Know Before You Go
LOCAL TIPS
CURRENCY Shops in Baffin Island do business in the national currency, the Canadian dollar. You may wish to purchase souvenirs from local artisans or craftspeople. Baffin Island is a safe place to visit, and we recommend that passengers carry cash on excursions where shopping may be a possibility, to avoid disappointment where credit cards or traveler’s checks are not accepted. WEATHER Temperatures on Baffin Island can reach as high as 48°F (9°C) in July, though the annual average temperature is a frosty 18°F (–7°C). In winter, temperatures plummet to an average of –27°F (–33°C) in February. On average, Baffin Island sees precipitation 97 days of the year; March is the driest month, and September has the greatest
rainfall. It can be incredibly windy here, particularly in unsheltered and higher-altitude areas. Dress in layers, with a moisture-wicking base layer and a waterproof outer layer, and keep extra socks and mittens handy. SHOPPING Like other extremely remote regions, Baffin Island has a degree of food insecurity. Grocery goods are shipped to Baffin Island by sealift, boats that transport goods from the time the ice breaks in late June until the freeze in October makes the waters unpassable. Retailers also order supplies to be delivered on flights to the island, but the cost of these methods of transportation makes for prohibitive expenses for locals. We recommend that you avoid purchasing basic food items, including snacks and bottled water, as this depletes the supply available to residents.
18 | QUARK EXPEDITIONS
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