Included Northwest Passage by Zodiac & Walks Ashore
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Port
The Seabourn Northwest Passage Experience (Day 3)
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$0
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
90 Minutes
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Explore the grand landscape of the Northwest Passage — the northern shortcut between the Atlantic and the Pacific that eluded Captain Cook and dozens of others. Eighteenth-century explorers knew it existed but were unaware that the passage had closed up during a sudden cooling period. Today, it has reopened, forming a vast alleyway choked with grand-daddy icebergs, glacier fronts, and wildlife along the water's edge. Join the Expedition team to search for the marine life that depends on ice and the rich shoreline environment for food and habitat.
Ashore on the many islands, the Expedition team interprets a lonely, tundra-covered landscape bedecked with tiny, fragile plant communities.
Some of the potential highlights among our stops in the Northwest Passage include:
Beechy Island: The most infamous story of loss in the Northwest Passage was that of the Franklin Expedition. Two ships, Erebus and Terror, were last seen in 1845 in Baffin Bay. The wreck of Erebus was found in 2014, and Terror in 2016. A spot on Devon Island marks the lonely graves of four members of the Franklin Expedition. What was their fate, and who buried them? Take a moment to contemplate the mystery and its place in this region's history.
Devon Island: The world’s largest uninhabited island, located west of Baffin Bay, is known as “Mars on Earth” for its barren, rocky terrain and polar desert climate.
Bellot Strait: A narrow gap just 16 miles long and a mile wide, Bellot Strait separates Somerset Island from the northernmost tip of mainland Canada. With steep slopes on either side and strong currents, it's a navigational challenge, often blocked with so much ice that ships cannot pass. To the extent possible on the day, explore Bellot Strait with the Expedition team. The sea ice provides a platform for marine mammals such as seals and polar bears, with Arctic cetaceans handily slicing between the ice floes to hunt them. Whether we are able to navigate through Bellot Strait or we take the "high road" and head north around the island, this part of our voyage through the Northwest Passage is one of fascinating contemplation and remarkable discovery.
Tundra landscapes: Hike across vast, seemingly barren landscapes with the Expedition team, who will show you the delightful small plants and flowers that thrive in this hostile environment. Admire rock formations and landscapes created by frost and water over time. There is always a chance to encounter arctic foxes, hares, or interesting bird species while exploring on the tundra.
Cultural remains: Many of the areas we pass through were once traditional hunting and fishing locations for both Inuit and Europeans. Species such as caribou, seals, and Arctic char were harvested here for many centuries. Archaeological discoveries indicate that the pre-Dorset people inhabited this area approximately 4,000 years ago.
Please note: Included Expeditions cannot be booked in advance. The ship's Expedition team will communicate finalized content and departure information. Dress warmly in layers with a windproof and waterproof outer layer; bring a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. Life jackets are provided and must be worn. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed.