Cartwright is one of the most remote cruise stops in eastern Canada — a tiny Labrador community of fewer than 500 people perched on the edge of a vast, untamed wilderness. Polar bears have been spotted wandering its shores, icebergs drift past like slow-moving architecture, and the silence here is the kind you feel in your chest. If you’re lucky enough to have this port on your itinerary, pay attention — it’s unlike anywhere else on earth.
Arriving by Ship
Most expedition and small cruise ships anchor offshore and bring passengers ashore by tender, as Cartwright’s dock facilities are modest and designed primarily for local fishing and supply vessels. The tender ride itself is short — typically under ten minutes — and gives you your first jaw-dropping view of the Mealy Mountains rising behind the town. Once ashore, the community is compact and almost entirely walkable.
Things to Do
Cartwright punches well above its size when it comes to raw, unforgettable experiences. The surrounding Labrador wilderness — boreal forest, coastal barrens, rivers thick with Atlantic salmon — is the main attraction, but the community itself carries a rich history worth exploring.
History & Culture
- Cartwright Heritage Museum — This small but well-curated museum tells the story of Moravian missionaries, Inuit culture, and the legendary English trader Captain George Cartwright, after whom the town is named; admission is typically a small donation.
- Sandwich Bay Archaeological Sites — The area contains some of the most significant Indigenous and pre-contact archaeological sites in Atlantic Canada, with Inuit, Dorset, and Maritime Archaic layers spanning thousands of years.
- Charles Foreman Building — One of the oldest surviving structures in Labrador, this weathered wooden building dates to the early 20th-century trading era and is a fascinating stop for history lovers.
Nature & Wildlife
- Wonderstrand Beach — A 50-kilometre stretch of sand believed by some historians to be the “Furdustrandir” described in the Norse Vinland sagas; you can walk a stunning section right from town.
- Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve — Canada’s newest national park reserve surrounds Cartwright and offers guided day hikes through pristine boreal wilderness with caribou sightings common in season.
- Iceberg and Wildlife Viewing from Shore — From late spring through early summer, icebergs calved from Greenland glaciers drift past town; scan the shoreline for harbour seals and, occasionally, black bears.
- Birdwatching at Sandwich Bay — The estuary hosts enormous concentrations of shorebirds during migration, including rare species not commonly seen elsewhere in Canada.
- Local Guided Boat Tours — Several community operators offer boat trips into Sandwich Bay and along the coast to see seabirds, seals, and dramatic coastal geology up close; book through the town’s visitor centre as availability varies.
Families
- Labrador Coastal Drive Walk — A leisurely walk along the community’s coastal trail offers easy, rewarding views suitable for all ages with virtually no elevation gain.
What to Eat
Food in Cartwright is honest, hearty, and deeply rooted in the land and sea around it. Don’t expect fine dining — expect real Labrador cooking, often featuring ingredients pulled straight from the surrounding wilderness.
- Fresh Atlantic Salmon — Wild-caught and locally smoked or pan-fried, this is the defining dish of the region; ask at the community centre or local households if any is available during your visit.
- Bakeapple Jam — Made from cloudberries hand-picked on the Labrador barrens, this amber jam is intensely flavoured and found at local households and community events; a small jar runs around CAD $8–12.
- Jiggs’ Dinner — A traditional Newfoundland and Labrador Sunday meal of salt beef, boiled root vegetables, and pease pudding; occasionally available at community functions or local homes welcoming cruise visitors.
- Partridgeberry Desserts — Tarts and muffins made with wild partridgeberries (lingonberries) appear at community gatherings and are sharp, sweet, and completely addictive.
- Local Bannock — A dense, pan-fried bread with Indigenous roots, often served warm with butter or jam; look for it at community events and informal gatherings.
Shopping
Shopping in Cartwright is intimate and personal — this is not a place for souvenir shops or mass-produced trinkets. Local artisans occasionally sell handmade crafts including Labrador moccasins, fur mitts, beaded jewellery, and hand-sewn parkas that reflect genuine Indigenous and settler traditions. If you spot any, buy immediately — supply is extremely limited and these are among the most authentic crafts you’ll find anywhere in Canada.
Avoid expecting any fixed retail infrastructure. Bring cash, be open to informal transactions, and treat every purchase as a direct cultural exchange with the maker.
Practical Tips
- Bring Canadian dollars in cash — There are no ATMs in Cartwright, and card machines are unreliable.
- Dress in layers — Even in July, temperatures can drop sharply with coastal winds; a windproof shell is essential.
- Go ashore early — Wildlife activity, particularly birdlife and seals, is most active in the morning hours.
- You only need 3–4 hours — The town is small; budget half a day and spend the rest in nature.
- Tipping — Not expected for community encounters, but a small cash tip is warmly received for any guided local tours.
- Insect repellent is non-negotiable — Labrador’s blackflies and mosquitoes in summer are legendary; bring a strong DEET-based repellent.
- Respect the pace — This is a living community, not a tourist attraction; move slowly, ask before photographing people, and follow local cues.
Cartwright will quietly rearrange your sense of what the world can still look like — go ashore with open eyes and you’ll carry a piece of Labrador’s wild, unhurried soul with you long after the ship sails.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
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📍 Getting to Cartwright NL, Newfoundland-Labrador Canada
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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