Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island on Earth, and the moment you step ashore at Dundas Harbour, that fact hits you like Arctic wind. This is raw, unfiltered wilderness — a ghost settlement, towering cliffs, and silence so complete it feels alive. Come prepared, and this stop will be the most unforgettable day of your entire expedition.
Arriving by Ship
There is no dock at Dundas Harbour — all arrivals are by Zodiac tender, landing on a rocky beach where the water is bitterly cold and the swell can be unpredictable. Expedition staff will guide you ashore, but expect wet feet and some agility required when stepping from the inflatable to the gravel.
The “harbour” itself is little more than a shallow bay flanked by dramatic cliffs and tundra slopes. There is no town, no infrastructure, and no permanent residents — just the ruins of an RCMP post and the vast, breathtaking emptiness of the High Arctic.
Things to Do
Devon Island rewards the genuinely curious. This is not a beach-chair destination — it’s a place for explorers, history lovers, and anyone who wants to feel the true edge of the world beneath their boots.
History
- Tour the abandoned RCMP detachment buildings — established in 1924 and staffed until 1936, the crumbling structures still hold rusted equipment and are one of the best-preserved Arctic outpost sites accessible by ship.
- Visit the RCMP officers’ graves — two officers, Const. Victor Maisonneuve and Const. William Stephens, are buried here, their headstones standing as sobering reminders of the brutal toll this posting took.
- Explore the Thule Inuit tent rings — scattered across the tundra, these ancient stone circles predate European contact and are among the most atmospheric archaeological sites in the Canadian Arctic.
Wildlife & Nature
- Scan the cliffs for Thick-billed Murres — thousands nest on the sheer rock faces above the bay, creating a spectacular wall of seabirds visible from shore.
- Watch for Arctic foxes along the tundra ridge — sightings are surprisingly common, and the animals are often remarkably unafraid of visitors.
- Hike up to the plateau above the bay — the elevation offers panoramic views across Lancaster Sound, where bowhead whales are sometimes visible from above.
- Look for muskoxen on the inland slopes — Devon Island supports a healthy population, and guided walks frequently encounter small herds within a kilometre of the landing site.
NASA Connection
- Ask your expedition guide about the Mars research — NASA has used Devon Island’s barren, crater-pocked terrain as a Mars analogue since the late 1990s, and your guide can point out the Haughton Impact Crater area on maps.
What to Eat
There are no restaurants, cafés, or food vendors at Dundas Harbour — none whatsoever. Every meal on this stop happens back aboard your expedition ship, which will typically prepare Arctic-inspired menus timed around your shore excursion.
- Ship-prepared Arctic char — many expedition vessels source fresh char and serve it grilled or cured; it’s delicate, pink, and genuinely wild, included in your cruise dining.
- Bannock bread — some ships offer this traditional Indigenous flatbread as part of a cultural food feature during High Arctic itineraries; ask your dining team.
- Reindeer or caribou stew — a warming staple on cold expedition days, served aboard as part of themed dinners after notable landings; included in cruise dining.
- Hot chocolate and soup on the Zodiac deck — many expedition operators serve hot drinks dockside as you return from shore; free and absolutely essential.
- Packed shore lunches — request one from your ship’s galley the night before if you plan a longer hike; usually included but requires advance notice.
Shopping
There is nothing to buy at Dundas Harbour itself — no stalls, no vendors, no gift shops. Any shopping relevant to this destination happens aboard your ship, where expedition boutiques often stock Inuit art, Canadian Arctic literature, and region-specific maps.
If genuine Inuit art matters to you, save your budget for ports like Pond Inlet or Resolute, where you can buy directly from local artisans and ensure your dollars support the community. Avoid purchasing any items made from marine mammal parts unless you are confident of the legal implications for your home country’s customs regulations.
Practical Tips
- Layer aggressively — air temperatures at Dundas Harbour regularly sit between -2°C and 8°C even in July and August; wind chill makes it feel sharper.
- Wear waterproof boots with ankle support — the Zodiac landing is wet and the tundra is uneven; hiking sandals are completely unsuitable.
- There is no currency needed ashore — bring nothing except your camera, water bottle, and a charged battery pack for your devices.
- Listen to the expedition briefing the night before — landing conditions can change overnight due to ice, weather, or wildlife, and plans shift quickly.
- Two to three hours ashore is plenty — the site rewards slow exploration, but most programmes run 2.5 hours before the weather or tides dictate return.
- Tipping norms follow your ship’s policy — typically USD $15–20 per day for expedition staff is customary on Arctic voyages.
- Go ashore on the first Zodiac run if you can — morning light on the cliffs and ruins is extraordinary, and wildlife is more active before the full group arrives.
Devon Island will strip away every assumption you had about what a cruise destination should be — and leave you with something far more rare: a memory that genuinely can’t be replicated anywhere else on Earth.
📍 Getting to Devon Island, Dundas Harbour, Nunavut Canada
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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