Cape Dorset is a small hamlet located on Dorset Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. It is located on the southwestern tip of Baffin Island, on the shore of Foxe Basin. The population of Cape Dorset is about 1,500 people, and it is the most populous community in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut.
The Inuit of Cape Dorset have been living in the area for thousands of years, and the community is known for its strong traditional culture and art. The Inuit of Cape Dorset are renowned for their stone carvings and prints, which have been collected and exhibited around the world.
The geography of Cape Dorset is characterized by rocky shorelines, low hills, and glaciers. The land is mostly treeless and covered with tundra vegetation. The climate is cold and dry, with average temperatures ranging from -25C in the winter to 8C in the summer.
Cape Dorset has a long history of exploration and trade. In the early 19th century, whaling ships from the United States and Britain visited the area, and in 1838, the Hudson’s Bay Company established a trading post in the community. In the 1950s, the Canadian government relocated many Inuit families from the High Arctic to Cape Dorset, where they continue to live today.
Cape Dorset is an important cultural and economic centre for the Inuit of Nunavut. The community is home to the West Baffin Co-operative, which produces and markets Inuit art. The community also has a local store, a health centre, a recreation centre, and a museum. Cape Dorset is an important fishing and hunting base, and the community is home to a commercial fish plant.
Experience Cape Dorset with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Cape Dorset. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
The climate in Cape Dorset, Canada is generally cool and wet. In the winter months, temperatures range from -15 to -25 degrees Celsius and there is plenty of snowfall. In the spring, temperatures rise to around 0 degrees Celsius and the snow begins to melt. Summers are mild, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius and there is usually quite a bit of rain. Autumn sees temperatures drop again and there is a mix of rain and snow. Overall, Cape Dorset experiences a cool and wet climate throughout the year.
Our weather forecast for Cape Dorset helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul. 12th 2026 Jul. 12th 2026 | max: 8.5 °C min: 5.5 °C |
31.7 m/s 47.3 m/s |
61.1 % 10.2 m |
76.6 % 1,009 hPa |
03:09:41 23:11:53 |
|
| Jul. 13th 2026 Jul. 13th 2026 | max: 7.1 °C min: 4.4 °C |
15.8 m/s 19.8 m/s |
91.3 % 0.1 m |
88.2 % 1,008 hPa |
03:12:35 23:09:11 |
|
| Jul. 14th 2026 Jul. 14th 2026 | max: 10.8 °C min: 5.9 °C |
36.7 m/s 55.1 m/s |
99.4 % 19.8 m |
71.4 % 1,001 hPa |
03:15:33 23:06:25 |
|
| Jul. 15th 2026 Jul. 15th 2026 | max: 17.4 °C min: 7 °C |
32.8 m/s 46.4 m/s |
66.3 % 24.1 m |
47.5 % 1,011 hPa |
03:18:33 23:03:36 |
|
| Jul. 16th 2026 Jul. 16th 2026 | max: 17.8 °C min: 11.3 °C |
35.6 m/s 58.3 m/s |
63.5 % 24.1 m |
41.2 % 1,014 hPa |
03:21:35 23:00:44 |
|
| Jul. 17th 2026 Jul. 17th 2026 | max: 12.8 °C min: 8.3 °C |
34.4 m/s 55.8 m/s |
3.0 % 24.1 m |
54.7 % 1,011 hPa |
03:24:39 22:57:49 |
|
| Jul. 18th 2026 Jul. 18th 2026 | max: 11.8 °C min: 9.2 °C |
19.8 m/s 31.0 m/s |
67.8 % 20.4 m |
74.6 % 1,009 hPa |
03:27:45 22:54:51 |
|
| Jul. 19th 2026 Jul. 19th 2026 | max: 13.4 °C min: 8.7 °C |
21.6 m/s 31.7 m/s |
94.3 % 23.9 m |
68.7 % 1,007 hPa |
03:30:52 22:51:51 |
|
| Jul. 20th 2026 Jul. 20th 2026 | max: 9.5 °C min: 3.5 °C |
20.3 m/s 30.5 m/s |
93.6 % 10.2 m |
82.5 % 1,006 hPa |
03:34:00 22:48:49 |
|
| Jul. 21st 2026 Jul. 21st 2026 | max: 8.3 °C min: 3.5 °C |
18.4 m/s 26.6 m/s |
98.6 % 14.0 m |
82.6 % 1,007 hPa |
03:37:10 22:45:44 |
|
| Jul. 22nd 2026 Jul. 22nd 2026 | max: 10.0 °C min: 6.9 °C |
18.7 m/s 27.4 m/s |
90.1 % 24.1 m |
73.3 % 1,005 hPa |
03:40:21 22:42:38 |
|
| Jul. 23rd 2026 Jul. 23rd 2026 | max: 11.2 °C min: 7 °C |
16.2 m/s 25.6 m/s |
99.9 % 21.4 m |
78.3 % 1,007 hPa |
03:43:33 22:39:30 |
|
| Jul. 24th 2026 Jul. 24th 2026 | max: 14.1 °C min: 5.5 °C |
30.2 m/s 33.8 m/s |
23.7 % 24.0 m |
62.9 % 1,007 hPa |
03:46:45 22:36:20 |
|
| Jul. 25th 2026 Jul. 25th 2026 | max: 10.5 °C min: 5.8 °C |
26.6 m/s 27.7 m/s |
35.5 % 24.1 m |
62.6 % 1,005 hPa |
03:49:58 22:33:08 |
|
| Jul. 26th 2026 Jul. 26th 2026 | max: 11.6 °C min: 6.8 °C |
13.4 m/s 16.9 m/s |
53.1 % 12.9 m |
67.3 % 996 hPa |
03:53:11 22:29:55 |
Would you like to travel to Cape Dorset on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Cape Dorset.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 13th 2026 Thursday, 13th of Aug. 2026 | Silver Wind | 274 - 355 | 10:00 am | 06:30 pm | |
| Aug. 19th 2026 Wednesday, 19th of Aug. 2026 | Silver Wind | 274 - 355 | 09:00 am | 04:30 pm | |
| Sep. 10th 2026 Thursday, 10th of Sep. 2026 | Silver Wind | 274 - 355 | 10:00 am | 06:30 pm | |
| Sep. 7th 2027 Tuesday, 7th of Sep. 2027 | Scenic Eclipse | 228 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am |
Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.
- There are no photos available for Cape Dorset yet.
Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!
There are a few basic rules to follow
.| Port | Distance |
|---|
