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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Things to know
- Greenland may be a vast adventurer's playground, but it's far from an Arctic zoo. If wildlife is your number one priority, consider Svalbard or Churchill
- Animals most frequently sighted include seals, whales, musk oxen, reindeer and a variety of birds
- With a favourable wind and more than a little luck, you may spot a polar bear, arctic fox, mountain hares, walrus, lemmings and ermine
- Hunting is still very important to the locals - both culturally and as a means of subsistence – so wildlife is wary and hard to spot
Swoop says
Tracking musk ox across East Greenland’s windswept, autumnal tinged tundra was thrilling. These extraordinary animals look like they’ve just stepped out of the Ice Age.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Our most popular Greenland wildlife trips
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
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
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
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
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
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
- $6,250
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
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
- $9,949
Start off in Akureyri, then cross the Arctic Circle as you sail north across the Denmark Strait and along Greenland's immense eastern coastline. The final leg of the voyage is across the Greenland Sea to Longyearbyen. This is a truly…
- 14 Days
- $8,300
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
- $25,045
Exploring East Greenland doesn't get any easier. A short charter flight from Iceland saves you time and a potentially rough crossing of the Denmark Strait. On arrival, embark your small, expeditionary sailing ship and spend the next nine full days…
- 11 Days
- $6,150
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
- $17,729
One of very few voyages to explore Southern Greenland in depth, expect big ice, Viking history, dramatic scenery and humpback whale sightings. Then journey on to the west coast, delving into Greenlandic culture in the capital city, and visiting the…
- 14 Days
- $12,295
True adventurers wanted! Spend 11 whole days exploring the remote, virtually unvisited borderlands where Greenland and the Canadian Arctic meet. No other expedition ship travels this far north. Flying from Ottawa to Resolute, you’ll sail historic waterways, explore glacier-carved islands…
- 13 Days
- $11,336
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
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
Wildlife of Greenland
Musk Oxen
Although they resemble bison, these rather strange looking animals are actually very large goats and can weigh up to 900lbs. With impressive horns and enormous shaggy coats they are an iconic Arctic species that can be found feed on the rolling tundra in small family groups.
Their wool is ten times warmer than cashmere, but it's hard to process which makes it expensive to buy. The best place to spot herds of these creatures, is Kangerlussuaq on Greenland's west coast. However, they can be encountered on the tundra in a number of other locations.
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Musk Oxen in East Greenland
Reindeer (caribou)
This species of the deer family (also known as caribou in North America) has been living wild in Greenland for thousands of years and is the most widespread land mammal on the west coast. You are fairly likely to see reindeer on a hike on the tundra, particularly between Paamiut and Uummannaq.
Reindeer have always been an important prey for hunters and are shy as a result and quick to spook.
Graceful reindeer in Svalbard
Birdlife
Only approx. 60 bird species are permanent residents to Greenland, their numbers swell to about 235 by the rich variety of summer migratory visitors. One of the most striking is Greenland’s largest breeding bird, the white-tailed eagle, seen around southern coasts.
The auk is the most common breeding bird, but fulmars are sighted more frequently. The eider is the most important breeding wildfowl in Greenland - particularly common in coastal regions all over the island. The ptarmigan breeds all over Greenland, with white plumage in winter and grey in summer. The snow bunting is a summer visitor and you can see two species of falcon - peregrine and gyr.
Whales
The coastal waters around Greenland teem with whales, with up to 15 species being natives or regular visitors. The best time to spot the majestic creatures is once the winter ice has retreated, from early June to late September.
The most commonly sighted varieties are humpback, fin and minke whales. Occasionally blue whales and pods of killer whales (orca) can also be spotted. The only whales that are year-round residents are bowhead, narwhal and beluga whales - all arctic species rarely sighted elsewhere. Whale hunting, for centuries an essential means of subsistence for Greenlanders, is still permitted, but strictly controlled by quotas.
Humpback whale among the ice
Swoop says
While other parts of the Arctic offer better wildlife opportunities, the waters of west Greenland are outstanding for whale watching and very photogenic set against icebergs.
Polar Bears
The world’s largest land predator is an iconic symbol, emblematic of the Arctic and features in Greenland’s official coat of arms.
Significant numbers live in the northernmost parts of West Greenland and in Northeast Greenland - the most remote and uninhabited regions. It’s therefore extremely rare to see a living polar bear. However, they do occasionally appear in the south during the summer months, having drifted southwards down the east coast with the pack ice before coming ashore.
Your best chances of spotting a polar bear in Greenland is onboard an expedition ship in east Greenland.
Seals
The seas around Greenland are thronged with seals. Seal hunting has been an essential part of the local way of life for thousands of years, and continues to this day. None of the five local species is threatened with extinction.
The harp seal is the most common species of seal in Greenland. It arrives on Greenland’s southern coast around May from its breeding grounds around Newfoundland. The hooded seal is the largest of the five species, while the ringed seal - polar bears favourite food - is the smallest. The other two species, the bearded seal and the common seal, are relatively rare.
Ringed seal cruising through open water
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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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 …
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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 …
Discover MoreGreenland Wildlife: FAQs
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Are there naturalists, historians or indigenous cultural experts onboard?
Yes, there are. And these experts - each a specialist in their own particular field - are the backbone of the ship’s team, as they are your accompanying guides, interpreters and presenters.
While each expedition team is different and the individuals rotate around, you can definitely expect there to be a polar historian, glaciologist, local community guide, ornithologist and cetacean specialist on your voyage.
Expedition teams are each led by an Expedition Leader and they are typically between 13 and 30 guides, depending on the size of the ship and number of guests.
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Will a smaller ship provide better wildlife viewing and landings?
This is a tricky question to answer as there’s always a slice of luck involved when it comes to wildlife sightings. However, in our experience, smaller ships have a higher chance of better wildlife sightings because:
- Relative to a larger ship it's quiet through the water and less likely to disturb the skittish Arctic wildlife.
- The scale of larger ships can make wildlife sightings harder: you're higher up and therefore further from the wildlife (although elevation can also be an advantage, depending on how far away the wildlife is), and it takes longer to access the outer viewing decks.
- Choosing a larger ship doesn’t necessarily come with correspondingly larger outer decks which are capable of accommodating everyone when wildlife is spotted; smaller ships typically give everyone ample space so there’s no jockeying for a good view when that polar bear finally shows.
When it comes to landings, this is where having fewer guests on board carries a distinct advantage as it means:
- Getting everyone off the ship at the beginning of a shore excursion takes much less time, and avoids precious time wasted (and frustrations) waiting to get ashore.
- And less time spent ferrying everyone to and then back from a landing translates into having more time to spend on land, which in our book can mean a more satisfying overall experience by not feeling rushed and having the time you need.
- Fewer people, combined with a high guide-to-guest ratio, also means that the group sizes once you get on land will be smaller, and you’ll have more opportunity for 1-2-1 time with the experts.
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Are there optional activities like kayaking, hiking, photography workshops and the Polar plunge?
Yes, all of these optional activities are offered. If you are interested in specific ones, check carefully as each ship offers a slightly different activity programme.
Hiking, the Polar Plunge and photography workshops are all complimentary. Kayaking quite often carries an extra cost, which we can help advise you on.
Please note that paddle boarding, camping and scuba diving are not available on any ship.
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.
