sailing holidays in Greenland

Despite its name, Greenland is predominantly an ice sheet, second only in size to Antarctica, with long, deep fjords along the south east and west of the coast. Two thirds of Greenland lie within the Arctic circle with the northernmost extremity less than 500km from the North Pole.

This incredible geography has enticed outdoor lovers with holidays to Greenland increasing in popularity as travellers seek out lesser-known destinations. There are no roads to travel beyond the towns and settlements, which means sailing holidays in Greenland are the only way to explore this breathtaking icy country.

With Inuit settlements, majestic glaciers, incredible marine wildlife and the world’s largest fjord system, our sailing holidays to Greenland are perfect for the adventure traveller seeking undiscovered lands.

South Greenland: Fjords, Viking History and Wild Coastline

South Greenland is one of the most dramatic coastlines on earth, where massive granite walls tower above deep fjords, glaciers reach the sea and icebergs drift silently past. There are no roads here, no cars and very few people, and the hiking ashore is outstanding. The south coast also carries the traces of Norse settlers who arrived over a thousand years ago, and the fjords here range from the granite walls of Tasermiut, often referred to as the Arctic Patagonia, to the quiet wonder of the natural hot springs at Uunartoq, a well-earned soak in warm water surrounded by ice and mountains.

The West Coast: Communities, Wildlife and Open Water

Greenland’s west coast is warmer and relatively ice-free in summer, and it is here that much of the country’s community life is concentrated. Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, is a fascinating starting point where the traditional and the modern sit comfortably side by side. Heading north, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic, with deep fjords, jagged peaks and glaciers spilling into still water on a scale that is genuinely difficult to prepare for. The west coast route crosses the Arctic Circle on the final approach north, a moment traditionally marked by ceremony and one that stays with you long after the voyage is done.

Disko Bay and the Ice of Ilulissat

Nothing quite prepares you for Disko Bay, where icebergs begin to appear on the horizon, first one or two, then more, until suddenly they are everywhere: vast, sculptural and impossibly blue at their waterline. The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, one of the most productive in the northern hemisphere, calves enormous quantities of ice into the Ilulissat Icefjord in a spectacle that never becomes ordinary however long you watch it. Disko Island, with its volcanic geology and rich polar history, is a worthy stop along the way before the voyage ends at the UNESCO-listed Icefjord itself.

East Greenland: Scoresbysund and the World’s Largest Fjord System

The east coast of Greenland is wilder and more remote still, and Scoresbysund is its centrepiece, stretching some 350 kilometres inland through a landscape of ancient granite walls, drifting icebergs and Arctic tundra that has barely changed since the last Ice Age. Ittoqqortoormiit, sitting at the mouth of the fjord system where it meets the open sea, is one of the most isolated settlements in the world, and further in, Ammassalik Island and its surrounding fjords bring you close to the main ice cap, where glaciers constantly calve icebergs into the water below.

The Land of the Midnight Sun

From May 25th to July 25th the sun doesn’t set in Greenland. Instead, it remains visible twenty four hours a day. Whilst it can be disorientating, it is also a pretty cool natural phenomenon and makes for endless hours of exploration – some say it’s the best time to visit Greenland.

Wildlife in Greenland

Home to the world’s largest national park, the wildlife in Greenland is a real treat with polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, caribou and herds of musk oxen to be spotted amongst jaw-dropping scenery. The seas here are also teeming with marine life. Rich in plankton they are home to over 15 different whale species throughout the year. Whale watching in Greenland is unrivalled, it is also one of the few areas where you can spot narwhals if you are really lucky!

Other species to look for are beluga, humpback, and minke whales are also easy sightings, depending on the time of year.

Sailing Holidays in Greenland are the Ultimate Adventure

With much of the planet exposed to tourism, Greenland feels like one of the last untouched havens. A pocket of wilderness and solitude only available to those brave enough to venture into its untamed wilderness.

A place of magnificent fjords, crystal clear ice cold waters, remarkable people, astonishing wildlife and untouched scenery, it’s one of the last true wildernesses on the planet. Several of our fleet make the voyage to this far-flung corner each year, offering sailing holidays in Greenland for the intrepid traveller and adventure-seeker.