South Greenland Sailing Expedition: Fjords, Ice and Viking History
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Sail deep into South Greenland’s fjords, past icebergs and into one of the Arctic’s most breathtaking wilderness areas with expedition yacht Valiente
A Greenland sailing expedition, unlike anything closer to home. Aboard expedition yacht Valiente, you’ll explore the wild mountainous coastline of South Greenland, sailing deep into remote fjords, past drifting icebergs and into landscapes shaped by glaciers over thousands of years.
Starting and finishing in Qaqortoq, the voyage combines hands-on sailing with time ashore, taking in Viking ruins, Greenlandic communities and some of the most spectacular hiking in the Arctic. This voyage is perfect for those who want to travel slowly and arrive somewhere that feels genuinely far from the rest of the world.
- Sail and hike South Greenland’s fjords
- Towering icebergs and glacier landscapes
- Viking ruins and Greenlandic culture
- Outstanding wildlife in Arctic waters
- No sailing experience required
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
A Greenland Sailing Expedition Along the South Coast
Qaqortoq → Hvalsey Church → Nanortalik → Tasermiut Fjord → Uunartoq → Qaqortoq
Valiente uses the boat as a base for going ashore, and this voyage is as much about the land as the water. Sailing south from Qaqortoq, the first highlight is Hvalsey Church, one of the best-preserved Norse ruins in Greenland, built by Viking settlers over a thousand years ago. From here, Valiente continues toward Nanortalik before heading into the fjords of the south-west coast. The landscape shifts constantly, granite walls rising from the water, glaciers visible at the heads of fjords and icebergs drifting silently past. There are no roads here, no cars and very few people.
Throughout the voyage, guests take an active part in the sailing, from watchkeeping and navigation to sail handling and helming. No experience is needed. The crew are on hand to guide you at every step, and these waters offer a wonderful environment in which to build real offshore sailing skills.
Tasermiut Fjord: Arctic Patagonia
The centrepiece of this greenland sailing expedition is Tasermiut Fjord, often referred to as the Arctic Patagonia. Stretching 70 kilometres into the south-west corner of Greenland, the fjord is flanked by granite peaks rising to over 2,000 metres, their walls dropping almost vertically to the water below. At its inner end, a glacier descends directly from the Greenland ice sheet. On calm days the water sits mirror-flat, reflecting the cathedral walls above.
Valiente dedicates several days to exploring Tasermiut on foot, with hikes ranging from moderate to more demanding, typically covering 15 to 18 kilometres with 600 to 800 metres of elevation. Remote valleys, moraine landscapes and viewpoints beneath iconic peaks like Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq are among the highlights. A short distance from the fjord, the Qinngua Valley holds one of the only natural stands of trees in all of Greenland, birch growing in a landscape otherwise defined entirely by rock, ice and open tundra.
- Hikes of 15 to 18 km with 600 to 800 metres elevation
- Moderate to more demanding terrain
- Iconic peaks including Nalumasortoq and Ulamertorsuaq
- Qinngua Valley, one of Greenland’s only forested areas
- Glacier views at the inner fjord
Wildlife, Culture and the Hot Springs of Uunartoq
The waters of South Greenland sit at the convergence of Arctic and Atlantic currents, creating remarkably productive conditions for wildlife. Humpback and minke whales feed at the fjord mouths, harbour seals move through the coastline year round, and sperm whales, pilot whales and porpoise are increasingly present in these waters. Seabirds are a constant companion throughout the voyage.
Ashore, the communities along this coast offer a genuine insight into Greenlandic life, where traditions remain closely tied to the sea. Where possible, Valiente aims for visits including a traditional kaffemik, a community gathering that offers a warm and informal window into local culture. On the return to Qaqortoq, a stop at the natural hot springs of Uunartoq provides a well-earned soak in warm water surrounded by ice and mountains.
Valiente is also part of the Great Greenland Expedition 2027, a series of departures that together form a complete exploration of Greenland from Iceland and back. Guests are welcome to join one leg or several.
Expedition Yacht Valiente
Built for Arctic waters, Valiente’s steel hull is tough on the outside and welcoming within. Central heating runs throughout, and all 10 guest berths have comfy beds, thick duvets and wool blankets. Joining Valiente means becoming an active part of the crew. No experience needed. Her skilled skipper, first mate and dedicated guide will have you taking the helm and trimming sails in no time.
- 10 guest berths | 4 bathrooms | Full board
- Hands-on sailing with experienced crew throughout
- Skipper, first mate and dedicated guide on board
- Steel hull designed for icy Arctic conditions
- Central heating and cosy cabins throughout
- Galley meals cooked together with fellow guests
Things to note
Sailing vs Shore time
Night-watches?
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.
Need help with flights?
If you require some expert help with sourcing the right flights to meet the boat, please get in touch with Jenny at the Flight Centre via this form, she will be able to send you a quote within24 hours.
Getting Involved
You don’t need any experience to join Valiente’s expedition sailing holidays, just a love for the natural world and a real sense of adventure. Sailing with Valiente is a real hands-on, humbling experience as you work with the crew and fellow guests to navigate the Arctic wilderness together. Get stuck into all aspects of life on board, from taking the helm, setting & trimming the sails, basic sail theory and domestic duties.
The skipper and first mate (co-skipper), plus a dedicated guide for Svalbard sailing voyages, will be on board for the duration of Valiente’s sailing holidays. Along the way, preferably by sailing but sometimes under motor, all guests are included in the sailing experience.
The physical sailing of Valiente is relatively straightforward, so she’s a great boat to learn on if you haven’t sailed before. Her simple rig has three sails: the main, genoa and jib, all working off a winch system. The wheelhouse is set at deck level, with a modern navigation system. You can take the helm and work with the skipper to keep your course. The crew who sail in these waters are highly skilled, resourceful, and calm, and they are always on hand to guide guests.
The boat works on a relaxed watch system, usually 4 hours on and 8 hours off. This gives guests a real chance to have some focused sailing time, while also having time to just be. To sit, watch the world go by, relax, nap, read a book in your cabin, play cards in the saloon, or simply sit at the bows, watching and reflecting as the world glides by. If Valiente spends time on anchor, the watch system will run overnight, but with all guests and crew participating, you wouldn’t be on watch on consecutive nights.
There is always a thorough safety briefing and introduction once guests have settled onboard, followed by a “man overboard” procedure (don’t worry – this is a fender, not a real person!) and a fire safety drill.
Sleeping and Relaxation
Central heating runs continuously throughout the boat (there’s even heated towel rails in all bathrooms and a heater in the wheelhouse), so there she is wonderfully cosy! The spacious saloon and galley are set midships with 360-degree windows at deck level – perfect for cooking with a view. The galley is really well equipped with an induction hob, two domestic ovens, two fridge drawers and plenty of storage space. All cabins have heating, comfy beds, thick duvets and wool blankets. The cabins are a mix of double beds and twin bunks, but cabins are not allocated until all guests are on board, so that everyone is matched with the right size bed and proper facilities for their needs!
There are full-size domestic showers with plenty of hot water, although, as with all sailing experiences, guests are asked to be respectful with their water consumption. A small bath towel is provided per person, but you’ll need to bring an extra hand towel or swim towel if you wish.
Eating Aboard
Aside from setting the sails and taking the helm, the next most important aspect of Arctic sailing on Valiente is definitely the food! Once you’ve boarded the boat, a crew member will split all guests into pairs, who are then divided over a rota for breakfast, lunch and dinner duties. With an average of 10 people on board, you’ll normally end up doing one of each service over a week’s voyage.
If you’re not much of a cook, fear not! There will be a menu plan for the whole voyage, with all provisions on board. The menu plan is entirely flexible depending on the day’s plan— maybe you catch a fish, or perhaps the more confident cooks want to experiment a little! Alongside the menu plan, there is a correlating recipe book, especially made with ingredients, quantities and cooking methods to match the meal plan. Cooking on board is an integral part of how a sailing ship operates. A hearty feed after a sailing adventure, a chance to bring everyone together, for confidence to grow, and cultural culinary tips to be shared.
Sample menu
This is an example of what could be served while sailing with Valiente. There is no dedicated cook on board Valiente. Guests all take it in turns on a rotation basis to cook for the boat. This is an enjoyable part of sailing with Valiente as you make firm friends and experience recipes from around the world!
Breakfast
- Eggs, bacon, beans and toast
- Pancakes with jam and spreads
- Oatmeal with various toppings
- Bread and spreads
- Yoghurt and/or milk with cereal
Lunch
- Cauliflower or onion Soup
- Fish soup (using fish we’ve caught from our lines!)
- Cream porridge with cured meats
- Tomato soup and omelette
- Pancakes
Dinner
- Fish or veggie burgers
- Pasta with smoked salmon
- Chilli con carne
- Tacos
- Vegetable lasagne
- Bali chicken stew
- Salmon with root vegetables and sour cream
- Pasta bolognese with salad
- Sautéed reindeer stew
- Self-caught cod with pea puree
Dessert
- Fruit salad with vanilla sauce and firkløver chocolate
- Cream buns
- Sweet biscuits or chocolate
Valiente
Guest berths: 12 Rig: Gaff
From week-long adventures in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard to offshore Barents Sea crossings and ski & sail voyages in Norway, sailing with Valiente requires no prior experience. It is perfect for adventurous souls of all ages.
Joining Valiente will see you becoming an active member of the crew, taking part in all aspects of sailing. From the day-to-day running of the boat, winching sails and taking the helm to cooking up meals with your fellow guests, the crew of Valiente will be on hand to guide you at all times.
Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. With her steel hull made to withstand icy waters, below decks is a welcome contrast. Central heating runs continuously throughout the boat, so you’ll be wonderfully cosy! The saloon and well-equipped galley are set midships with 360° windows at deck level with plenty of storage space.
All cabins have heating, comfy beds, thick duvets and wool blankets. The cabins are a mix of double beds and twin bunks, but cabins are not allocated until all guests are on board, so that everyone is matched with the right size bed and right facilities for their needs!
The Arctic sailing grounds are a vulnerable area increasingly under pressure from climate change. The owners of Valiente are committed to protecting the environment as much as possible and believe that small boats with fewer people are considerably less harmful to the environment and local wildlife than larger cruise ships.
Deck plan
More about Valiente
More holidays in Greenland
Greenland Expedition: Sailing the Arctic Circle
Sailing Greenland to Iceland: Nuuk to Reykjavik
Adventure Sailing in Greenland: Iceland to the Arctic South Coast
Sailing Expedition to Disko Bay, Greenland: Sisimiut to Ilulissat
More holidays on Valiente
Sailing the Barents Sea: Tromsø to Svalbard
Norwegian sailing adventure: Bergen to Ålesund
Expedition Sailing from Iceland to Scotland via the Faroe Islands
Expedition Sailing from Iceland to Greenland
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
