Native Bay is a waterway in the Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is located in Hudson Bay off western Southampton Island. The Bell Peninsula lies to the southeast. Native Point is located at the bay's southern tip. East Bay is 20 km to the east and Coral Harbour is 36 km to the north northwest.

Geography

The habitat consists of three main types, water, unvegetated land, and moist or wet vegetated tundra. This can be further broken down as dry heath, gravel ridge, intertidal zone, moss carpet, scrub willow, and sedge meadow. The elevation rises up to 122 m above sea level.

Climate

Southampton Island has a severe subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) which transitions into a tundra climate (ET). Like almost all of Nunavut, Southampton Island is entirely above the tree line. Coral Harbour has never gone above freezing in January, February and March (although the latter has recorded 0.0 C. Due to the frozen nature of Hudson Bay, there is a severe seasonal lag until June, especially compared to more continental areas such as Fairbanks despite much sunshine and perpetual twilight at night. Due to the drop of solar strength and the absence of warm water even in summer, temperatures still drop off very fast as September approaches. Cold extremes are severe, but in line with many areas even farther south in Canada's interior.

Fauna

East Bay/Native Bay is a Canadian Important Bird Area (#NU023) and lies just outside of the East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Notable bird species include Atlantic brant, colonial water birds, seabirds, common eider, and lesser snow goose. Caribou frequent the area.

History

An archeological site exists on the west side of Native Point, the largest Sallirmiut site on the island.