Nares Strait has a nearly permanent current from the north, powered by the Beaufort Gyre, making it harder to traverse for ships coming from the south.

Icebergs and pack ice are present year-round; in an extreme example during 1962–64, a 20 km (12 mi) by 10 km (6.2 mi) ice island drifted southward from the Lincoln Sea through the Nares and Davis Straits to the Labrador Sea.

Prior to 1948, only five vessels were recorded as having successfully navigated north of Kane Basin.

Thule People reached the Nares Strait in the early 13th century, where they hunted with and traded with Vikings.

[4] Archeological remains of Thule Culture and Viking presence are found on Ruin Island.