The Arctic Ocean is only accessible from July to September when the sea ice melts, particularly in the narrow channels of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. By August, the tundra is a profusion of wildflowers and edible berries and wildlife is at its peak summer breeding activities. Watch for the ‘Arctic Big Five’, polar bears, musk ox, walrus, beluga and narwhal as well as reindeer, seal, Arctic fox and lemming. Millions of migratory birds’ nest on Prince Leopold and Bylot Islands, while belugas and narwhals migrate deeper into the archipelago and join bowhead whales along the ice edge. Opportunistic polar bears can be seen on both the coast and remnant sea ice. As days shorten, chances increase for seeing aurora borealis, the northern lights, and the tundra explodes in autumn colours of red, gold and purple. Along the Alaskan coast, migratory birds stream south, as do humpback and gray whales. It’s peak viewing of grizzly and black bears fishing for salmon, and orcas along the Canadian coast. Indian summer is a glorious time along the west coast USA, as most visitors return to their everyday life. In Central America, it’s the tail end of the rainy season and one of the warmest months. Rainforests are at their best, with rivers brimming and great opportunities for hiking. Much of the Peruvian coast starts the day shrouded in a mysterious sea mist called garúa.