14 Of The Most Beautiful Places You Never Knew Existed, And They’re All In Nunavut!

Hidden in the hills just outside the territory’s bustling capital of Iqaluit, this cozy community of just a few hundred residents was formed around the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post in 1949 and has been a hunting and camping place for generations to the Inuit. The method of transportation is up to you! You can kayak through ocean inlets under the midnight sun, dogsled to the doorstep of your B&B, or hop in a taxi to explore downtown Iqaluit.

This tight-knit community of less than a thousand residents is named after the brook that flows through it. Nestled on a peninsula surrounded by several tiny islands, it’s the ideal place to boat alongside bowhead whales and curl up by the fire with fresh caribou or char stew.

Inhabited by nomadic Arctic Indigenous peoples for over 5,000 years, this majestic yet tiny community of just 750 people is located at the very top of Baffin Island. Sheltered at the shores of steep arching cliffs, it is a paradise for species of Arctic birds and whales. In the summer, the sun doesn’t set, meaning there's lots of time to explore its dramatic landscape and rich history.

This place was recently made famous as the picturesque setting of acclaimed film The Grizzlies. It’s the territory’s westernmost community and is located above the Arctic Circle. In the summer, you can swim in the town’s refreshing cascade, which is also an ancient fishing and hunting location.

This Arctic community will literally take your breath away. It’s surrounded by giant glaciers and marks the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage. There’s no shortage of Arctic wildlife to see, from migratory birds to polar bears. There are also plenty of activities to do, like camping and fishing on the secluded Bylot Island.

This friendly community is situated smack-dab in the middle of the Arctic Circle on the shores of Hudson Bay. Its residents are the Aivilingmiut, "people of the walrus," who are direct descendants of the Thule people who have lived off the land for centuries. This historical hamlet is a short plane ride from Ukkusiksalik National Park, where you can find walruses and polar bears. Of course, you can also travel there by snowmobile or dogsled!

This hamlet is infamous both for its unforgettable scenery and its musicians. Nature lovers will have their minds blown by Pang’s endless mountains and the snowcapped cliffs of Auyuittuq National Park, just a short stroll from the centre of town. Inuit have inhabited the surrounding land for over 4,000 years. Today, craftspeople and folk singers keep their culture alive year-round in this beautiful, artistic community.

This place is the largest stop while cruising the Northwest Passage. Its residents are the Iqaluktuurmiut, who have been fishing and hunting in this region for over 4,000 years — an archaeologist’s dream. Be prepared to see seals, muskoxen, caribou, and, of course, the northern lights!

Once you get here, you’ll wish you’d come sooner! This fast-growing community of 2,500 is known for its Inuit ceramic artwork. Here, migrating caribou flock across the tundra, and polar bears roam on the outskirts of town. Rankin Inlet is a dream destination for experiencing the richness of Inuit culture and Nunavut landscape.

This hamlet is an important cultural hotspot for Inuit. Situated north of the Arctic Circle, this community rests on a small island northwest of Baffin Island. The award-winning movie Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner was produced and filmed in this community. It’s also the home of Artcirq, the only Inuit circus troupe on the planet. Igloolik gives you the quintessential Arctic experience; from dogsledding under the northern lights to watching children drum dancing in town.

This historical community is the oldest western settlement in Nunavut, and today only 400 people live here. Located just below the Arctic Circle on Hudson Bay, this ancient community is a great destination to hunt caribou, fish char, and whale watch.

This is the southernmost community of Baffin Island, which sits on some of the most ancient terrain on the planet with one of the highest tides in the world. In the winter, you can take a scenic snowmobile trek to Iqaluit, stopping at traditional cabins along the way.

This hamlet is the territory’s only inland community. Located on a giant lake that leads into the Theron Heritage River, Baker Lake is almost at the exact geographic centre of Canada. This peaceful community’s surrounding are thriving with plants, making it the natural home to massive herds of caribou. Wildlife enthusiasts will also delight at the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, a special oasis for muskoxen.

With just 141 residents, Grise Fiord is Canada’s northernmost community! It's situated on the southern shores of Ellesmere Island, and its airstrip is so short that only small planes can land here. Located at 76 degrees north, the ground never thaws completely but the town is shielded from the bitter winds by the Cordillera Range Mountains. Locals keep busy by hunting, sewing, and snowboarding through the icy peaks.