Greenland Ships
The combination of Greenlandic life being largely focused on the coast, a ravishingly beautiful coastline and a limited infrastructure on land makes ship-based travel the perfect …
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Top reasons to go on a cruise to Greenland
- Truly magnificent mountainscapes and some of the planet's most spectacular fjords
- Chase the dazzling display of the Northern Lights
- Experience the immensity of Ilulissat Icefjord or Scoresby Sund's labyrinthine fjord system
- Trace Greenland's rich culture - both past and present
- Land-based trips are possible, but the sheer size of the country means that traveling by boat allows you to take in much more
Swoop says
Greenland is just so pure and clean. Ice, thousands of years old, predates our impact on the world and somehow the air feels just as pure. Combined with scenery designed for giants, any time spent in Greenland is life changing.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Our most popular Greenland cruises
Greenland is vast, and whether you choose to explore the wild east, populous west, or historic south coast, you can expect daily off-ship excursions showcasing the best of each distinct region.
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Sailing in August or September, explore the massive fjords of East Greenland and their legendary icebergs, spot musk oxen and visit ancient and modern Inuit settlements. Late summer provides a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights. A choice of…
- 10 Days
- $6,000
Combining the majestic landscapes of remote East Greenland and a slice of western Iceland with all the trappings of travelling aboard a state-of-the-art luxury expedition ship, this trip overdelivers on every front. Enjoy the sensory overload of Arctic landscapes during…
- 16 Days
- $25,000
There are few wilder, more remote places on the planet than East Greenland. Travelling by a small, very comfortable custom-built expedition ship, this voyage aims to showcase the best of Greenland’s eye-popping scenery, vast ice and exotic wildlife. Walk the…
- 12 Days
- $19,769
Exploring East Greenland’s wild, dramatic coastline on board a small, custom-built polar ship, this is expedition cruising at its very best. Hike the autumnal tundra in search of musk oxen during the day, with a strong chance to see the…
- 11 Days
- $8,326
This might be a short trip but it packs a huge amount in. Sail among the ice of Disko Bay and spot humpbacks hunting herring; trek to the look out over Jakobshavn Glacier; explore the settlements of Sisimiut and Itilleq…
- 8 Days
- $6,495
Stay in a specially designed seasonal safari-style camp as your base and explore this little visited land by kayak, zodiac, motor boat, helicopter or on foot. The long summer days help maximise exploration, while the rustic luxury of the camp…
- 10 Days
- $14,195
East Greenland in May is still frozen and inaccessible, unless you’re travelling aboard this extraordinary icebreaker which is the only ship capable of pushing through the pack ice to explore this wild, pristine land in springtime. This is true polar…
- 11 Days
- $21,640
Focused on East Greenland’s Ammassalik region, specifically the incredible ice-choked Sermilik Fjord, this trip offers the best of this entire coastline in microcosm. Travelling slowly in a rarely visited area, maximising time off ship to hike and explore the tundra,…
- 10 Days
- $12,180
Featuring Greenland’s vast icebergs and humpback whales as the main stars, this voyage packs real punch. Highlights include the impressive Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO site with its kilometre high icebergs, zodiac cruises, Inuit village visits and walking the rugged tundra. Combines…
- 16 Days
- $16,197
The Disko Bay to Uummannaq coastline arguably encapsulates the best of West Greenland. Travelling slowly, maximising time off ship as much as possible, and benefitting from a maximum of only 12 guests, this trip gets under the skin of this…
- 10 Days
- $12,090
Greenland & Svalbard cruises
While Greenland has more than enough appeal on its own, combining East Greenland and its near neighbour, Svalbard, makes for a spectacular longer cruise of great contrast and variety.
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
This extraordinarily varied two-centre combination Arctic voyage not only consistently overdelivers, but it's also sensibly priced for all you will experience. Travelling onboard an elegant, sturdy older ship, any shortcomings it may have in the luxury amenities department are more…
- 15 Days
- $9,099
Beginning deep inside the High Arctic and finishing in subarctic Iceland, we like this voyage for its diversity, sense of journey and extended time exploring East Greenland. Zodiac cruising among towering icebergs, glimpsing the Northern Lights and tracking musk oxen…
- 20 Days
- $10,000
Experience the best of two contrasting Arctic regions as they get ready for summer. Beginning in Reykjavík, this audacious voyage by expeditionary icebreaker ship arches north across the Arctic circle following the dramatic, ice-choked coastline of east Greenland, before steering…
- 17 Days
- $36,860
Beginning in Svalbard before sailing west across the Greenland Sea and exploring Greenland’s long eastern coastline to finish in Iceland, this is an audacious Arctic journey of startling diversity and contrast. Spectacular landscapes, towering glaciers and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters all…
- 15 Days
- $22,295
Introductions to the High Arctic don’t come much better. Traverse wildlife-rich Svalbard via East Greenland’s towering icebergs and autumnal tundra, then continue on to Iceland. Aurora sightings are possible at any point.…
- 15 Days
- $10,831
This comprehensive Arctic triumvirate encompassing Svalbard, East Greenland and Iceland offers the best of the Arctic: some of the best wildlife viewing with spectacular scenery, unspoiled fjords, gigantic icebergs and Inuit communities. You may also be lucky enough to see…
- 14 Days
- $11,495
Greenland & Canadian Arctic cruises
Divided by a short sail across the Davis Strait, combining the spectacular coast and picturesque villages of West Greenland with the wildlife and history of the Canadian Arctic works brilliantly.
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Combining little-visited southeast Baffin Island with the towering icebergs and charming communities of West Greenland, this is an unusual and fascinating exploration of two very different Arctic regions divided by Baffin Bay. Sailing on an all-inclusive luxury polar ship, with…
- 17 Days
- $21,250
Circumnavigate legendary Baffin Bay as part of this extraordinary Arctic adventure which cherry picks the region’s highlights. From West Greenland’s spectacular glaciers and pretty Inuit villages to the remoteness and rich wildlife of Baffin Island, this is a journey of…
- 17 Days
- $18,739
Spending time exploring Canada’s historic Northwest Passage and West Greenland, we like this voyage’s balance and variety as much as exploring little visited spots such as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world, and Smith Sound. Big ice,…
- 17 Days
- $20,521
This comprehensive westbound voyage stands out for its compelling combination of West Greenland, the east coast of Baffin Island and the historic Northwest Passage. Jaw-dropping scenery, towering icebergs, thrilling wildlife encounters, Inuit community visits and fascinating history pervade this epic…
- 17 Days
- $16,031
Ilulissat glacier at sunset
A hiker overlooks a glacial front
The fluke of a diving humpback whale
Iceberg reflections in Scoresbysund
Northern lights over the Greenland Ice Cap in Spring
Admiring pancake ice from the bow
Sisimiut blanketed in winter snow
Muskox in the lowlands during summer
Ice sculptures in Scoresbysund
The beautiful low light of an early season sunrise
Majestic glacial ice in Disko Bay
Choosing your Greenland cruise
Greenland is huge and bound in ice for much of the year. The ships that do explore this beautiful remote land travel in July, August and September, and if you want choice, book as early as you can.
Temperatures remain well above freezing, even early in the season. Later in August and September is your best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, but no matter when you depart, ice is a big factor, so you'll need to be flexible and consider the strength of the ship you choose.
With fewer polar bears in much of Greenland there are also opportunities to get some longer treks in, which can be hard to achieve in other regions. Ensure your ship facilitates being active if you want to get out and about.
Greenland regions
West Greenland
Most cruises start and end in Kangerlussauq, which sits at the head of a stunning fjord and close to the ice cap. It boasts a long airport runway and is the most populated region of Greenland. The west coast is also home to the capital Nuuk, where you can discover the UNESCO world heritage site in Ilulissat Icefjord, with its huge icebergs and picturesque settlements.
These waters are rich in nutrients that nourish the countless whales and seals which call these waters home in the summer months. Cruises in West Greenland often focus on Disko Bay, and it's also a great place to start or end a cruise into the Northwest Passage.
Traditional Greenlandic village
East Greenland
This is Greenland's wildside. Sparsely populated and lacking any significant infrastructure, exploring the East of Greenland by any means other than boat is something of a challenge. You'll discover pristine landscape, sumptuous fjords and ice, all on a truly gigantic scale.
Life has not changed significantly since the arrival of the Thule people for the 3,500 residents of East Greenland. There is always a friendly welcome and a chance to learn about their customs while you explore this land of ice and mountains.
Expeditions in East Greenland usually focus on Soresbysund fjord and are often combined with travel to Iceland and Svalbard; making for a truly spectacular Arctic experience.
Electric blue icebergs in Scoresby Sund, East Greenland
South Greenland
Perhaps the most verdant region of Greenland, South Greenland is commonly referred to as the 'Garden of Greenland'. Eric the Red is said to have first landed here, naming the country as he did. Southern Greenland is steeped in history, with beautiful fjords and colourful valleys offering amazing trekking experiences for the active explorer. There are even hot springs to relax in at the end of a long trek.
The culture is also particularly distinct. Small farming communities are joined by dirt tracks and hiking trails, and have strong links to the north pacific countries given that Reykjavik is closer than Nuuk. Expeditions in South Greenland generally start in Iceland and continue to West Greenland.
Narsarsuaq, South Greenland
What our customers think of Greenland Cruises
About Greenland
Greenland wildlife
Much of Greenland's population rely on hunting to serve them through long winters; living in sparsely located settlements where supply ships are rare. While there is plenty of wildlife in Greenland, it tends to avoid settlements and can be a bit harder to spot than in other parts of the Arctic.
You are likely to see a host of marine wildlife with humpbacks, beluga and greenland whale as well as narwhal and seals. On land you will be lucky to see a polar bear; although they are there and have been known to walk into some of the remote communities, you are far more likley to see Musk Oxen. There is a rich tapestry of birdlife both on the sea and the land, with species such as sabines gull, loons and the white tailed eagle.
Muskoxen on the Greenlandic tundra
Greenland ships
Sunset as you approach Greenland
As your floating hotel and basecamp, it's crucial to choose the right ship. Smaller ships plying Greenland's waters host around 50 passengers, and the largest around 200. Levels of comfort and cabin types vary, so you can find a ship that meets your preferences best.
A ship's ice-strengthened capabilities and stability are important criteria if considering either an itinerary with a sea crossing or where there's a chance to experience heavy ice (East Greenland and Northwest Passage).
Greenland: FAQs
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How do I choose which region to visit?
It's a tricky question as each region is so distinct, but in short:
- East Coast: Very wild and unpopulated. Perfect for those in search of true wilderness. Better chances of seeing wildlife than in the west, but limited.
- West Coast: A spectacular coastline dotted with pretty, colourfully-painted villages. Good chance of seeing whales. Highlights include the capital, Nuuk, and the mighty Ilulissat Icefjord.
- South Coast: First settled on by the Vikings, making it perfect for history buffs, a warmer climate and farming gives the south a totally different feel to the rest of the island.
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When is the best month to travel?
Cruises of Greenland operate during the summer months between June and early September when the opening up of the ice allows passage along the coastline. However, East Greenland cruises and those combining with Canada's Northwest Passage are only in late August and September.
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What wildlife might I see?
You may see some wildlife - musk oxen and birdlife particularly - but Greenland isn’t renowned for wildlife in the same way as Svalbard and Canada's Northwest Passage. You would certainly be very lucky to see a polar bear, and only in East Greenland. If seeing wildlife is your primary objective then there are better places in the Arctic.
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Will I see the Northern Lights?
It depends on the timing of your cruise. Due to the constant 24 hours of daylight in high summer (June - August), you won't get to see them. The best chances for experiencing the extraordinary Aurora Borealis are on a September cruise when the rapidly drawing in nights of early autumn provide the ideal conditions. Greenland is a particularly good place for seeing the Northern Lights from our own personal experience.
Plan your trip to Greenland
Greenland Landing Sites
With planned daily excursions accompanied by your team of polar experts, expect active exploration on foot and by zodiac - from slaloming between icebergs, learning about the rich …
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Getting to Greenland
For such a large country surrounded by close neighbours, it isn’t a straightforward place to get to, but this is very much part of Greenland’s charm. Whether travelling by air …
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When to Visit Greenland
Greenland wears very different cloaks depending on when you choose to visit: spring, summer or autumn. Each has its own enchanting characteristics making it tough to decide which …
Discover MoreReady to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
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2. Match
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3. Reserve
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