Pond Inlet

Photo: Norman Koonoo

Overview

A popular polar Arctic tourist destination, Pond Inlet is located on northern Baffin Island in the Qikiqtaaluk region of Nunavut. The community has a population of about 1,555 people (2021 census).

Pond Inlet is part of the Eastern Standard time zone along with most of Ontario and Quebec. Getting to Pond Inlet from southern Canada involves a total of 6 hours of travel time, including a 3-hour and 15-minute flight from Ottawa to Iqaluit followed by a 2-hour and 45-minute flight from Iqaluit to Pond Inlet.

Photo: Iga Arnaquti Atagoota

Highlights

Pond Inlet is considered to be one of Canada’s true “jewels of the north.” To the Inuit, the place "is and always has been Mittimatalik” in Inuktitut after an unknown ancient person presumed to be buried there. The area has an abundance of wildlife, including polar bears, caribou, wolves, arctic foxes, ringed seal, and narwhals. It attracts hundreds of visitors each year. The Bylot Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary is 25 kilometres north of Pond Inlet.

Many Inuit in Pond Inlet are related to families in Igloolik. Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation's open-pit mine is located 160 kilometres southwest of Pond Inlet.

The hamlet also has a local community theatre group – founded in 1987, the Tununiq Arsarniit Theatre Group has an original play titled Qallupilluk which features legends, myths and the wisdom of elders.

Weather and landscape

Photo: Kat Marie

Pond Inlet is located between the 72nd and 73rd parallels and has a polar arctic climate. Summers in the area are cold and cloudy and the winters are long, frigid and overcast.

From mid-November to mid-January there is no sun in Pond Inlet – just starlight, moonlight and the Northern Lights – with an average temperature of -40°C. There is 24-daylight from early May to early August; summer temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C.

Geographic features near Pond Inlet include its ice edge which attracts a diversity of wildlife, particularly ringed seals, and sea birds that thrive there due to the availability of preferred foods. Surrounded by mountains, the community hosts a striking landscape that has captured the heart of many visitors.

Photo: Norman Koonoo