General Travel Notes: Bring you passport and check well ahead of time that it expires more than six months after the trip. Also, bring your COVID vaccine card and be sure all of your doses and boosters are up to date. Depending on the state of the pandemic, you may also be required to get a PCR test prior to travel. Be prepared for possible flight delays, especially into Labrador due to weather. You may want to bring some money for purchases ashore. There are shops in St. John’s and St. Anthony. In Labrador you may find interesting Inuit art of handcrafts offered for sale. Credit cards are accepted in St. John’s and St. Anthony; notify your bank in advance of your travel itinerary. In Labrador, you are likely to need cash. Canadian dollars are recommended; you can use an ATM at your first Canadian airport upon arrival in Canada. ATMs are also available in St. John’s and in St. Anthony. When at sea, far from shore, your cell phone will not work. US cell phones will get voice and data along much of the coast of Nova Scotia and the majority of the east coast of Newfoundland. US cell phones work in Halifax, St. John’s and St. Anthony; check with your carrier that you have international roaming. Beyond St. Anthony and along the Labrador coast including Makkovik and Hopedale there is no cell coverage at all. So, in the north portions of the expedition, you will be off the grid. Tazzarin does carry an Iridium satellite phone that can be used if needed and for emergencies, as well as a single sideband radio.
Weather Considerations: The 2022 expedition takes Tazzarin north and east. Whichever segment you take part in, you are likely to experience cool and wet weather along with some fog. It is always cooler on the water than on land. Be prepared to dress warmly and in layers. At the same time, some nice days hiking ashore can feel very warm. Days will be long the further north we go; the sun can be surprisingly strong. In Hopedale sunrise will be at 4:58 am and sunset at 9:14 pm. The sun will be up before you and set after you get in your bunk when we are at the furthest north.
Place | Avg High | Avg Low | Sea Temp |
Manchester, MA (June & Sept) | 74 | 55 | 59 |
Halifax, NS (June) | 67 | 51 | 50 |
St. John’s, Newfoundland (July-August) | 68 | 52 | 51 |
St. Anthony, Newfoundland (July-August) | 62 | 46 | 50 |
Hopedale, Labrador (July-August) | 59 | 45 | 46 |
Suggested Packing List
Duffle (pack in a sift duffle that can be stowed aboard)
Passport
COVID Vaccination Card
Cash (Canadian)
Credit Cards
Personal Medications
Toiletries
Battery Powered Electric Razor (to conserve water)
Sun Screen
Sun Glasses
Camera, charger & memory cards
Cell Phone & charger
Book(s) for reading
Ski Hat
Gloves
Foul Weather Gear
Sea Boots
Thermal Long Underwear (top & bottoms)
Socks (8 pair)
Underwear (6 pair)
Long Pants (2-3 pair)
Shorts (1 pair)
Long Sleeve Shirts, warm (4)
T-shirts
Fleece or Sweater
Jacket/Parka
Warm Layers
Boat Shoes
Hiking/Walking Shoes
Bathing Suit
Items Supplied Aboard
Sleeping Bag
Pillow Case
Towels
Safety Harness, Personal Strobe & Tether