Tanquary Fiord is a 30-mile long saltwater fjord on the north coast of Ellesmere Island, located within the remote Quttinirpaaq National Park in Nunavut, Canada. The primary access point for paddlers is the Tanquary Fiord airstrip, a small airport that serves as the main gateway via charter flights from hubs like Iqaluit or Resolute. This area also functions as a base camp for the park, with basic camping facilities available. The fiord is surrounded by towering mountains, jagged black peaks, and glacial valleys, with massive glaciers feeding into the system. The water is pristine, and the landscape is dominated by ice, with glaciers and icecaps visible throughout the area. The overall character is one of extreme remoteness and untouched wilderness, with very few people encountered; visitor numbers to the entire island are estimated at only a few hundred per year.

The best time for any activity, including potential paddling, is from late May to mid-August when park staff are on site and temperatures are milder. Summers are very short but can be surprisingly warm. This period corresponds with the operational season for the research camp located at Tanquary Fiord. The fiord's waters are part of the High Arctic ecosystem, and wildlife sightings may include musk ox, arctic fox, and arctic hare. The area is also of historical significance, with Tanquary Fiord having been used as a research camp since the mid-20th century and containing artifacts from the ancient Thule civilization, ancestors of the Inuit, discovered in the broader region. Paddlers must be entirely self-sufficient, prepared for rapidly changing weather, and possess advanced wilderness skills, as rescue services are extremely limited and the environment is unforgiving.