Iqaluit cruise port guide
In 1576, English explorer Martin Frobisher sailed into Frobisher Bay in search of a route to China. What he “discovered” was a large inlet with numerous Inuit fishing and hunting camps along its shores. The name Iqaluit means ‘a place of many fish’ in Inuktitut. Although the Inuit people had been here for thousands of years prior, they hadn’t establish a permanent settlement. It wasn’t until 1942 that the first Inuit made Iqaluit home. They settled here to help service the U.S. Air Force base, which was used to ferry aircraft to Europe during World War II. Iqaluit, the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, has 7,700 inhabitants. Some 60% of its residents are Inuit. A highlight of a visit here is the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, with its beautiful displays of Inuit art, artifacts and dioramas of Arctic life. St. Jude's Cathedral, often referred to as the ‘Igloo Cathedral’ because of its unique architectural design, is likewise of interest to visitors.
About Iqaluit
Iqaluit is the capital of Canada's Nunavut territory and the northernmost city in Canada, situated on Frobisher Bay on the southeast coast of Baffin Island. Accessible by sea only during the summer months, it draws expedition cruise itineraries exploring the Canadian High Arctic. The city blends living Inuit heritage with modern governance, offering visitors a rare encounter with Arctic wilderness and Indigenous culture.
The Legislative Building of Nunavut and the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum anchor cultural visits in the city centre, while St. Jude's Anglican Cathedral is a notable architectural landmark. Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, just 1 km from the town centre, provides prime trekking terrain and excellent arctic char fishing during seasonal migrations. Several outfitters — including Inupak Outfitting, Northwinds Arctic Adventures, Tikippugut, and Qairrulik Outfitting — organize guided excursions ranging from day hikes and boat tours on Frobisher Bay to multi-day dog-sledding journeys and kite-skiing on the frozen bay, regarded as one of Canada's premier kite-skiing venues. Aerial sightseeing charters are available year-round, weather permitting. Longer expeditions around Baffin Island are also operated from Iqaluit as a base.
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