Coats Island

Island Remote Arctic island in Hudson Bay, Inuit hunting area

Coats Island sits in Hudson Bay off Nunavut’s coast and remains sparsely visited. The island is noted for remote arctic landscapes, marine and bird life, and historical Inuit sites rather than conventional tourist services.

Main image

Coats Island is a sizeable, remote island in northern Hudson Bay and is part of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. It is located off the coast of mainland Nunavut and is known for its polar and seabird wildlife.

The island is largely undeveloped and does not support permanent settlements; it functions primarily as habitat and seasonal use area. Human presence has historically been limited to seasonal hunting and wildlife-related visits rather than permanent habitation.

Coats Island lies within Hudson Bay in Nunavut and is administered as part of the territory’s northern archipelago. The island is remote from major southern Canadian population centres and is accessible only by boat or aircraft under suitable conditions.

  • Wildlife Habitat: The island is uninhabited for most of the year and is noted as habitat for large Arctic wildlife, including polar bears and seabird colonies.
Coats Island
62.6199, -82.9742

Tips for Visiting Coats Island #

  • Recognize Coats Island as a remote Arctic destination with no visitor services-access normally requires chartered boat or aircraft and careful advance coordination with Nunavut authorities or experienced Arctic operators.
  • Plan visits for mid- to late summer when sea ice retreat most reliably allows boat or floatplane access; outside that window transport is frequently impossible.
  • Travel with guides experienced in polar-bear country and protected-area rules: the island is noted for seabird colonies and Arctic wildlife, and safe, permitted landings require prior arrangements.

Best Time to Visit Coats Island #

Coats Island is best visited in the brief summer months (July-August) when sea access and wildlife viewing are most feasible.

Summer
Jul-Aug · 0-10°C
The short summer window provides the most reliable sea access, milder temperatures and peak wildlife activity (seabirds, marine life).
Winter
Nov-Apr · < -20°C
Extreme cold, extensive sea ice and very limited access make travel impractical for most visitors.
Shoulder Season
May & Sep-Oct · variable, often cold
Unpredictable conditions and lingering ice can restrict boats and aircraft; plan only with specialized operators.

Weather & Climate near Coats Island #

Climate

Coats Island's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -32°C to 13°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
13°
Warmest Month
-32°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -25°C and lows of -32°C. Almost no rain.

Comfort

-29°
Feels Like Freezing
-29°C
Temperature
-32° -25°

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -25°C and lows of -32°C. The driest month with just 7 mm.

Comfort

-29°
Feels Like Freezing
-29°C
Temperature
-32° -25°

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is freezing with highs of -19°C and lows of -28°C. Almost no rain.

Comfort

-24°
Feels Like Freezing
-24°C
Temperature
-28° -19°

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -19°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-19° -10°

Weather

15 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -9°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -2°

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 42 mm of rain.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7° -2°

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -17°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-17° -10°

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of -20°C and lows of -27°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-23°
Feels Like Freezing
-23°C
Temperature
-27° -20°

Weather

12 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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