How to Choose the Right Greenland Cruise

Greenland Cruise

Want to visit Greenland? To discover its natural wonders, I recommend you to experience a Greenland cruise.

Greenland has got quite a lot going for it – there are historic Viking and Inuit hotspots, the blend of Inuit and European cultures in the cities, the majesty of its icebergs, the beauty of its fjords and shorelines, a multitude of activities such as exploratory hikes and kayaking, and more species of wildlife than you can shake a stick at.

Choosing the perfect Greenland cruise means deciding which of the above has the most pull on your little adventuring heart.

Greenland cruises

An Arctic cruise is a, perfect way to experience the wonders of the Land of Midnight Sun, including its wildlife, landscapes, glaciers and local cultures.

The Northern Lights provide a spectacular finale for those lucky enough to see them in person.

Let’s break down some of the biggest draws that keep people coming back to the beauty of Greenland.

Once you’ve defined for yourself what you most want to see, you’ll have an easier time picking out a cruise that is best suited for your own particular interests.

How to enjoy the Greenland cruise experience to the fullest

visit Greenland

“I want to explore cool Viking remains.”

Who doesn’t? Greenland was first discovered (at least as far as Europeans go) and named when the Norseman Erik the Red, being a rather naughty boy back home, was sent to the island in exile.

A couple of years later he came back praising the land of his exile as an awesome “green land” just begging for some enterprising farmer types to come settle it.

Remains from the Norse age of settlement exist to this day.

The stone bones of farms lie along the coasts, being more concentrated along the southern shores (they were slowly chased out of the north by the advance of a Little Ice Age) in locations like Qassiarsuk, Igaliku, and you can explore a Norse-style church in Hvalsey.

Greenland

“I want to experience the Northern Lights.”

The Aurora Borealis is an experience that constantly makes people’s bucket lists. In order to take the Lights in yourself it’s more a case of when you sail as opposed to where.

The reason is pretty obvious – you need dark to be able to see the Northern Lights in a proper fashion. During the summers Greenland has daylight almost right around the clock since it’s far enough north to experience the Midnight Sun phenomenon.

Therefore if your main goal on your Greenland cruise is to take in the Northern Lights you’re going to want to book a cruise either very early or very late into the cruise season, when you can expect a properly dark nighttime sky.

Greenland Iceberg

“I want to see icebergs.”

Up to 100 metres all (roughly the same height of a 15-story building), Greenland’s icebergs are both beautiful and quietly powerful. Greenland boasts the birth of thousands of fresh baby icebergs each year.

There’s a good chance that you’re going to see some icebergs just about anywhere in the waters surrounding the island.

The bigger examples of these ice-born sculptures tend to be found further north. However your Greenland cruise ship will probably have an easier time giving you access to icebergs in the more open waters found around the south end of the island.

To max out your chances of seeing icebergs try cruises that pass through the Ilulissat and Uummannaq areas.

Greenland adventure

“I don’t want to freeze my butt off.”

This one is pretty obvious – you’re going to want to book a cruise during the summer months. During July and August temperatures peak at around 10°C (dropping to between 0° and 5°C at night).

The trade-off is that you’ll be visiting during the Midnight Sun months and you won’t have a chance to see the Northern Lights.

“I want to tickle polar bears.”

While we wouldn’t recommend getting into tickling-distance of the world’s largest land-based predators, we certainly understand the desire to see them in their natural habitat.

Cruises are in fact the best way to catch a glimpse of the big white beasts around Greenland because they tend to stick to the shores and flowing bits of ice as opposed to venturing inland.

For your best chance to see polar bears in Greenland we’d suggest heading for the north end of West Greenland or the north end of Northeast Greenland.

things to do in Greenland

“I want to go whale-watching.”

The coasts of Greenland ripple in and out with an extensive fjord system, making for all sorts of quiet and krill-filled pockets of water where whales like to hang out.

Which cruise you should take depends a tiny bit on whether you have a particular species of whale you’d like to see.

For example, Fin and Stinky Minke Whales (you’ll understand the “stinky” part if you’re ever downwind of them when they clear their blowholes) can be found all over the place in the fjord system of the south end of the island.

Disko Bay, found on the west coast, is somewhat famous for its whale-spotting. Along with the Fins and Minkes you’ll also have the chance to spot out Humpbacks and Bowheads posing their tails for maximum contrast against the blue-white backdrop of an iceberg.

Humpbacks have also been recorded numbering into the thousands in the Nuuk fjord, found on the southwest end.

Summertime is the best time to visit Greenland if whales top your to-do list.

During the summer months the various species make the swim up from warmer waters in order to stuff themselves full of Greenland’s dense krill populations.

cruise to Greenland

“I want to do lots of activities.”

Kayaking, photo workshops, hiking, diving… there are all sorts of activities you can get involved in on your Greenland cruise. First things first – choose which attractions mentioned above top your list, and then from there go through the offered cruises to match your most desired activities.

And don’t worry if you can’t fit everything into one trip.

It will all still be there waiting for you when you come back again. 

Sara Rodríguez

A passionate traveler with a mission: Help you plan your next trip easily and enjoy it to the fullest.

In this travel blog you will find everything you need to get inspired and organize your next adventure. Read more about my story here.

One response to “How to Choose the Right Greenland Cruise”

  1. Ryan Biddulph says:

    Sara this is a great write up. A Greenland cruise seems like the perfect way to enjoy this stunning country, that often gets less pub than its Iceland neighbor. Or, kinda neighbor ;) I am all for seeing polar bears minus the tickling because I know most of these guys have zero fear of humans. Meaning we are on the menu LOL.

    Ryan

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