Northwest Passage
The Legendary Arctic Sea Route — expedition history, Inuit communities and Baffin Island’s fjords aboard Ultramarine.
Why we picked it
For travellers drawn to the Canadian Arctic’s history, communities and scale, this adds a very different experience to a Svalbard or East Greenland voyage.
Ultramarine’s expedition facilities and planned helicopter flightseeing broaden the ways to experience the landscape. This is an exploration of the eastern Northwest Passage and West Greenland, not a complete end-to-end transit of the passage.
Franklin expedition sites alongside visits arranged with Inuit and Greenlandic communities.
Zodiac outings, walks and planned helicopter flightseeing, conditions permitting.
The required charter-flight and hotel package must be included when comparing quotes.
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Arctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our expedition guiding experience helps you understand the travel, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Your trip overview brings together recommended flight routes, buffer days, travel and packing tips. You can also book a hotel and transfer package through us.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage overview
Fly from Iceland to Greenland, cross to Baffin Island and explore the eastern Northwest Passage before returning along West Greenland.
The plan below follows the 16 August 2027 departure. The 30 August departure has a different order and embarkation arrangements, so we confirm the exact programme for your dates.
Day-by-day plan
Arrive in Reykjavík
Start in Reykjavík with the hotel stay included in the required Charter Flight & Hotel Package. There is time to explore independently before the expedition flight the following morning.
Fly to Nuuk and embark
Take the charter flight to Nuuk and transfer to Ultramarine. The flight schedule determines whether there is time to see the city before boarding. Meet the team and settle into expedition life.
Cross the Davis Strait
Sail towards Baffin Island, with wildlife watching from deck and briefings on safe travel and community visits. Lectures provide context for the Canadian Arctic ahead.
East Baffin Island
A planned visit to Qikiqtarjuaq offers insight into contemporary Inuit life, arranged with local partners. Farther north, Isabella Bay is an important bowhead whale feeding area. Outings depend on weather, wildlife and local arrangements.
Icy Arm Fjord
Explore the dramatic fjord scenery of northern Baffin Island. Conditions permitting, the operator plans helicopter flightseeing as well as opportunities to experience the landscape from sea level. Flying cannot be guaranteed on a particular day.
Lancaster Sound and exploration history
The eastern Northwest Passage brings together Inuit history, seabird colonies and sites associated with European expeditions. Possible visits include Dundas Harbour, Croker Bay and Beechey Island, where the graves of three Franklin expedition members remain. Landings and the sequence are flexible.
Baffin Island and Sam Ford Fjord
Sail south along Baffin Island’s east coast, with time for presentations and viewing from deck. Sam Ford Fjord offers towering rock walls and, in suitable conditions, Zodiac exploration and opportunities ashore.
.jpg){kind=link}
Cross the Davis Strait
Travel east towards Greenland. The team’s presentations connect the Canadian Arctic experiences with the places ahead, while open decks provide room to watch the sea.
West Greenland
Explore a coast of icebergs, mountains and communities. Ilulissat’s Icefjord, Eternity Fjord and Maniitsoq are possible highlights. Walks and Zodiac outings provide complementary views of the landscape, with whale watching opportunities along the coast.
Kangerlussuaq and flight to Iceland
Disembark via Zodiac, transfer to the airport and take the charter flight to Iceland. The package includes the specified transfer and an overnight hotel stay after arrival.
Onward travel
After breakfast, make your own airport transfer or continue with an Iceland extension. We help plan flights and any additional nights around the operator’s final schedule.
Indicative operator programme. Weather, ice, permissions, community arrangements and wildlife determine the final route. Images illustrate the region and experience; sightings and individual landings cannot be guaranteed.
Dates & departures
2027 sailings
| Starts | Ends | Ship |
|---|---|---|
| 16 August | 1 September | Ultramarine |
| 30 August | 15 September | Ultramarine |
Seventeen-day programmes with different route sequences. The mandatory Charter Flight & Hotel Package is quoted with your voyage. No 2028 sailing was displayed on the itinerary page reviewed.
Dates, cabins and your quote
Ask for one complete quote showing the voyage, mandatory Charter Flight & Hotel Package, cabin basis and any applicable promotion. We do not present the cruise-only headline as the total trip cost.
Life aboard Ultramarine
Ultramarine accommodates up to 199 guests. Its observation lounge, restaurant, library and wellness spaces complement a purpose-built expedition layout, with ready rooms, a water-level Zodiac hangar and two helicopters.
Discover the Canadian High Arctic
Official Quark Expeditions regional film.
A day aboard Ultramarine
Official Quark Expeditions ship film.
Choose your cabin
Compare the categories below, then ask us about the best location and layout for you. Images are representative; individual cabins can vary. Availability and sole-use options depend on the departure.
Explorer Triple
26.5 m² · Deck 3
Three single beds and a picture window; a shared option for solo travellers or groups.
More photos and layout
Explorer Suite
26.5 m² · Deck 3
Twin or double beds, picture window and a sitting area.
More photos and layout
Balcony Suite
21 m² + 4.8 m² balcony
A private balcony and twin or double sleeping arrangement.
More photos and layout
Deluxe Balcony Suite
27.8 m² + 6.5 m² balcony
More living space, with both bathtub and shower.
More photos and layout
Solo Panorama
12.3 m² · Deck 6
A single bed and floor-to-ceiling window for a traveller wanting their own space.
More photos and layout
Terrace Suite
32.5 m² + 9.3 m² balcony
A wide layout and a particularly generous private balcony.
More photos and layout
Owner’s Suite
41.4 m² + 4.3 m² balcony
A separate bedroom, living areas and additional powder room.
More photos and layout
Ultra Suite
52.3 m² + 4.3 m² balcony
The largest category, with separate bedroom, extensive living space and storage.
More photos and layout
Penthouse Suite
34.3 m² + 6.2 m² balcony · Deck 7
A spacious upper-deck option near the wellness facilities.
More photos and layout
What the voyage includes
Included
- Expedition accommodationYour selected cabin and onboard meals during the voyage.
- Guided explorationExpedition presentations, planned Zodiac excursions and shore visits, subject to conditions.
- FlightseeingThe itinerary includes a planned helicopter flightseeing experience, subject to safe operating conditions.
Budget separately
- Mandatory travel packageThe required Charter Flight & Hotel Package is additional to the voyage fare; include it in your budget.
- International travelFlights to and from Iceland, independent transfers and additional hotel stays.
- Personal and optional costsTravel insurance, optional activities and other personal expenses; confirm gratuities and beverage terms in your quote.
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your wishes, dates and questions. We’ll help you choose with confidence.
Voyage information
Details checked 3 September 2026 against the official operator itinerary. Photographs and films are credited to their respective operators and photographers. Ask Expedition Advisory for the current programme and booking terms.