Banks Island

Banks Island is situated in the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The only permanent settlement on the island, Sachs Harbour or Ikhuak, an Inuvialuit hamlet, is on the southwest coast. Two federal Migratory Bird Sanctuaries were founded on the island in 1961. The Aulavik National Park of Canada, a fly-in park, protects about 12,274 km2 (4,739 sq mi) of Arctic lowlands at the northern end of the island. The park has the highest concentration of muskoxen on earth, and is home to the endangered peary caribou.

Banks Island is home to two thirds of the world's population of lesser snow geese, which make their way across the Amundsen Gulf from the mainland. There is an annual goose hunt in the spring out of Sachs Harbour. The island is part of the tundra world biome, which has extremely cold winters. The island is home to barren-ground caribou, polar bears, muskoxen, and birds such as robins and swallows.

Things to See & Do

* Arctic scenery
* View wildlife
* Aulavik National Park

General Information

Cruise Season – May - Oct
Currency – Canadian dollar ($) (CAD)
Language – Inuit Language (Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun), English, French
Population – 140 approx
Land Area – 70,028 km²
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time – GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code – +709