Additional Activities Offered

Polar Bear Scouting Excursions
Ice Station Beechey is located adjacent to the prime denning area of the kings of the Arctic - polar bears. While our expedition leaders monitor movements of the bears, we'll venture out in snowmobiles to safe scouting distances to witness these fascinating animals in the wild. Viewing them in their natural surroundings makes learning how they survive and prosper in this icy landscape even more fulfilling. As polar bears are wild animals however, we can never guarantee polar bear encounters although our area of operations certainly provide a good opportunity.

Lectures and Briefings
Our marine biologist and historian will lead discussions on the local habitat, marine life, nautical exploration, famous shipwrecks, and the modern-day missions to unlock their mysteries. We'll learn the complete story of the H.M.S. Breadalbane, a wooden supply ship that carried her English crew in search of the famed arctic explorer Sir John Franklin. Franklin 's ships, The Erebus and the Terror, were last seen on July 26, 1845, en route to discover the Northwest Passage to the Orient. They were never seen again.

Build an Igloo
Ever wondered how people actually stay warm in an igloo? How they are built and who lives in them? Learn about the Inuit culture and the ice structures that have housed them for generations. We'll put our newly found knowledge to the test as we build our own igloo.

Sightseeing flights
On either the inward or outward flight, weather permitting we will consider deviating to give you a visual perspective of Devon Island and surrounding areas.

Our library of books and videos
A small but specialized library will be available in one of the public recreational areas. There will be ample time to learn more about all aspects of this unique expedition. Throughout your expedition we will screen a selection of underwater exploration documentaries.

Under Ice Scuba diving
Few people have ever experienced the ethereal beauty of diving under a solid ice cover. The light, colours and sculptured under-ice surface are something that dreams are made of. As part of our expedition we will have an air compressor and tanks that will allow participants who are specifically certified and trained for cold water, to don a dry suit to experience ice diving. An experienced instructor/supervisor will be part of our team to oversee these operations. Participants will be required to show their appropriate and valid certification cards. All divers will be required to sign in advance a liability waiver document. Scuba diving participants will need to bring their own equipment including dry suits, regulators, dive computers, mask, fins, buoyancy compensators etc. and all transportation costs (including any overweight baggage charged by any airlines) of that equipment will be for the individuals own account. We will provide the dive air compressor, tanks and weights.

Breadalbane PDF (371Kb)