Dundas Harbor on Devon Island

August 13, 2025

Today we visited Dundas Harbor on Devon Island. Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island in the world. In the past, there have been small settlements, such as the most recent Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost.

We woke up to a sea of icebergs in the morning before making our way to Devon Island.

We passed the Kaparoqtalik Glacier on Bylot Island.

Once we arrived at Devon Island, the ship anchored. We took the zodiacs to the shore and walked along the beach to the abandoned Mountie outpost.

An amazing variety of pebbles and larger rocks shifted beneath our feet. A closer inspection revealed many different interesting colors and patterns.

They were interspersed with seaweed or algae and animal remains washed up by the tide.

We even found a piece of driftwood.

There were even plants growing among the rocks on the beach. This oysterleaf plant has leaves that taste like oysters!

Although the beach was mostly rocky, there were patches of sand that was often streaked red by iron oxide.

Soon we were able to see the abandoned outpost.

We explored the empty buildings.

The main building had some animal skulls displayed, including a narwhal skull. Narwhals initially have 2 horns like long tusks, but then one usually takes over and grows giving them the unicorn appearance.

There was a triangulation marker nearby that was used to survey and map the area.

Cottongrass was growing around the small settlement. This useful arctic plant was used by the Inuit for food and medicine.

There was also some arctic willow, a tiny willow species which can be used to relieve pain or stop bleeding when mixed in a poultice. It's leaves also can be used as food.

After our exploration, we walked back to where the zodiacs were waiting.

When we were all back on ship, word came that there had been a couple different polar bear sightings. We were all on the lookout as we departed the island.

We carefully scanned the patches of snow.

Finally it was spotted, a small white dot above the snow.

It was too far away to see clearly, but as we stopped to look there were also some Northern fulmar in the water. This one had found a nice snack - perhaps a small squid?

Another was taking off. It looked like it was running across the water.