Davis Strait

Davis Strait is a maritime passage between Baffin Island in Canada and Greenland, connecting Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea. The waters extend roughly 650 kilometers from north to south and form a key corridor in the Arctic region.

English navigator John Davis explored these waters between 1585 and 1587 while searching for a northern sea route to Asia. His voyages contributed to mapping this Arctic region and established the name for this maritime passage.

The waters remain important to Inuit communities who fish and hunt here as part of their way of life. Local people maintain a strong connection to this passage through their daily activities and traditions.

Navigation requires careful attention to ice conditions, with the main shipping season running from midsummer through late fall when waters are more accessible. Visitors should prepare for rapidly changing conditions and pack warm, waterproof clothing for any travel through this region.

Two opposing ocean currents meet here: the warm West Greenland Current flows northward while the cold Labrador Current carries ice southward. This collision creates a dynamic marine environment and draws marine mammals to the region for feeding.

Location: Nunavut

Part of: Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Arctic Ocean

GPS coordinates: 65.00000,-58.00000

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01