes place by expedition ship and Zodiac directly on the natural shores. Thanks to this flexible landing site, travelers reach the heart of the wilderness directly and also enjoy the fascinating polar landscape far away from any civilization.
Qikiqtarjuarusiq (formerly High Bluff Island) is a remote, uninhabited nature reserve in the Canadian Arctic that is visited exclusively as part of expedition cruises. Arrival is therefore primarily by plane to the regional hubs in Nunavut, from where embarkation onto the expedition ships is organized via transfer. A classic port infrastructure with terminals, as known from other cruise destinations, does not exist here; landings are usually carried out with Zodiacs.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region typically involves long-haul flights to Toronto (YYZ) or Ottawa (YOW) in southern Canada. From there, regional airlines such as Canadian North continue to Arctic hubs like Iqaluit (YFB), the capital of Nunavut, or directly to Qikiqtarjuaq Airport (YVM) on former Broughton Island, the nearest regional airfield. Qikiqtarjuaq Airport (YVM) is a small regional airport with a gravel runway that serves as an important gateway to the region.
Transfers and Landing
Due to the extremely remote location, transfers from the Arctic airports to the respective embarkation points or directly to the expedition ship are usually fully organized by the cruise lines, often using charter flights. Since there are no port facilities on Qikiqtarjuarusiq itself, landings on the island occur, depending on weather and ice conditions, exclusively by Zodiac inflatable boats. Also in the nearby community of Qikiqtarjuaq (formerly Broughton Island), transfers to the ships are mostly carried out by tender.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Given the long and complex journey to the Canadian Arctic, a pre-cruise hotel is strongly recommended. Plan an overnight stay in one of the southern Canadian gateway cities like Toronto or Ottawa before continuing your journey north. This offers a relaxed acclimatization and an important time buffer in case of possible flight delays. An overnight stay can also be useful in the northern hubs such as Iqaluit or Qikiqtarjuaq before you reach your expedition ship.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Qikiqtarjuarusiq (formerly High Bluff Island) is a remote, uninhabited nature reserve in the Canadian Arctic that is visited exclusively as part of expedition cruises. Arrival is therefore primarily by plane to the regional hubs in Nunavut, from where embarkation onto the expedition ships is organized via transfer. A classic port infrastructure with terminals, as known from other cruise destinations, does not exist here; landings are usually carried out with Zodiacs.
Airplane
Travel from the DACH region typically involves long-haul flights to Toronto (YYZ) or Ottawa (YOW) in southern Canada. From there, regional airlines such as Canadian North continue to Arctic hubs like Iqaluit (YFB), the capital of Nunavut, or directly to Qikiqtarjuaq Airport (YVM) on former Broughton Island, the nearest regional airfield. Qikiqtarjuaq Airport (YVM) is a small regional airport with a gravel runway that serves as an important gateway to the region.
Transfers and Landing
Due to the extremely remote location, transfers from the Arctic airports to the respective embarkation points or directly to the expedition ship are usually fully organized by the cruise lines, often using charter flights. Since there are no port facilities on Qikiqtarjuarusiq itself, landings on the island occur, depending on weather and ice conditions, exclusively by Zodiac inflatable boats. Also in the nearby community of Qikiqtarjuaq (formerly Broughton Island), transfers to the ships are mostly carried out by tender.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Given the long and complex journey to the Canadian Arctic, a pre-cruise hotel is strongly recommended. Plan an overnight stay in one of the southern Canadian gateway cities like Toronto or Ottawa before continuing your journey north. This offers a relaxed acclimatization and an important time buffer in case of possible flight delays. An overnight stay can also be useful in the northern hubs such as Iqaluit or Qikiqtarjuaq before you reach your expedition ship.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Arrival on the pristine High Bluff Island is convenient via Zodiac shuttle, providing you with direct access to the spectacular Arctic wilderness.
Zodiac Shuttles
Since there is no fixed pier on this remote coast, the cruise lines' maneuverable expedition boats bring you safely ashore while providing a flexible connection between ship and shore.
On Foot
Exploration of the island takes place exclusively on foot, where experienced guides will help you safely reach the tundra and impressive viewpoints on guided hikes.
Expedition Boats for Coastal Cruising
In addition to shore excursions, the Zodiacs are used for tours along the massive sea cliffs, allowing you to comfortably observe the nesting seabirds and passing marine life from the water.
To get the most out of your stay on the remote island of Qikiqtarjuarusiq, we recommend focusing on the impressive coastal wildlife and exploring the vast, untouched tundra landscape.
Walrus Coastal Strip
The island's flat beach sections are known for their large walrus colonies and, thanks to their sheltered location, offer ideal conditions for spectacular wildlife sightings immediately upon arrival by expedition boat.
Panorama Tundra
The island's vast hinterland impresses with its fragile Arctic flora as well as historic Inuit stone structures and is perfect for a hike with expansive views over the glittering icy sea of the Foxe Basin.
Sanirajak Community
A detour to the nearby settlement of Sanirajak offers fascinating insights into modern life in the Arctic and, thanks to authentic encounters and local handicrafts, is the ideal cultural complement to the nature experience on the island.
The Limestone Cliffs of Qikiqtarjuarusiq
The imposing limestone cliffs of Qikiqtarjuarusiq are directly accessible with the ship's own Zodiacs and offer one of the most spectacular backdrops for observing polar bears and walruses in their natural habitat. The untouched Arctic wilderness impresses with its quiet majesty and also provides first-class photo opportunities of the steep cliffs and drifting ice floes. Ideally, take the first Zodiac excursion in the early morning to make the most of the clear Arctic light for wildlife sightings, and return to the base ship relaxed after this intense nature experience.
The return journey to the ship in this untouched Arctic nature is safe and straightforward, thanks to the precise organization of the expedition team. Since the island is uninhabited, the transfer takes place directly from the designated landing site on the shore back to your ship's anchor position.
Zodiac Transfer
The ship's own Zodiacs function as a reliable taxi, taking you from the marked beach section directly back to the gangway. The boats shuttle regularly between the shore and the ship throughout the entire stay, allowing you to begin your return journey flexibly and comfortably.
Expedition Shuttle
The expedition team coordinates movements on land and ensures that all guests return to the landing site on time through an organized rotation plan. Thanks to the constant radio contact between the guides at the viewpoints and the ship's bridge, a smooth and safe transfer is guaranteed at all times.
Orientation at the Landing Site
The walking path back to the shore is easy to find thanks to the highly visible marking flags and the presence of the guides. The central assembly point at the landing beach serves as a fixed meeting point where staff assist with boarding the boats and ensure an orderly return journey.
