Sirmilik National Park

Sirmilik Overview

Sirmilik National Park, meaning “place of glaciers” in Inuktitut, is a remote and stunningly wild expanse in the northernmost reaches of Canada’s Nunavut territory. Covering approximately 8,571 square miles (22,200 square kilometers), the park is located on Bylot Island, parts of Baffin Island, and sections of the adjacent Lancaster Sound.

It is part of the Arctic Cordillera ecozone, characterized by its dramatic landscapes, towering peaks, and vast ice fields. The park’s terrain features a mixture of rugged mountains, expansive glaciers, and low-lying tundra, creating an awe-inspiring yet harsh environment.

Notable geographical landmarks include the jagged peaks of the Bylot Island Mountains, the extensive glaciers that define much of the island’s topography, and the vast lowlands where Arctic vegetation, such as dwarf willow, saxifrage, and Arctic poppies, cling to the rocky soils.

The wildlife in Sirmilik National Park is as dramatic as its landscapes, offering a glimpse into one of the planet’s most extreme ecosystems. The park provides crucial habitat for a variety of Arctic mammals, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, caribou, and the elusive Canada lynx.

Marine life flourishes in the frigid waters of Lancaster Sound, where narwhals, beluga whales, and seals can often be spotted. One of the park’s most renowned wildlife spectacles is its abundance of migratory birds.

Bylot Island, a key section of the park, is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in the Arctic, featuring thick-billed murres, black-legged kittiwakes, and northern fulmars. The island’s cliffs and coastal areas also serve as nesting grounds for snowy owls, rough-legged hawks, and the strikingly beautiful ivory gull.

Sirmilik National Park is a remote paradise for adventurers seeking unspoiled Arctic wilderness. Among its most popular attractions is the Bylot Island Bird Sanctuary, which draws ornithologists and nature enthusiasts from around the world.

Visitors also flock to Oliver Sound, a breathtaking fjord surrounded by steep cliffs and glaciers, perfect for paddling and wildlife viewing. For those seeking cultural insights, the park offers a glimpse into the rich Inuit heritage, with archaeological sites and traditional hunting grounds providing a connection to the region’s Indigenous past and present.

Accessing and exploring Sirmilik National Park requires careful planning, as there are no roads leading into the park. Visitors typically arrive via boat or small aircraft from Pond Inlet, the nearest community.

Once inside, adventurers can engage in backcountry hiking, sea kayaking, and ski touring across the frozen tundra in the winter months. The park is also a prime destination for photographers and researchers interested in Arctic landscapes and wildlife. The vast, open spaces and extreme isolation create a sense of unparalleled solitude, making it a truly unique destination for those willing to embrace its challenges.

Conservation efforts in Sirmilik National Park are focused on preserving its delicate ecosystems and the species that rely on them. Climate change poses a significant threat, leading to melting glaciers and shifting wildlife patterns.

However, the park’s designation as part of the larger Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area helps protect its marine and coastal environments. Collaborative efforts between Parks Canada and Inuit organizations ensure that conservation strategies align with traditional knowledge and sustainable use of the land, safeguarding this pristine Arctic sanctuary for generations to come.

Park Map

Sirmilik National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Sirmilik National Park is a haven for Arctic bird species, with its cliffs, tundra, and coastal waters providing nesting and feeding grounds for a variety of seabirds and raptors.

Thick-billed Murre
These black-and-white seabirds are excellent divers, plunging deep into the water to catch fish. They nest in dense colonies on the cliffs of Sirmilik.

Black-legged Kittiwake
A graceful gull with a distinctive black-tipped wing pattern, kittiwakes nest on high ledges along Sirmilik’s cliffs and feed on small fish in the surrounding waters.

Snowy Owl
A magnificent white owl, the snowy owl is a top predator in the Arctic. It preys on small mammals like lemmings and has keen eyesight for spotting prey from great distances.

Gyrfalcon
The largest of the falcon species, the gyrfalcon is a powerful Arctic raptor that hunts birds and small mammals. It has a striking white, gray, or brown plumage.

Common Eider
This large sea duck is known for its thick, insulating down feathers, which help it survive the cold Arctic waters. It nests in coastal areas and feeds on shellfish.

Red-throated Loon
With a distinctive red patch on its throat during the breeding season, this loon is often seen gliding on Arctic lakes or calling with eerie cries.

Ivory Gull
A true Arctic species, the ivory gull is almost entirely white and is often found near sea ice, scavenging on remains of marine mammals left by polar bears.

Long-tailed Jaeger
A sleek and agile seabird, the long-tailed jaeger is a skilled hunter that harasses other birds to steal their food. It migrates great distances between the Arctic and warmer regions.

Northern Fulmar
A seabird that resembles a gull but is closely related to albatrosses, the northern fulmar is a strong flier that glides effortlessly over the ocean waves.

Arctic Tern
One of the most remarkable migratory birds, the Arctic tern makes an epic journey from the Arctic to the Antarctic each year. It is known for its slender build and sharp, forked tail.

Sirmilik National Park, located in Nunavut, Canada, is a remote and breathtaking Arctic wilderness known for its striking glaciers, rugged mountains, and vast tundra landscapes. The park is home to a variety of fascinating wildlife, including iconic Arctic mammals and marine species that thrive in this extreme environment.

Polar Bear
One of the most famous Arctic predators, the polar bear roams the ice-covered regions of Sirmilik, hunting for seals. These massive bears are highly adapted to the cold, with thick fur and a layer of fat to insulate them from freezing temperatures.

Narwhal
Known as the “unicorn of the sea,” the narwhal is a mysterious Arctic whale famous for its long, spiral tusk. These marine mammals migrate through the waters around Sirmilik, feeding on fish and squid.

Ringed Seal
A primary food source for polar bears, ringed seals are well adapted to life in the ice, using their sharp claws to maintain breathing holes. They are known for their distinctive patterns of light-colored rings on their fur.

Arctic Fox
These small, resourceful predators change their coats seasonally—white in the winter for camouflage in the snow and brown in the summer to blend in with the tundra. They scavenge for food and often follow polar bears to feed on scraps.

Bowhead Whale
Massive and long-lived, bowhead whales are known for their thick blubber, which allows them to survive in freezing Arctic waters. They have powerful skulls capable of breaking through ice to create breathing holes.

Beluga Whale
Often spotted in the coastal waters of Sirmilik, beluga whales are social marine mammals with distinctive white skin. They are highly vocal, using echolocation and various sounds to communicate.

Caribou
A vital part of Arctic ecosystems, caribou migrate across the tundra in search of food. Their thick fur and large hooves help them traverse the snowy terrain and cold waters.

Arctic Hare
Adapted to the harsh conditions of the Arctic, these large hares have thick fur and powerful hind legs. Their winter coat is bright white, helping them blend into snowy landscapes.

Walrus
These large, tusked marine mammals haul out onto ice floes and beaches in Sirmilik. They use their tusks to pull themselves out of the water and defend themselves from predators.

Wolverine
A rare but formidable predator, the wolverine is a strong and tenacious scavenger with powerful jaws and a keen sense of smell. They are known for their ability to survive in harsh Arctic environments.