Cartwright, Labrador, Canada
One of Atlantic Canada's most remote cruise calls, Cartwright opens a door to raw boreal wilderness, Viking-named beaches stretching 56 km, and a small-town warmth that few travellers ever encounter.
One of Atlantic Canada's most remote cruise calls, Cartwright opens a door to raw boreal wilderness, Viking-named beaches stretching 56 km, and a small-town warmth that few travellers ever encounter.
Cartwright has no cruise pier — all ships anchor offshore and ferry passengers ashore by tender to the small craft harbour.
💡 Pro move: Cell coverage is minimal in Cartwright. Download offline maps before your call day.
Cartwright is strictly a tender port — ships anchor offshore and operate their own tender service to the small craft harbour.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Holland America, Viking, other premium lines | Small craft harbour, Cartwright📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition/expedition-style vessels | Small craft harbour, Cartwright📍 | Tendered |
Cartwright's big draws are all outdoors — Viking beaches, boreal wilderness, and one of Labrador's finest seabird reserves.
A short but rewarding hike to the historic cannons atop Flagstaff Hill, with panoramic views over Sandwich Bay and a distant glimpse of the Wonderstrands — the 56 km beach named by Norse explorers around 1000 AD.
Find guided walking tours →A locally-guided tour exploring Cartwright's Inuit, Métis, and settler heritage, including the Mealy Mountain Gallery craft shop and insights into the town's founding in 1775. Small group, personal, and authentically Labrador.
Find history tours in Cartwright →About 40 km northeast of Cartwright, the Gannet Islands host the largest seabird colony in Labrador — Atlantic puffins, common murres, and the largest razorbill colony in North America. Landing is restricted to scientific research, so outfitters offer this as a full-day boat trip viewing the colonies from the water.
Find seabird boat tours →Paddle the sheltered waters of Sandwich Bay surrounded by boreal forest and dramatic Labrador coastline. Local outfitters offer guided half-day paddles suitable for beginners with some fitness.
Find kayak tours in Cartwright →Canada's newest national park reserve (10,700 km²) is accessible from Cartwright by boat or outfitter. Expect boreal forest, caribou, wolves, salmon rivers, and Labrador tundra at its most pristine — best as a guided full-day trip.
Find Mealy Mountains guided tours →Cartwright is tiny and easily explored on foot; the main walk to Flagstaff Hill is the highlight and doable in any standard call.
From the tender dock, walk through Cartwright's small centre past the Mealy Mountain Gallery, then follow the Flagstaff Hill Hiking Trail (marked by Labrador flag rocks) to the hilltop cannons and the best views in town. Return the same way.
A short, flat walk along the Cartwright waterfront for views of the anchored ship, fishing boats, and the wide expanse of Sandwich Bay. Best for passengers with limited mobility or time.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Cartwright, Labrador, Canada (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°F / -9°C | 3°F / -16°C | 11 |
| Feb | 14°F / -10°C | 1°F / -17°C | 10 |
| Mar | 24°F / -4°C | 12°F / -11°C | 12 |
| Apr | 35°F / 2°C | 23°F / -5°C | 12 |
| May | 42°F / 6°C | 30°F / -1°C | 14 |
| Jun | 55°F / 13°C | 40°F / 4°C | 14 |
| Jul | 65°F / 18°C | 50°F / 10°C | 14 |
| Aug | 65°F / 18°C | 51°F / 11°C | 15 |
| Sep | 56°F / 13°C | 43°F / 6°C | 14 |
| Oct | 46°F / 8°C | 36°F / 2°C | 13 |
| Nov | 32°F / 0°C | 23°F / -5°C | 13 |
| Dec | 25°F / -4°C | 13°F / -11°C | 13 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)