This morning, an early announcement woke everyone with news of a very pleasant surprise: narwhals! Several groups of the mythical cetaceans swam alongside National Geographic Endurance. We spotted them along both shorelines of the Buchan Gulf on the eastern side of Baffin Island. We all enjoyed observing them from a distance. Later, some kayakers had a chance to see them a bit closer. Meanwhile, adventurous hikers found caribou antlers ashore while learning about the ecology of the Arctic. Long hikers also had unique encounters, including an opportunity to admire a snowy owl! Most of us had the chance to investigate the carcass of a young narwhal on the beach. Hikes in the afternoon allowed us to learn more about the tundra. We visited the remains of some old Inuit winter hunting camps, rounding out a great day exploring the Canadian Arctic.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 27 Aug 2024
Buchan Gulf, Baffin Island, 8/27/2024, National Geographic Endurance
- Aboard the National Geographic Endurance
- Arctic
Carlos Navarro, Undersea Specialist
Carlos J. Navarro is a biochemist specializing in marine biology, a M. Sc. in Environmental Management and a freelance wildlife photographer/author. Carlos has spent most of the last 30 years living along the shores of the Sea of Cortez and participa...
Read MoreShare Report
High Arctic Archipelago: Canada and Greenland
VIEW ITINERARYRelated Reports
9/10/2024
Read
National Geographic Endurance
Ilulissat, Greenland
Today began with a stunning sunrise as we sailed into the harbor of Ilulissat. The sun crested the horizon, casting a golden glow over the hundreds of icebergs floating majestically in the inlet of the fjord. The morning was clear and bright, setting the perfect stage for our day’s adventures. The long hikers embarked on the renowned Yellow Trail, a picturesque route from the city along the shoreline to the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre. They were treated to breathtaking views of colossal icebergs up close, their sheer size and intricate blue hues providing a spectacular backdrop. In the afternoon, we took to small local boats to navigate among the icebergs, some towering over 100 feet above us. The journey was both thrilling and serene, with the sun shining brightly throughout the day, enhancing the icy splendor around us. The evening brought a relaxing recap of the day’s experiences over dinner, followed by a fascinating talk from our guide on Greenlandic ice formations. The beauty and grandeur of Ilulissat left a lasting impression on all of us.
9/9/2024
Read
National Geographic Endurance
Uummannaq Fjord
The day began with a Zodiac operation of the Inukassaat Fjord, north of Uummannaq. As we were greeted with the grand mountains of the west Greenland fjords, the icebergs made loud sounds of calving and the variety of birds flying over the landscape reminded us how vast the fjord is. For the afternoon activity, National Geographic Endurance proceeded further into the Kangerlussuaq Fjord where there was a landing site with an old hut used by the Greenlandic Inuit. The hikes that followed allowed us to get a clear view of the valley with the glacier and the tundra flora of the arctic autumn, giving us its last display of colors before winter’s descent. After the daily recaps and another lovely dinner, the evening movie, “The Eskimo Experiment”, was shown as our cultural ambassador Peter Freuchen provided some context to the movie.