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Discover a magical underwater world while ice diving in the Arctic while following a program of progressive dives. We may start off with simple dives in an open water environment off the floe edge and finish the trip with diving a grounded iceberg. Arctic diving in a drysuit will require more weight than you are normally accustomed to, so we will inspect your equipment and ensure all is functioning correctly and that you are weighted for neutral buoyancy. Each dive will progressively build on the previous dive.
As we evaluate your Arctic diving comfort, we will attempt to dive in an overhead environment, perhaps through a seal hole, or through a crack in the sea ice, or maybe even under the floe edge on a line. Finally, the pinnacle of diving in the Arctic will be on a grounded iceberg. (Subject to local conditions: An iceberg must be present and a safe entry/exit point such as a crack or melt-water pool must be available)
Day 1
Upon landing in Pond Inlet, you will be welcomed by our local representative and transferred to a local hotel. Meet your Expedition Leader for a trip briefing and hot dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2
After breakfast, an orientation from Parks Canada, meet your guides on the beach in preparation for your departure to our camp on Eclipse Sound. Travelling to our Arctic Safari Camp by qamutik (a traditional Inuit wooden sled with suspension or foam padded seats pulled behind a snowmobile), you will experience the exhilaration of gliding across the ice. The journey’s time will vary depending on ice conditions but will include tea and coffee stops. Our Arctic Safari Camp will be set up a few kilometres back from the floe edge.
Days 3-6
Spend the next few days reveling in some of the best diving you’ll ever experience. Following a program of progressive dives, you’ll enjoy new experiences every day as you become more comfortable with this unique underwater environment.
Explore the Arctic sea floor and discover urchins, starfish, and glittering jellyfish. Witness the surreal world of blue and turquoise ice juxtaposed with the black depths below. This is an underwater photographer’s paradise. Above the water and on land, you’ll experience other spectacular scenes and exciting adventures. Expect to see icebergs, ‘bergy- bits’, and drifting pack ice with playful seals poking their heads up out of the water to look directly at you. On the floe-edge, you will have the opportunity to see narwhals, bowhead, and polar bears on the prowl, seals sunning themselves, possibly walrus and beluga, and other Arctic wildlife. Migratory birds can also be seen in abundance. Pure white Ivory Gulls, gaudy King Eider, low flying Northern Fulmars, Thick-billed Murres, Kittiwakes, and Greater Snow Geese are just a few of the bird species known to frequent the area. Ice conditions permitting, you may also visit the Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, where more than 200,000 birds choose to nest each year. Other activities include kayaking and hiking, and you may have a chance to visit the evocative ancient Thule sites, where you will see the traditional tent rings and learn about the culture and history of the ancestors of Inuit.
Day 7
After breakfast, depart camp by qamutik and snowmobile to Pond Inlet. Enjoy your final night in Pond Inlet with a special Inuit cultural presentation. Overnight in hotel.
Day 8
Depart for Ottawa with the spirit of the Arctic, and a full album
of memories and friendships.
