ᑐᕐᓱᑲᑦᑕᒃ Pond Inlet, also known as Mittimatalik, is a coastal hamlet and marine inlet on the northern tip of Baffin Island in Nunavut. The inlet itself is part of the larger Eclipse Sound, a major marine transportation route that connects to Bylot Island and the Arctic Ocean. For paddlers, the primary launch and take-out point is the community of Pond Inlet, which sits on the shore. The inlet's namesake feature, Tursukattak, describes a narrow passage opening into a wider body of water, resembling an igloo entrance. The paddling environment is profoundly influenced by Arctic conditions. The summer paddling season is short, typically from late July to early September, when the area is accessible by water as winter ice recedes. Eclipse Sound, however, often remains covered by pack ice until mid-summer, and travel can be dangerous due to strong winds, adverse weather, and high waves. Marine hazards are significant and include strong currents, floating ice, and tides. The water is extremely cold year-round. Paddling here is recommended only for the very experienced, and the use of local guides or outfitters licensed by Parks Canada is strongly advised, particularly for trips into nearby Sirmilik National Park. The park's Oliver Sound, located south of Pond Inlet, offers a more sheltered fjord with excellent opportunities for sea kayaking, featuring steep cliffs, valley glaciers, and several good camping areas along the shore. The scenery is dominated by mountain ranges in all directions, with spectacular icebergs often grounded in shallows or drifting in the sound. Wildlife sightings can include narwhals, beluga whales, seals, and polar bears. The area is historically significant as part of the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage and has been inhabited by Inuit for over a thousand years.