Luxury Yacht Rental in the Northwest Territories

Luxury Yacht Charter Guide to the Northwest Territories

Grand, lonely, and completely enchanting, Canada’s Northwest Territories pack quite a punch. What first may seem like sparse desolate land quickly becomes something surprising. Sure, sailing these waters can seem daunting, but there’s also a call of the wild that for some sailors and charter guests needs to be answered. There’s the mainstay calling card of Yellowknife with its endless space and rich UNESCO heritage but scratch beneath the surface and there’s so much more. Deep lakes, spraying waterfalls, aboriginal heritage, and arctic wildlife all populate the shores turning the Northwest Territories into nothing short of an old school expedition.

Reasons to Charter a Yacht in the Northwest Territories

Call of the Wild

Celebrated as being the third largest province in Canada, the Northwest Territories claim over a million square kilometres of space with less than fifty thousand people calling these lands home. The sheer level of empty land is something else. All this space gives the wild world plenty of room to thrive. Expect jaw dropping mountains, deep and delirious forests, gushing white waters, and mirrored lakes to greet you along the way.

Northern Lights

The dance of the Aurora Borealis is strong up in these northern skies. The Northwest Territories are considered to be the aurora capital of the world. Yellowstone sits right below the Aurora Oval and the lack of light pollution makes it so that witnessing the golds and greens flashing across the darkened skies is quite common.

Native Culture

Even with so few numbers making up the sparse population of the Northwest Territories, there are eleven languages spoken on snow dusted grounds. Indigenous culture is rich here and echoed in every encounter and every piece of art that fills this culturally rich part of Canada. The traditions of the First Nation people include the Dene people followed by the Inuit people. These cultures go back thousands of years and still the handmade crafts, prayer songs, drums and hunting lore make these lands fascinating to discover.

Where to Visit in the Northwest Territories

Yellowknife

With a name that strikes the heart, Yellowknife is one of those rare wonders that puts the Northwest Territories on the map. While winter may see the aurora flaming, summers are endless - with no less than nineteen hours of light spilling across the cosmo little city. Old Town serves up some of the best food to be found with bison chilli and lake trout marking the menus as something special. There’s lashings of small town charm, some great boutique buys, and cosy cafes and glassworks art shops to keep you busy.

Banks Island

An Arctic style island sitting just off the mainland and separated by the Amundsen Gulf, Banks Island is home to half of the world's Muskox population. If you have always wanted to see these hairy creatures, then dropping anchor close to Banks Island is a must. Beyond the Muskox and there’s still plenty to see – including caribou, foxes, polar bears, and a wealth of wild and wonderful birds.

Nahanni National Park

A UNESCO world heritage park boasting thirty thousand square kilometres of space, snaked through by a rolling river, and punctuated with mountain scenes, moose ponds, high alpine lakes, hot springs, and rare orchids. You could spend forever canoeing these waters and forever be dazzled. Admire the soaring Virginia Falls, slather in the mud in the Kraus Hot Springs and hike incredible canyons.

When to Charter a Yacht to the Northwest Territories

An outdoor lovers paradise, those looking to set sail to the seemingly harsh lands of the Northwest Territories are best planning their visit for the short summer months. Winters are cold and while spellbinding, the wailing winds are not pleasant or even possible for sailing. In the height of the summer, you can expect around the clock daylight, gentle temperatures, and scenes of velvet green.