Tour the Waterways of the NWT On A Guided Boat Tour
A stunning panorama of northern scenery and wildlife awaits you on any boat tour in the Northwest Territories. The legendary lakes and renowned rivers connecting much of the NWT have been used for travel since time immemorial. Today, they’re one of many unique ways to experience life in the territory and tour around communities.
In the Northwest Territories, boat tour operators offer a variety of tours and trips. From multi-day journeys across communities to short boat tours around the local sights, travel by water allows you to experience a vital part of life in the North. Considering that’s how people traditionally travelled and how many still choose to travel today, it’s a unique way to experience the territory.
Boat tours in the NWT can also let you reach islands and lands that would otherwise be inaccessible. Whether you are travelling on a powerboat or canoe, boat tour operators know the best stops to make and they’ll share their local knowledge along the way. Whether you’re interested in finding the ideal camping spot, learning about local Indigenous history and culture, or casting a line into pristine waters teeming with feisty fish, your guide will often tailor your tour to your interests.
See the grandeur of the East Arm on a scenic boat tour from Lutsel K’e, and camp overnight looking out on the magnificent Red Cliff Island. In the morning, fish for record-setting Lake Trout off the base of the same dizzying cliffs. Picture yourself departing from Inuvik on an intrepid boat tour through the many channels of the Mackenzie River Delta, which feed right into the Arctic Ocean.
Speaking of the Mackenzie River, truly adventurous travellers can take the 1,800-kilometre boating trip down the Deh Cho from Hay River to Tuktoyaktuk. This trip is more than a boat tour, it’s an odyssey that allows you to experience the sheer breadth of spectacular sights and consistent warmth of Northern hospitality. You’ll pass through Fort Providence, Jean Marie River, Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Tulita, Délı̨nę, Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson and Inuvik – communities in four of the territory’s five regions.
The waterways of the Northwest Territories have always been a vital part of Northern life, so travelling by boat is something Northerners will share readily and enthusiastically. Touring a community or region in the NWT with a boat tour operator is a great way to see more of the spectacular Northern landscape and learn from a knowledgeable local guide.