Cunningham Inlet is one of the best spots in the world to observe beluga whales. Arctic Watch was initially built as a whale-watching lodge. Two thousand beluga whales congregate in Cunningham Inlet from approximately early July to August 10th. The majority of the whales group at the mouth of the Cunningham River to molt play and nurse their young. The premier whale watching locations are only a fifteen-minute walk from the lodge. Beluga whale watching can be done at any time.

Hiking and Walking:
With mountains to climb and numerous canyons to explore on Somerset Island, hiking and walking are one of the most popular activities. It is an excellent method to approach the local wildlife, view wild flowers and hunt for fossils.

Arctic Fauna Observation:
Musk-oxen roaming the tundra, baby foxes playing on the local “fox mound”, innumerable birds nesting annually throughout the surroundings, whales by the thousands, curious seals and even the occasional polar bear make the arctic an excellent place to observe nature at its finest.

Historical Site Viewing:
Dotted throughout Somerset Island and within the vicinity of Arctic Watch, numerous historical and archeological sites are easily accessible by foot, ATV or kayak. The majority of the sites, being Thule (AD 1000 – 1400) and paleo-eskimo, are well known for their simple stone construction.

Other historical sites accessible by aircraft are:

Port Leopold: Located on the easter side of Somerset Island, the port is home to an old Hudson’s Bay trading post. During the first british northwest passage voyage of 1819-1820, William Parry left his ship’s anchor and scratched his name on the rock.

Fury Beach: During his third arctic voyage in 1825, Parry ran his ship “Fury” aground. Subsequently damaged and later abandoned, the location became known as “Fury Beach”. Throughout the ninteenth century, the Inuit took most of the valuable wood, yet there must be remains. Can a guest find something there? We shall look.

Hazard Inlet: Southeastern Somerset Island is home to the most intensive prehistoric Thule Eskimo occupations in the Canadian Arctic. Home to more archeological features
relating to this culture than anywhere else in the Canadian Arctic, and more whale bone. (Southeastern Somerset Island contains approximately 40% of all known archeological whale bone in the Canadian Arctic.)

Fishing:
Inuskshuk lake, located within a two hour ATV drive from Arctic Watch, is a well known place for Arctic Char. Char, “the best tasting fish”, is a member of the trout and salmon family. The fish at Inukshuk lake generally run from 3 to ten pounds. Several other locations are easily accessible from arctic watch where one can fish for char.

Creswell Bay, located on the southern tip of Somerset Island, boasts world-class char fishing. On a four-hour time period, several hundred char have been cought and released-All ranging from 15 to 25 pounds.

Birding:
For the avid birder at Arctic Watch; special trips are made by foot, sea kayak and ATV. A summer home for many species of marine and land birds, Northern Somerset is home to nearly 50 different species, including:

Deemed a bird sanctuary by the Canadian government, Prince Leopold Island (north of Somerset), is home to thousands of thick-billed murres, black guillemots, northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. Reveared among bird watchers, the island is accessible by airplane with the necessary permits-- Canadian Arctic Holidays has the necessary permits to visit the island.

The second option, equally popular, is to paddle the lower section of the Cunningham River. The river, crystal clear, snakes through a large canyon. A pair of rough-legged hawks nest along the cliffs, enabling us to get a good view. The canyon, teaming with fossils, bends a magnificent 180 degrees and heads towards Arctic Watch. The river is deemed class 1 and 2, meaning swift water, with no rapids. The easy paddle takes roughly 3 hours.

ATVs are simple and easy to drive. The ATV excursions are lead along designated trails. Beginning each week, guests are given thorough instructions on how to drive them. Should a guest not wish to learn or ride these vehicles, we will more than happily find alternate activity tailored to their wishes.