GREENLAND EXPEDITION CRUISES

Discover Earth’s Final Frontier

Navigate the world’s largest island where colossal icebergs, ancient Inuit culture, and pristine fjord systems create an Arctic wilderness like no other. Experience midnight sun adventures and aurora-lit nights in one of Earth’s most remote destinations.

June – October

Expedition Season

5°C to 15°C

Summer Temperature

350km Fjords

World’s Longest System

From $5,000 USD

Starting Price

The World’s Largest Island Awaits

Greenland represents Earth’s final frontier—the world’s largest island and least populated country, where 80% ice coverage creates the planet’s second-largest ice sheet. Expedition cruises explore both inhabited west coast communities and uninhabited eastern wilderness, encountering Inuit culture unchanged for millennia alongside Arctic wildlife in dramatic fjord systems that dwarf anything found elsewhere on Earth.

Scoresby Sund

Scoresby Sund

Ilulissat Icefjord

Ilulissat Icefjord

Disko Bay

Disko Bay

South Greenland

South Greenland

Colossal Icebergs

Witness icebergs the size of city blocks—some reaching 100 metres above water. The Ilulissat Icefjord produces 35 cubic kilometres of ice annually.

Inuit Heritage

Experience living Inuit culture through kaffemik gatherings, traditional kayak demonstrations, and visits to colourful settlements where ancient traditions meet modern life.

Epic Fjord Systems

Explore Scoresby Sund—the world’s longest fjord at 350 kilometres—with walls rising 2,000 metres and labyrinthine channels filled with sculptural ice.

Choose Your Expedition

Popular Greenland Expedition Itineraries

From accessible Disko Bay explorations to comprehensive circumnavigations, Greenland offers diverse expedition experiences. Our specialists will match you with the perfect voyage for your interests and timeframe.

Disko Bay Explorer

Disko Bay Explorer

Duration: 8-10 days

Route: Kangerlussuaq or Reykjavik roundtrip

Highlights: Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO site, humpback whales, midnight sun

Known For: Most accessible Greenland experience

Price Range: $5,000–$10,000 USD

Scoresby Sund Adventure

Scoresby Sund Adventure

Duration: 10-14 days

Route: Reykjavik to East Greenland

Highlights: World’s longest fjord, musk oxen, northern lights (Sept-Oct)

Known For: Ultimate fjord experience, aurora viewing

Price Range: $8,000–$15,000 USD

Complete Greenland

Complete Greenland

Duration: 15-21 days

Route: Full circumnavigation or multi-region

Highlights: NE National Park, Viking ruins, remote Thule region

Known For: Comprehensive Greenland immersion

Price Range: $12,000–$18,000 USD

Compare Regions

Greenland Regions at a Glance

Region Key Features Wildlife Cultural Sites Best Time
Scoresby Sund (East) World’s largest fjord, massive icebergs Musk oxen, Arctic hare, seals Ittoqqortoormiit village Aug-Oct
Disko Bay (West) Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO site Humpback whales, seals Greenlandic towns, museums Jun-Sep
Northeast National Park World’s largest national park (972,000 km²) Polar bears, walrus, narwhals Abandoned Thule sites Jul-Aug
South Greenland Norse ruins, sheep farms, hot springs Reindeer, Arctic foxes Viking settlements, modern communities Jul-Sep
Northwest (Thule Region) Remote Qaanaaq, extreme High Arctic Narwhals, beluga, polar bears Traditional Inuit culture Jul-Aug
Greenland Zodiac Exploration

Ilulissat Icefjord: Greenland’s Crown Jewel

The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier advances 40 metres daily, calving 35 cubic kilometres of icebergs annually into the UNESCO World Heritage Ilulissat Icefjord. These massive bergs—some reaching 100 metres above water—created the iceberg that sank Titanic.

Ilulissat (population 4,700) serves as Greenland’s tourism hub with museums documenting polar exploration and Inuit heritage. Local restaurants serve traditional Greenlandic cuisine including seal, whale, and musk ox.

  • Zodiac cruising through frozen sculpture galleries
  • Shore excursions to elevated iceberg viewpoints
  • Kaffemik cultural experiences with locals
  • Traditional tupilak carving demonstrations
  • Hot springs soaking amid iceberg views

Arctic Wildlife

What Wildlife Will You Encounter in Greenland?

Musk Oxen Greenland

Scoresby Sund & NE Park

Ancient Arctic Giants

Musk oxen have roamed Greenland’s tundra for over 10,000 years. Their thick qiviut underlayer—eight times warmer than sheep’s wool—protects them in extreme conditions. Approximately 15,000 inhabit Northeast Greenland National Park, grazing protected valleys alongside Arctic hares and foxes.

Humpback Whale Greenland

Disko Bay Peak Season

Cetacean Paradise

Disko Bay hosts exceptional whale watching with humpbacks, fin whales, and minkes feeding in nutrient-rich waters. The elusive narwhal—the “unicorn of the sea”—frequents eastern fjords, while beluga whales with their distinctive melon-shaped heads navigate coastal channels.

Seabirds Greenland

Summer Breeding Season

Seabird Spectacles

Millions of seabirds nest on Greenland’s vertical cliffs during summer, including Brünnich’s guillemots, little auks, and kittiwakes. Arctic terns—completing the longest migration on Earth from Antarctica—breed here, while Arctic foxes hunt relentlessly among the colonies.

The Ultimate Fjord Experience

Scoresby Sund: Earth’s Longest Fjord

Scoresby Sund’s branching fjord complex penetrates 350 kilometres inland, creating Earth’s longest fjord system with walls rising 2,000 metres. Massive icebergs calved from Greenland’s ice sheet drift through azure waters, creating constantly changing sculptural galleries.

Red sediment layers in surrounding mountains provide stunning colour contrasts against white ice and blue water. The remote settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit—the most isolated inhabited community in the western hemisphere—offers authentic cultural encounters.

  • World’s longest fjord system at 350 kilometres
  • Cathedral-sized icebergs in mirror-still waters
  • Thriving musk oxen and Arctic hare populations
  • Prime northern lights viewing September-October
  • Ancient Thule archaeological sites
Scoresby Sund Fjord Greenland

Find Your Greenland Expedition Today!

We’ll help find the best expedition that takes you to colossal icebergs, ancient Inuit communities, and fjord systems beyond imagination.

Northern Lights Greenland
AURORA SEASON

Northern Lights Over Greenland

Prime Aurora Viewing

Northern lights viewing begins in late August and peaks September-October as darkness returns to Greenland. Scoresby Sund offers optimal aurora conditions with clear skies and zero light pollution, creating some of the most spectacular displays on Earth.

Photography Workshops

Specialised photography workshops help capture these ethereal displays. Expert guides teach long-exposure techniques while expedition schedules adapt to maximise aurora viewing opportunities when solar activity peaks. The combination of icebergs and northern lights creates unforgettable images.

GETTING THERE

How Do Australian Travellers Reach Greenland?

Via Reykjavik, Iceland

Most expeditions embark from Reykjavik following overnight flights from Australia via Singapore or Dubai. Pre-cruise exploration of Iceland’s Golden Circle or Blue Lagoon helps adjust to Arctic conditions. Charter flights or ship positioning reach East Greenland in 2-3 hours.

Via Copenhagen, Denmark

West Greenland expeditions often embark from Kangerlussuaq via Copenhagen, with Air Greenland providing connections. This routing suits travellers combining Greenland with European exploration. Total journey time from Australia averages 30-35 hours.

Greenland Colourful Settlement

Plan Your Timing

Best Time to Visit Greenland

Greenland’s expedition season runs from June through October, offering two distinct experiences: summer wildlife under the midnight sun, and autumn aurora viewing as darkness returns.

June – Early July

Early Summer

Midnight sun begins, sea ice retreats from west coast. Wildflowers bloom across tundra. Peak seabird nesting activity. West Greenland accessible; East still ice-locked. Temperatures 5-10°C.

July – August

Peak Wildlife

24-hour daylight ideal for exploration. East Greenland and NE National Park accessible. Warmest temperatures (up to 15°C). Humpback whales peak in Disko Bay. Best for families.

September

Aurora Begins

Northern lights appear as darkness returns. Dramatic autumn colours on tundra. Caribou migrations in East Greenland. Stable weather patterns. Temperatures 0-5°C. Fewer crowds.

October

Prime Aurora

Peak northern lights viewing. Scoresby Sund optimal with clear skies and zero light pollution. Possible polar bear sightings as pack ice forms. Excellent value pricing. End of season.

Greenland Experts

Expedition specialists who know Greenland’s fjords and can match you with the perfect itinerary.

Exclusive Perks

Access to special deals, onboard credits, and amenities not available when booking direct.

Personalised Planning

Custom itinerary recommendations based on your interests, season preferences, and expedition style.

Full Support

Assistance from booking through disembarkation—we’re with you every step of the journey.

Essential Information

Greenland Expedition FAQs

Greenland offers indigenous Inuit culture, larger ice formations, and more diverse landscapes including dramatic fjord systems. Svalbard provides better polar bear viewing and easier access from Europe. Greenland’s Scoresby Sund is the world’s longest fjord, while Svalbard focuses more on Arctic wildlife encounters.

Cultural exchanges feature prominently on Greenland expeditions. Village visits, traditional kayaking demonstrations, and kaffemik (coffee gathering) experiences offer authentic insights into Inuit life. Local guides share hunting traditions and discuss climate change impacts on their communities.

Greenland’s continental climate provides more stable conditions than maritime Antarctica, though katabatic winds can reach 150 km/hour descending from the ice sheet. Expeditions are flexible, adjusting itineraries to maximise favourable conditions. The east coast tends to have clearer skies than the west.

Family-friendly expeditions operate July-August with educational programmes designed for younger travellers. Minimum ages (typically 8-12 years) apply for zodiac operations and remote landings. The warmer summer conditions and 24-hour daylight make this season ideal for family adventures.

Danish Krone (DKK) serves as the official currency, though expedition ships operate in USD or EUR. Credit cards work in larger settlements like Ilulissat and Nuuk, while remote communities prefer cash. ATMs are limited outside main towns.

Northern lights viewing begins in late August and peaks September-October as darkness returns to Greenland. Scoresby Sund offers optimal aurora conditions with clear skies and zero light pollution. Specialised photography workshops help capture these ethereal displays.

Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency evacuation is mandatory for all Greenland expeditions. We recommend coverage of at least USD $100,000 for medical evacuation given the remote locations. We can suggest specialist polar travel insurance providers.

Budget for flights to gateway cities ($2,500-$4,500 from Australia), optional activities ($300-$1,000), gratuities ($15-$20/day), beverages, and personal gear. Pre/post-expedition hotels in Reykjavik or Copenhagen may be additional depending on your itinerary.

Ready to Explore Greenland?

Speak to a Greenland specialist who knows these fjords. Get expert guidance on the perfect itinerary, ship, and timing for your iceberg adventure.