Igloolik Travel Guide

Welcome to Igloolik!

Igloolik is a small hamlet on a tiny island sitting just off the eastern coast of the Melville Peninsula and west of Baffin Island in Nunavut. Largely untapped by tourism, Igloolik offers its few visitors a genuine Northern Canada Arctic experience. Its vast, flat landscape contrasts with the fjords and mountains of Baffin Island and is rich in wildlife and culture. The Inuit First Nations first settled the island to take advantage of its prime fishing and hunting opportunities—occupations that continue to be a significant part of residents' lives today. Visitors to Igloolik will likely find seal, polar bear, walrus, caribou and Arctic char on the menu. The island is regarded as the cultural heart of the province, its people nurturing a mix of Inuit traditions while embracing modern influences. As the location and subject for numerous films and documentaries, Igloolik offers movie shoot tours in addition to its distinctive outdoor activities such as dog sledding, wildlife viewing, snowmobiling and sea kayaking. In mid-January, the community celebrates the return of the sun after many weeks of darkness with a traditional festival, and during Igloolik's short snow-free period (June to September), noted local archaeological sites can be visited.