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 …
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Visiting Greenland: Key factors
- The time of year you visit Greenland hugely influences the activities available
- For adventure activities, February to April is a great time when spring snow conditions are perfect for dog sledding and snowmobiling
- Spring (April & May) and summer (June to August) are the most popular times to travel
- The Midnight Sun can be experienced between mid-April and the end of August
- July and the first half of August is mosquito season – pack bug nets if you plan to travel inland, or head to South Greenland
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.
Embark on this epic fly and cruise 11- or 12-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…
- 11-12 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
- $23,595
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…
- 19 Days
- $17,568
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
- $4,700
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
- $8,836
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
- $25,069
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…
- 11 Days
- $20,800
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
- $12,931
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
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
- $13,551
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
Customer reviews of Greenland voyages
When is the best time to visit Greenland?
Spring
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 the pristine snow conditions provide ideal conditions for dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing around the town of Sisimiut on the west coast.
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.
Sisimiut blanketed in winter snow
Summer
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.
Hiking at Skjoldungen Fjord
Late Summer
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.
Sisimuit
Plan your trip to Greenland
Greenland Ship Guide
In the absence of hotels, exploring Greenland by ship provides unparalleled access to its remote coastlines and icy fjords. Greenland offers a wide choice of ships to choose from, …
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Getting to Greenland
Located roughly equidistant between Europe and North America, Greenland - the world’s largest island - is well connected and relatively easy to get to, whether you are arriving …
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Arctic Cruises FAQs
Our expert team are ready and waiting to answer your questions. Whether it's about a specific ship, the best time to travel, or even what clothing is best for the Arctic, we're …
Discover MoreWhen to Visit Greenland: FAQs
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When’s the best time for dog sledding?
March to May is the best time to experience dog sledding, when the snow conditions are good, temperatures warming up and the length of each day increasing.
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How do i get to Greenland?
If you plan to arrive by plane, the only direct flights are from Copenhagen and three Icelandic cities. The only way to arrive by boat is onboard an expedition ship from Svalbard or the Canadian Arctic.
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Do I need a visa?
Greenland follows Danish immigration, with passport holders from the EU, US, Canada and Australia not requiring a visa on entry.
All other travellers should check the specific requirements for their country.
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Which month offers the best ice scenery?
March and April are the best months for frozen fjords and winter ice landscapes.
From June to August you can expect massive icebergs calving off glaciers, especially around the Ilulissat Icefjord. Open fjords will be filled with melting ice, making for exhilarating kayaking opportunities.
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What and when is the Midnight Sun?
The term Midnight Sun is used to describe the phenomenon of 24-hour daylight, experienced on Greenland from 15th April to 26th August each year.
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How early should I book a Greenland trip?
We strongly recommend booking at least 10-20 months in advance, to ensure you’re able to secure your first choice and a well located cabin. Why risk having to compromise on such an important trip, so book well ahead.
Plus, most ships reward early bookers with a generous early booking discount, which is always appreciated, and may mean that cabin upgrade is more achievable than you had thought.
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Are there any last-minute Greenland deals?
From time-to-time, some ships may offer limited, last minute discounts on sub-optimal departure dates or itineraries, but the choice will be limited, and you’ll need to be flexible with your travel dates. Plus, by this stage, flight prices will be high, if they are even still available as with so free flights they do get booked out.
The smarter and less risky tactic is to book as early as possible, when you’ll be able to secure the highest early booking discount.
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Can I add a stay in Greenland before or after the cruise?
Yes you can, even if you have charter flights included in your Greenland cruise package.
While you’ll typically have a few hours available to explore Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq, either immediately before or on the morning you disembark, this will only allow you to explore the town itself and won’t give you enough time to take part in some of the more exciting summer excursions on offer.
Ready 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.
