Nares Strait, Maritime passage between Ellesmere Island and Greenland
Nares Strait is a maritime passage between Ellesmere Island and Greenland that consists of five connected channels and basins. The waterway runs approximately 530 kilometers from Baffin Bay to the Lincoln Sea.
The Thule people established settlements here beginning in the 1300s, leaving archaeological traces of their occupation. The waterway received its official name in 1964 to honor British naval officer George Strong Nares.
The Thule people built settlements here starting in the 1300s, and you can still find the remains of their structures on Ruin Island if you visit the area. Their presence shaped how communities in the region developed and continues to matter to local heritage today.
Navigation here remains difficult year-round due to constant icebergs and thick pack ice throughout the water. Travel through the area requires careful planning and awareness of unpredictable conditions.
Measurements by scientists show that Arctic ice thickness near the water has changed significantly over recent decades. These shifts reflect the rapid environmental changes happening across the Arctic region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
