Gjoa Haven

Gjoa Haven  (Norwegian: Gjøahavn, Inuktitut: Uqsuqtuuq, "lots of fat", referring to the abundance of sea mammals in the nearby waters) is a famous natural harbour 250 km above the Arctic Circle, with its adjacent hamlet, on the southeast coast of King William Island, in Nunavut.

History
The body of water between King William Island and the Boothia Peninsula is named Rae Strait, after Scottish Arctic explorer John Rae who, in 1854, was the first European to map the area while searching for Sir John Franklin's 1845 lost expedition and the Northwestern Passage (both prizes would surely be extra handy, financially, for him); both ships sank around this island, on a correct passage route. They were rediscovered in the 2010s, reportedly in "pristine condition", and their archeology was ongoing as of 2020.

In 1903, the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen entered the strait on his ship Gjøa, intending to travel through the Northwest Passage. Franklin's chosen passage down the west side of King William Island took his ships into "a ploughing train of ice ... [that] does not always clear during the short summers". Amundsen had early decided on a route along the island's east coast, regularly clear in summer. By late September, the Rae Strait began to ice up. Amundsen put Gjøa into this natural harbour on the southeast coast of King William Island, and the name was born. She stayed in what Amundsen called "the finest little harbor in the world" for nearly two years. He and his crew spent much of that time with the local Netsilik Inuit, learning from them the skills to live off the land and travel efficiently in the Arctic environment. This knowledge proved to be vital for Amundsen's later successful exploration to the South Pole. He explored the Boothia Peninsula, searching for the exact location of the North Magnetic Pole. They left Gjoa Haven on August 13, 1905.

Population
Permanent European-style settlement started in 1927, with a Hudson's Bay Company trading outpost. It has attracted the traditionally nomadic Inuit people, as they have adapted a more settled lifestyle. In 1961, the town's population was 110; by 2016, the population was about 1,200. Gjoa Haven has expanded to such an extent that a newer subdivision was developed near the airport.

Climate
It's an Arctic harbour, frozen from September to May.

Airlines

 * From Cambridge Bay and Taloyoak (YYH), Yellowknife  (2.75 hours).

By boat
The most obvious way to get in; the town is served by an annual supply sealift. Since the wrecks' discovery, the community's profile has been raised nationally, and visits by cruise ships became more frequent, which is believed and hoped to generate sustainable touristic local business.
 * Silversea Cruises is one of many companies offering cruises that dock at Gjoa Haven.

On foot
The community is tiny. Always beware of cold weather conditions.

By taxi
Tunik Services (215-1219) provide taxi services in the community.

By all-terrain vehicle (ATV)
A locals' favourite. Rental options might be available.

By kayak
Bring your own. Beware of whales and other cetaceans.

Do
Every visitor comes for a specific reason: historical travel, boating, fishing, hunting, enjoying the winter, nature watching, Northern Lights watching, an urge for Next-to-impossible destinations, or business.


 * Since 2017, a "Shipwreck Festival" of remembrance of Franklin's expedition, with two weeks of feasting, dancing and lectures, has been organized on September, to promote tourism and culture.



Eat
Be prepared for a next-to-impossible destinations situation. In communities in Canada's Far North, including Gjoa Haven, supplies like groceries are brought in by boat once a year, and flown in at other times. The cost of food is outrageously high. Bringing in some supplies of your own could help keep your costs down. For the locals, being able to hunt and fish is a necessity to keep food costs down. Sharing and bartering are also useful skills. The only restaurant is the one in the Amundsen Inn North Hotel (as of May 2020).

Drink
Gjoa Haven is a dry community in which alcohol is not permitted within 20 km of the town. Do not bring alcohol with you or you may be arrested for smuggling alcohol into the community.

Sleep
If you arrived by boat, you can sleep aboard. Wild camping might be possible in summer, ask the locals, if you will. Beware of cold weather conditions, always.

Connect
The community has been served by the Qiniq network, a fixed wireless service to homes and businesses, connecting to the outside world via a satellite backbone, since 2005. The Qiniq network is designed and operated by SSI Micro. In 2017, the network was upgraded to 4G LTE technology, and 2G-GSM for mobile voice.

Go next

 * Iqaluit – capital and largest settlement of Nunavut
 * Resolute - near Beechey Island, a must-go destination for Franklin and Amundsen fans
 * Pangnirtung – gateway to the Auyuittuq National Park
 * Rankin Inlet - a fast-growing community, with the development of a new gold mine and a wide range of recreational facilities like arenas for hockey and curling, a turf baseball diamond, and courts for volleyball, basketball, soccer and badminton