Gjoa Haven is an Inuit hamlet in Nunavut, Canada located on the southeastern coast of King William Island in the Arctic Ocean. It is the only community on the island and is the northernmost community in Nunavut. The hamlet is located approximately 654 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and 1,056 km south of the North Pole.
The hamlet was named after the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen’s ship Gjøa, which was the first ship to sail through the Northwest Passage. Amundsen spent two years in Gjoa Haven from 1903-1905, becoming the first European to winter in the Canadian Arctic.
The traditional language of Gjoa Haven is Inuktitut, and the hamlet is home to approximately 1,200 people. The major industry in Gjoa Haven is fishing, with caribou, polar bear, and seal hunting also providing a source of food.
Gjoa Haven is located in a climate-sensitive area, and temperatures can range from -40°C in the winter to +22°C in the summer. The hamlet is also located in an area of permafrost, which can cause problems with infrastructure and housing.
Gjoa Haven has a rich cultural heritage and is home to the Nunavut Sivuniksavut College, which offers courses in Inuit culture and language. The hamlet is also home to the Gjoa Haven Museum, which houses artifacts from Amundsen’s voyage, as well as other historical items from the area.
Gjoa Haven is an important part of Canadian history and continues to be an important part of the Inuit culture in Nunavut. The hamlet is a great place to visit for those looking for a unique Arctic experience.
Experience Gjoa Haven 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 Gjoa Haven. 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.
Gjoa Haven in Canada experiences a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. In the winter, temperatures can drop to -30°C and can be accompanied by strong winds and blizzards. During the summer, temperatures usually stay around 0°C and can reach up to 20°C on the warmest days. Spring and autumn temperatures are milder than the winter, with temperatures ranging from -10°C to 10°C. Precipitation is common throughout the year and snow can be expected from October to April.
Our weather forecast for Gjoa Haven 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 22nd 2024 Dec. 22nd 2024 | max: -25.6 °C min: -30.3 °C |
16.6 m/s 27.0 m/s |
60.0 % 21.1 m |
74.7 % 1,016 hPa |
||
| Dec. 23rd 2024 Dec. 23rd 2024 | max: -19.8 °C min: -26.5 °C |
23.8 m/s 41.8 m/s |
87.0 % 4.0 m |
78.1 % 1,004 hPa |
||
| Dec. 24th 2024 Dec. 24th 2024 | max: -26.5 °C min: -31 °C |
22.7 m/s 42.5 m/s |
66.0 % 24.1 m |
71.6 % 1,012 hPa |
||
| Dec. 25th 2024 Dec. 25th 2024 | max: -16.0 °C min: -26.2 °C |
36.4 m/s 63.7 m/s |
98.9 % 7.4 m |
78.9 % 1,001 hPa |
||
| Dec. 26th 2024 Dec. 26th 2024 | max: -16.3 °C min: -24.6 °C |
14.2 m/s 21.5 m/s |
58.9 % 9.2 m |
81.0 % 1,001 hPa |
||
| Dec. 27th 2024 Dec. 27th 2024 | max: -7.2 °C min: -24.3 °C |
36.7 m/s 57.2 m/s |
87.3 % 18.0 m |
82.5 % 1,006 hPa |
||
| Dec. 28th 2024 Dec. 28th 2024 | max: -5.2 °C min: -14.4 °C |
35.2 m/s 56.6 m/s |
86.2 % 5.8 m |
91.3 % 1,003 hPa |
||
| Dec. 29th 2024 Dec. 29th 2024 | max: -13.2 °C min: -19.8 °C |
20.9 m/s 37.8 m/s |
85.8 % 17.2 m |
83.3 % 1,016 hPa |
||
| Dec. 30th 2024 Dec. 30th 2024 | max: -20.0 °C min: -31.3 °C |
35.3 m/s 61.6 m/s |
47.4 % 17.3 m |
72.6 % 1,033 hPa |
||
| Dec. 31st 2024 Dec. 31st 2024 | max: -28.5 °C min: -31.9 °C |
31.0 m/s 61.6 m/s |
3.2 % 24.1 m |
60.9 % 1,047 hPa |
||
| Jan. 1st 2025 Jan. 1st 2025 | max: -22.1 °C min: -28.5 °C |
37.8 m/s 72.4 m/s |
31.5 % 24.1 m |
54.0 % 1,046 hPa |
||
| Jan. 2nd 2025 Jan. 2nd 2025 | max: -18.6 °C min: -21.9 °C |
42.5 m/s 85.0 m/s |
37.2 % 24.1 m |
55.1 % 1,041 hPa |
||
| Jan. 3rd 2025 Jan. 3rd 2025 | max: -17.2 °C min: -22.2 °C |
42.0 m/s 83.9 m/s |
52.7 % 24.1 m |
57.7 % 1,033 hPa |
Would you like to travel to Gjoa Haven 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 Gjoa Haven.
| Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 17th 2025 Sunday, 17th of Aug. 2025 | Seabourn Venture | 12:00 pm | 06:00 pm | |
| Sep. 5th 2025 Friday, 5th of Sep. 2025 | Silver Endeavour | 07:00 am | 12:30 pm | |
| Sep. 8th 2025 Monday, 8th of Sep. 2025 | Seabourn Venture | 07:00 am | 01:00 pm |
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.| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Jenny Lind Island in Canada | 246,10 km |
