Greenland & Wild Labrador | Ocean Nova

Begin your journey by sailing out of Kangerlussuaq Fjord (Søndre Strømfjord), a 190-kilometre-long fjord surrounded by mountains and glaciers.

Cross the Arctic Circle on your way and spend time on deck watching for aurora borealis. Kangerlussuaq, the settlement at the head of the fjord, is a former US Air Force base.

After your (optional) charter flight from Toronto, Canada, you'll transfer to the ship by zodiac.

Kangerlussuatsiaq means “the rather big fjord” in Greenlandic, while the Danish name Evighedsfjorden translates to “the fjord of eternity,” underscoring its vastness and seemingly never-ending nature.

See why Kangerlussuatsiaq Fjord lives up to its name and marvel at this complex coastal waterway that includes calving glaciers, sheer bird cliffs, and streams cascading against a towering mountain backdrop.Explore this sublime glacial landscape by ship and by Zodiac.

The waters here are relatively warm, due to the West Greenland Current and the subarctic location.

Stop in at vibrant Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Visit the Greenland National Museum, one of the city’s many outstanding features, where the world-famous Qilakitsoq mummies rest.

The old harbour includes many buildings dating from Danish colonial days, while contemporary Nuuk is known for art, shopping, pubs, and cafés.

Deepen your understanding of the environment, cultures, and history of the region as we sail across the Davis Strait towards Labrador. Get the privileged opportunity to engage with and learn from Inuit in their homeland.

Enjoy workshops and presentations, watch a documentary, and get out on deck! Try your hand at athletic feats during an interactive cultural performance of Inuit games.

Through shared experiences and interactions, develop a deep appreciation for the culture and gain a connection to the stunning landscapes we traverse. Keep your binoculars ready to spot whales and seabirds who follow in our wake.

Spend four days exploring an area of treeless, mountainous tundra in Torngat Mountains National Park, where some of Canada’s highest peaks east of the Rockies are found. Enjoy your time hiking, visiting archaeological sites, and Zodiac cruising. Here, Inuit of Nunatsiavut will be your guides in their spiritual homeland.

Inuit of Nunavik and Nunatsiavut play a key role as partners in the management of Torngat Mountains National Park, and many see the park as a portal for better understanding of Inuit culture. The word Torngat is derived from the Inuttut word tongait, meaning “place of spirits,” where Inuit shamans travelled to connect with higher powers. It is not hard, even for a visitor, to feel the power of the place.

Marvel at the gorgeous fjords, landscapes ablaze with autumn colours, and wonderful wildlife sighting opportunities, including the possibility of both polar and black bears.

Step back in time to the historical site of Hebron, which preserves a Moravian Mission station dating from the 1830s. Call in at the old church, where Inuit who resided here in 1959 learned of their forced relocation.

Take a moment to let history sink in and read the plaque that commemorates this history and the apology to people affected by the relocations, issued by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2005.

Listen to the stories shared by our guides and meet former Hebron residents and their kin who continue to visit the site and to hunt and fish nearby.

Visit Nain, the most northerly community in Labrador and the administrative capital of Nunatsiavut.

Stop in at the historic Moravian church, enjoy the brass band, and visit Illusuak, the stunning cultural centre.

Expect a warm welcome and the opportunity to peruse arts and handicrafts at this dynamic visit. This will be your first chance to see trees since the start of your journey!

As we continue south the rugged peaks of the North give way to rolling, forested hills and tranquil inlets. Hundreds of rocky islets interrupt the open Labrador Sea, offering some shelter for vibrant Inuit communities where traditions endure and stories flow with the tides. The modern-day cultural mix of this area makes for a rich blend of stories about both different and shared values, resilience, and the universal love of the land and sea.

Conditions allowing, we'll embark on expedition landings and Zodiac cruises led by our expedition team. Their expert guidance ensures both your safety and a deeper appreciation of the coastal barrens, boreal forests, wetlands, and rugged shorelines of this remarkable region. Come with an open heart, leave with a new understanding of these magnificent Labrador shores.

Wander through the reconstructed Viking habitation at L’Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only authenticated Norse settlement in North America.

Learn more about the archaeological remains that date to approximately 1000 CE, and how—amazingly—the site was first found here in 1960 by a close reading of the Viking sagas.

Be sure to visit the superb interpretation centre and meet the actors in period costumes as you make your way through the reconstructed Norse-style sod buildings. This is a must-see for any visitor to Newfoundland and Labrador!

The northeast coast of Newfoundland is known for the dozens of picturesque villages that dot its rocky shores, and we’ll find harbour in one of these unique communities. We look forward to a characteristically warm Newfoundland welcome upon our arrival. Photographers will have their work cut out for them capturing the special charm of classic island architecture.

Welcome to St. John’s—the vibrant capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Complete your journey by sailing into historic St. John’s harbour, looking out for Signal Hill as you enter the world-famous Narrows. Photograph the charming houses of the Battery, always a hit with shutterbugs. Say your farewells in this cultural hotspot and what is sometimes called North America's oldest city.

*Please note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, ice conditions and other factors.