Plan your trip
Getting here
Some guests fly into Deer Lake (YDF); others take the Marine Atlantic ferry to Port aux Basques and drive to the basecamp. If you fly, we offer a pickup service that takes you from Deer Lake to the basecamp.
By air
Into Deer Lake.
- Airport
- Guests fly into Deer Lake (YDF).
- Entry to Canada
- Visitors from the United States need a valid passport to fly into Canada. Visitors from other countries may need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa.
- Connections
- Flights from the United States connect through Halifax, Montreal or Toronto, and the journey can be made without an overnight stay.
- On arrival
- An Arluk employee will meet you at your hotel or at the airport to bring you to the basecamp.
- Larger groups
- A private shuttle bus will be arranged for larger groups.
- Overnight stay
- Plan your own overnight accommodations in Deer Lake if necessary.
By road and ferry
Driving to the island.
- The ferry
- If you are driving, take the Marine Atlantic ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Port aux Basques, a crossing of six to seven hours.
- The drive
- Port aux Basques is 250 kilometres from Deer Lake, about two and a half hours by road.
- Booking
- We advise booking the ferry very early.
The flight in
From the hotel to the backcountry.
- The flight in
- The next morning you are driven to the helicopter for the flight to your lodge or tent camp.
- From the basecamp
- Our basecamps are Turner's Ridge and Raft Pond. From a basecamp you are taken to your lodge, usually by helicopter.
- The way out
- When your trip ends you are flown out, then driven to your hotel or the airport to catch your flight home.
- Luggage
- Pack in soft-sided bags. Total gear weight should not exceed 27.2 kg (60 lb) because of helicopter weight limits.
If plans change
Weather and flights.
Accommodation in Deer Lake needed because of your flight itinerary, bad weather or cancelled commercial flights is not included in the price.
Plan your expedition
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