Arctic Bay Canada Travel Information

Welcome to Arctic Bay

Arctic Bay is an Inuit hamlet located in the northern part of the Borden Peninsula on Baffin Island in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. Inuktitut and English are the predominant languages. The Inuktitut name for Arctic Bay is Ikpiarjuk which means "the pocket" in English. This name describes the high hills that surround the almost landlocked bay. In the northern part of the peninsula, where the community is located, mountains reach as high as 1,300 metres. The area is popular for sport hunters coming to hunt polar bears although this may change with the listing of the polar bear as a threatened species. Arctic Bay is home to the annual Midnight Sun Marathon, which is one of the northernmost contests held in the world. Arctic Bay is noted for miniature ivory carvings, traditional clothing and other arts and crafts. The community is served by annual supply sealift, and by Arctic Bay Airport in emergencies.