Greenland Cruises
Greenland assaults your senses by its sheer scale, untamed rawness, ravishing beauty and remoteness, while her people will charm you with their hospitality. From Scoresby Sund’s …
Discover More
Things to know
- Seasonality is a significant factor in Greenland and hugely influences the activities available
- Spring (April & May) and summer (June to August) are the most popular times to travel in Greenland
- For adventure activities, February to April is a great time when spring snow conditions are perfect for dog sledding and 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 of August
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.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Our most popular Greenland voyages
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
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
- $13,995
Embark on this epic fly and cruise 11- or 13-day expedition into the wildest, least visited corner of Greenland, which combines the labyrinthine Scoresbysund fjord system with the vast Northeast Greenland National Park. By day, navigate spectacular fjords and pass…
- 11-13 Days
- $21,995
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
- $20,695
For an extraordinary Arctic introduction, join this unique full circumnavigation of Baffin Bay’s icy waters aboard a comfortable, state-of-the-art expedition ship. Travelling clockwise, you will navigate deep fjords, witness towering icebergs and explore remote sites. Venturing further north than almost…
- 21 Days
- $16,627
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
Join a 12-guest micro cruise to explore Scoresbysund in autumn. Witness the Northern Lights illuminating the fjords and discover a wild, pristine landscape on hikes across the autumnal tundra. Spot iconic Arctic wildlife like musk oxen and Arctic hares, and…
- 9 Days
- $18,995
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
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
- $5,266
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
- $25,973
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
This sweeping voyage stands out for its in-depth exploration of South and West Greenland, from the Norse legends of southern Greenland to Ilulissat’s mighty icefjord and Disko Island on the west coast. Travelling by luxury expedition ship offering multiple dining…
- 14 or 15 Days
- $14,200
Combining all of the jewels in West Greenland’s crown in a single trip, we know firsthand that this epic voyage is a real cracker. Explore the iconic sites of Ilulissat, Eqip Sermia and Uummannaq, alongside the remoteness of Eternity and…
- 11 Days
- $13,136
We love this voyage for its breathtaking variety – landscape, wildlife, habitat and culture – as you journey south from the icy home of the Inuit, through the boreal forest belt, to finish in Newfoundland, with its Viking and Celtic…
- 14 Days
- $12,921
Embark on this epic, sweeping Arctic odyssey spanning Svalbard's rich wildlife, remote Jan Mayen, Greenland's rugged east coast, and Iceland's stunning western fjords. Explore isolated settlements, hike the tundra, kayak among glowing icebergs, and search for polar bears, walrus, fox,…
- 16 Days
- $33,000
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 hour daylight 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 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.
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.
Customer reviews of Greenland voyages
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 …
Discover More
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 …
Discover More
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 …
Discover MoreReady to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
1. Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3. Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
