Greenland Cruises
Greenland assaults your senses with pure air, crystal waters, blue ice, staggering fjords, a fascinating past and a welcoming present. Whether you are whale watching in Disko …
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Things to know
- Seasonality is a significant factor in Greenland and hugely influences the activities available
- Spring (April & May) & Summer (June - August) are the most popular times to travel in Greenland
- For adventure activities, February - April is a great time when spring snow conditions are perfect for dog sledding & snowmobiling
- July and the first half of August is mosquito season - pack bug nets if you plan to travel inland, or head to South Greenland
- The Midnight Sun can be experienced between mid April and the end August
When is the best time to go?
Spring
March and April
One of the best times to experience Greenland is in March and April. With the return of the sun after the long winter, warmth begins seeping back into the land and pristine snow conditions provide ideal conditions for dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing.
Early March is characterised by a haunting blue sky and crisp temperatures. As spring progresses the hours of daylight and temperatures steadily increase until the arrival of the Midnight Sun and 24 hours of light in April.
The town of Sisimiut on the west coast is the Greenland’s adventure capital and the place to head for at this time of year.
Sisimiut blanketed in winter snow
Summer
May to August
The Greenlandic summer begins around May-June, peaking in July and August when visitors numbers are at their highest.
Early summer’s warming temperatures and rapidly receding ice trigger the arrival of Greenland’s migratory visitors - including 60 species of migratory birds who come to nest and humpback whales in west Greenland - while the tundra becomes carpeted by wild flowers.
Improving weather invites exploration: experience the ice cap by camping out overnight, limitless trekking opportunities across the ice free tundra, or perhaps take to a kayak - originally introduced by Greenland’s Thule culture.
The opening up of the ice in west and south Greenland also sees the arrival of the first expedition ships. High summer is the busiest time in Greenland.
Autumn
September
The seasons in The Arctic follow one another in rapid succession. By early September most birds will have headed south and already temperatures are decreasing. However, in east Greenland the pack ice at this time moves northwards offering a brief window to explore this remote and little visited coast by expedition ship, including Scoresby Sund and the fjords of Northeast Greenland National Park.
One big advantage of the drawing in of the night again is the chance to glimpse the Northern Lights, and few places offer such good prospects as Greenland.
Hikers on Hare Fjord, Scoresby
Swoop says
Regardless of when you decide to visit, Greenlandic weather is unpredictable and can change swiftly catching out the unprepared. Ensure you pack the right clothing to cover all eventualities.
Most popular Greenland trips
Saving three days at sea by flying both ways, East Greenland’s towering icebergs, vivid displays of the Aurora Borealis and autumn tinged landscapes have never been more accessible. Highlights include exploring Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system, and the…
- 10 Days
- $6,695
Sailing in September, explore the massive fjords of East Greenland and their legendary icebergs, spot musk oxen and visit ancient and modern Inuit settlements, while late summer provides a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights. A choice of three…
- 8 Days
- $4,182
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 will…
- 13 or 15 Days
- $5,711
Alex says
Regardless of when you decide to visit, Greenlandic weather is unpredictable and can change swiftly catching out the unprepared. Ensure you pack the right clothing to cover all eventualities.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Antarctica
Plan your trip
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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Greenland
From Greenland’s vast size and diversity of landscape to her welcoming people and vibrant city, it’s a staggering place on so many levels. For the adventure traveller, few …
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Help Me Choose
We're all clear on where the Arctic is located and why we want to visit, but its vastness and the sheer variety of experiences on offer can be a real challenge when deciding where …
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