Qikiqtarjuaq sits above the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island, and the water here is cold year-round, dropping below zero for most months and barely rising above it even in late summer. Sites range from a glacier terminus and iceberg fields to fjord walls, a kelp forest, drop-offs, and a drift site where the river meets the inlet. Depths span from very shallow to well beyond recreational limits. The area draws divers for its ice formations and Arctic seabed, with humpback whales and orcas among the species recorded. Hiring a local outfitter is essential for access to most sites.
Monthly water temperature across Qikiqtarjuaq's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water remains at or below zero for most of the year, with a brief window in late summer when shallow temperatures edge marginally above. Dry suits, hoods, and gloves are not optional at any time of year.
1 operator
Water temperature around Qikiqtarjuaq ranges from about -2°C in January to 1°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around -2–1°C, a drysuit works in Qikiqtarjuaq year-round.
Fin maps 7 sites in Qikiqtarjuaq (5 scuba diving sites and 4 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across Qikiqtarjuaq's dive sites, August, September and October are most often reported as the best months to visit.
7 more sites to explore
