One of the most remote stops on any Northwest Passage expedition, Herschel Island (Qikiqtaruk) pairs crumbling 1890s whaling ruins with raw Arctic tundra, polar bears, and an unforgettable Zodiac wet landing at Pauline Cove.
There is no dock on Herschel Island — your ship's expedition team ferries all passengers ashore via Zodiac to a gravel beach at Pauline Cove.
💡 Pro move: Season runs mid-June to mid-September. Visits depend on ice conditions and may be cancelled at short notice. All access requires advance permits arranged by your cruise line.
All ships anchor offshore and transfer passengers to Pauline Cove by Zodiac — there are no piers or docks of any kind.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition cruise lines (Lindblad, Adventure Canada, Quark, Silversea, etc.) | Anchored in Pauline Cove📍 | Tendered |
Every activity on Herschel Island is guided, free of charge, and led by Yukon Park Rangers or your ship's expedition team.
Explore the oldest surviving frame buildings in the Yukon — the 1890s Pacific Steam Whaling Company office, the Anglican Mission, Inuvialuit sod house remains, and the massive whale bone pile left by 19th-century hunters.
Book Northwest Passage expeditions →Guided walks of 1-5 km over spongy, uneven permafrost reveal wildflowers, lemmings, Arctic foxes, muskoxen, and nesting seabirds including Arctic Terns and Black Guillemots.
Book expedition shore excursions →Ringed seals, beluga whales, and the occasional polar bear in the water can be spotted from the spit or during the Zodiac transit. Your guides will call out sightings.
Book wildlife expedition cruises →A rite of passage on Northwest Passage expeditions — a ship-supervised leap into the Beaufort Sea (0-3°C). Medical crew and safety team are always present.
Book Northwest Passage cruises →A short walk uphill from the cove leads to the cemetery where American whalers who perished here are buried, with panoramic views of Pauline Cove and the Mackenzie Delta coast.
Book guided expedition tours →Walking is entirely guided due to bear risk — rangers and bear guards accompany all groups.
From the Zodiac landing beach, follow the gravel spit past the whale bone pile to the former whaling company buildings, the ranger station, and the Inuvialuit sod house remains, then loop back along the beach.
📍 Open in MapsGuided hike inland across permafrost tundra to elevated ground, offering views of the entire island and the Beaufort Sea. Watch for muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and permafrost slumps along the eroding cliffs.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Herschel Island (Qikiqtaruk), Yukon, Canada. This is a high-Arctic tundra climate above the Arctic Circle — expect cold, windy conditions even in the short summer expedition season. Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many precip days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -11°F / -24°C | -21°F / -29°C | 4 | Down all day | — |
| Feb | -12°F / -24°C | -22°F / -30°C | 4 | 10:51 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Mar | -3°F / -19°C | -15°F / -26°C | 4 | 8:42 AM | 8:09 PM |
| Apr | 12°F / -11°C | 0°F / -18°C | 4 | 6:19 AM | 10:14 PM |
| May | 30°F / -1°C | 21°F / -6°C | 5 | 3:24 AM | 1:00 AM |
| Jun | 45°F / 7°C | 35°F / 2°C | 8 | Up all day | — |
| Jul | 55°F / 13°C | 43°F / 6°C | 11 | Up all day | — |
| Aug | 50°F / 10°C | 40°F / 4°C | 12 | 5:14 AM | 11:27 PM |
| Sep | 40°F / 4°C | 31°F / -1°C | 9 | 7:25 AM | 8:57 PM |
| Oct | 23°F / -5°C | 13°F / -11°C | 6 | 9:22 AM | 6:41 PM |
| Nov | 5°F / -15°C | -6°F / -21°C | 5 | 11:51 AM | 4:10 PM |
| Dec | -8°F / -22°C | -18°F / -28°C | 4 | Down all day | — |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)