Ocean Nova, Ellesmere Island and North Greenland: Journey to the Top of the World ex Ottawa return

Highlights at a glance:
– Journey through Inuit Nunangat—the ice, water, and lands of Inuit—and experience the deep privilege of travelling where culture and environment are one.
– Sail to the southern entry of the polar sea and venture farther north than on any other Adventure Canada voyage, navigating through Kane Basin, Smith Sound, and the Nares Strait.
– Experience living culture across borders as you discover enduring Inuit connections between Nunavut and northern Greenland—where family ties, shared traditions, and deep knowledge of the land unite communities across the Arctic.
– Explore a thriving Arctic sanctuary in Tallurutiup Imanga, where marine mammals and seabirds flourish alongside the glacier-carved cliffs and sweeping northern skies of Devon Island.
– Stand on Tartupaluk (Hans Island), a remote island that now embodies shared care for the North and honours the enduring movement of Inuit across these waters.
– Connect with Northern histories as you encounter vibrant communities and storied landscapes, from Qaanaaq and Aujuittuq to Beechey Island, where the legacies of Inuit life and Arctic exploration converge.

Itinerary
In the High Arctic, weather, ice, and community priorities guide every journey. Flexibility leads to the best discoveries.

Day 1: Qausuittuq (Resolute), NU, Canada – The North Beckons
Beneath the lingering glow of the Arctic summer sun, Qausuittuq, “the place with no dawn,” welcomes you to the High Arctic. Set amid gravel flats and rolling moraine, this community carries stories of adaptation and renewal, from relocation in 1953 to its role today as a gateway for Arctic research and travel. Take time to orient yourself to the land and its stories before embarking aboard the Ocean Nova. The North awaits.

Days 2–3: Tallurutiup Imanga (Lancaster Sound) – Whales, Ice, and Vast Horizons
Enter Tallurutiup Imanga, a thriving marine sanctuary where whales, walrus, seals, and seabirds gather among towering cliffs, deep fjords, and endless horizons. Step ashore on Devon Island, where glaciers meet the sea and archaeological traces reflect centuries of Inuit use and knowledge of this land.

Day 4: Qaanaaq, Greenland – Life at the Edge of the Sea Ice
Set against a backdrop of mountains and drifting sea ice, Qaanaaq is one of the world’s northernmost towns and a centre of Inughuit culture. Here, ancient skills and modern life flow together in rhythm with the sea ice. Traditions such as dog-sledding and hunting remain vital parts of community identity, reflecting deep connections to place. Meeting the people of Qaanaaq offers a glimpse of extraordinary adaptation and continuity—life shaped, still, by ice, animals, and seasons.

Days 5–6: Kane Basin – Where Continents Nearly Touch
Sail into Kane Basin, where the shores of Ellesmere Island and Greenland almost meet. Towering glaciers, drifting sea ice, and Arctic light set the stage for an unforgettable journey through one of the North’s most dramatic waterways. For generations, Inuit navigated these passages with exceptional skill, later followed by explorers heading toward the Pole. Over these two days, you’ll feel the spirit of exploration alive in the shifting light and every drifting floe.

Day 7: Tartupaluk (Hans Island) – A Shared Island
Set foot on Tartupaluk—a place few will ever visit. Perched in the middle of the Nares Strait between Canada and Greenland, this small, rocky island has long been a crossroads for Inuit, who travelled these waters freely for generations. In modern times, it became the focus of a good-natured yet symbolically potent territorial dispute between Canada and Denmark. In 2022, a historic agreement resolved the issue, establishing shared stewardship between Canada and Greenland and affirming Inuit mobility rights. Standing on Tartupaluk, with Greenland to one side and Canada to the other, you’ll feel the quiet power of shared care for the North—and the enduring movement of Inuit across these waters.

Days 8–9: Smith Sound – Gateway to the Great Upwelling
Venture through Smith Sound, the dramatic channel linking Kane Basin to Baffin Bay and the southern entrance to Sarvarjuaq/Pikialasorsuaq (The North Water Polynya) — “The Great Upwelling.” Surrounded by shifting sea ice, this vast recurring area of open water is the largest Arctic polynya and the most biologically productive region north of the Arctic Circle. Its nutrient-rich waters breathe life into the Arctic, drawing whales, seabirds, and seals.

Day 10: Aujuittuq (Grise Fjord), NU, Canada – Life in the Place That Never Thaws
Set amid stark mountains and sweeping tundra, Aujuittuq,“the place that never thaws”, is Canada’s northernmost community. Here, stories of relocation and adaptation shape daily life. Walking with local hosts, you’ll hear how knowledge of land, sea, and seasons continues to sustain the community—a living testament to strength and ingenuity at the top of the world.

Day 11: Devon Island – The World’s Largest Uninhabited Island
Vast and elemental, Devon Island reveals a world shaped by ice and time. Here, broad valleys and exposed rock tell of ancient forces, while bursts of Arctic wildflowers bring unexpected colour to the tundra. Along the shore, traces of Inuit presence remind us that even in the quietest landscapes, human stories endure. Immense views, striking geological formations, and profound silence combine to make this one of the most atmospheric stops of the journey.

Day 12: Beechey Island – Echoes of Exploration
Come ashore on Beechey Island, where Arctic history feels close and tangible. This windswept National Historic Site holds the graves of three Franklin expedition members and another who died in the search that followed. Here, Inuit knowledge has been essential in revealing the fate of the lost ships. Along the shoreline, the stark landscape invites reflection on the intertwined narratives of exploration, survival, and knowledge that still shape our relationship with the North.

Day 13: Qausuittuq (Resolute), NU, Canada – Journey’s Reflection
Disembark in Qausuittuq and board your charter flight to Ottawa. As the Arctic stretches out beneath you, reflect on the light, stories, and relationships that have shaped this journey—connections that continue long after the voyage ends.

Imagine waking up to breathtaking sea views through your cabin windows, each one whispering promises of adventure. Built in Denmark in 1992 for Greenland’s icy waters, this ship sails with a lighter carbon footprint than most expedition vessels. Its crown jewel? A glass-enclosed lounge with sweeping 200-degree views–perfect for whale watching and seabird spotting. Prefer the outdoors? The open decks are a dream for photographers and scenery lovers. With a shallow draft and easy Zodiac access, you’ll spend more time exploring and less time ferrying. Meals feature open seating and ocean views, with globally inspired options to suit all tastes-including vegetarian and fish dishes. Desserts, made fresh daily, are a highlight. Special diets? We’ve got you covered! On the Ocean Nova, every moment connects you to nature, each other, and discovery.

Founded in 1987, Adventure Canada was created to bring travellers to Canada’s “blank spaces”, those areas whose remoteness alone made them special. Over the last fifteen years, along with our guests, we have discovered that there is so much that is extraordinary about the places we travel, from the landscape, wildlife and culture to the history, art and archeology that is unique to every destination. It is our belief that there is so much to see “beyond the binoculars” that drives us to delve deeper into our favourite places with every expedition and continually seek out new destinations.

We travel by small expedition ship, the best suited mode of transportation for remote exploration. The number of passengers on our voyages run between 45 and 100, depending on the ship we choose. We believe that these small vessels are superior, as they not only allow us to gain access to places not accessible by larger vessels, but our fleet of Zodiac landing craft permit us to visit some of the most remote places imaginable – the key to expeditionary travel.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Ocean Nova - Main Deck

Ocean Nova - Upper Deck

Ocean Nova - Bridge Deck

Ocean Nova - Top Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 6 - Single

* Window
* One lower berth
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 86-114 square feet

Category 5 - Superior Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Two wardrobes
* Approximately 145-156 square feet

Category 4 - Bridge Deck Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 104-112 square feet

Category 3 - Upper Deck Twin

* Window
* Two lower berths or matrimonial bed
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 106-140 square feet

Category 2 - Bunk Bed Twin

* Window
* Bunk bed twin
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Wardrobe
* Approximately 86-122 square feet

Category 1 - Triple

* Window
* Two lower and one upper berth
* Bathroom with a shower
* Hair dryer, bathrobe, towels, body wash, and hair care products
* Desk with a chair
* Air ventilation
* Heater under desk
* Electrical outlets: 220V/50Hz (European)
* Cupboard
* Two wardrobes
* Approximately 159 square feet