Arctic Expedition Cruises

Greenland Expedition Cruises

Giant Icebergs, Remote Communities & Vast Arctic Wilderness

Greenland feels properly wild.

Huge icebergs drift through deep fjords. Colourful settlements sit between mountains and sea. Glaciers tumble towards the coast, while whales, musk oxen and Arctic wildlife inhabit an enormous landscape.

An expedition cruise is one of the best ways to experience it.

Small ships can reach remote areas with few roads and little infrastructure. Days are shaped by Zodiac cruises, shore landings, wildlife encounters and visits to Greenlandic communities.

And no two voyages are quite the same. Ice, weather and wildlife all play their part.

At Mapping Your Travel, we'll help you compare Greenland expedition ships, routes and operators to find the voyage that suits you.

✓ Cruise among enormous icebergs

✓ Visit Greenlandic communities

✓ Explore fjords and glaciers

✓ Look for whales and Arctic wildlife

Musk oxen in Greenland on an Arctic expedition cruise

Why Greenland?

One Island. Very Different Arctic Experiences.

Greenland is the world's largest island, and around 80% of it is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet.

But an expedition cruise isn't just about ice.

Greenland brings together enormous landscapes, fascinating culture and wildlife.

You may spend one day cruising beneath a glacier and the next visiting a small coastal community.

There are no roads connecting Greenland's towns and settlements. Travelling by expedition ship gives you access to places that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

You could explore the iceberg-filled waters around Ilulissat, travel deep into East Greenland's fjords or journey into the remote High Arctic regions of the far north.

Why we like Greenland: It isn't only a wildlife expedition. The combination of ice, landscapes and Greenlandic culture gives these voyages a very different feel from many other polar journeys.

Scoresby Sund fjords on a Greenland expedition cruise

Life on Expedition

What to Expect on a Greenland Expedition Cruise

Greenland isn't a traditional cruise destination.

The ship is your base, but the experience happens outside.

A typical expedition day may include a Zodiac cruise beneath huge cliffs, a guided walk ashore, wildlife watching or time in a Greenlandic community.

Your expedition team will adapt plans around weather, sea ice and local conditions.

That flexibility is part of expedition cruising. Sometimes a change of plan leads to one of the best moments of the trip.

Some voyages concentrate solely on Greenland. Others combine it with Iceland, Svalbard or the wider High Arctic.

Choosing Your Route

West, East or Far North Greenland?

Where you travel in Greenland matters. West Greenland, East Greenland and the remote far north offer very different expedition experiences.

West Greenland

West Greenland can be a wonderful introduction to the country.

It combines spectacular ice with settlements and opportunities to experience Greenlandic culture.

Ilulissat and Disko Bay are major highlights, particularly if you dream of seeing huge icebergs.

East Greenland

East Greenland feels much more remote.

Here, the scale of the wilderness really takes over.

Scoresby Sund is a major draw, with vast fjords, mountains, glaciers and icebergs.

Far North Greenland

For a more adventurous journey, selected expedition voyages travel into Greenland's far north.

These High Arctic routes can explore remote areas around north-west Greenland and the Qaanaaq region.

They suit travellers drawn to remoteness, ice and a stronger sense of exploration.

Not sure which route? We'll start with what you most want from Greenland, then look at the itineraries and ships that fit.

West Greenland expedition cruise and Greenlandic community

When to Travel

When Is the Best Time for a Greenland Expedition Cruise?

The main Greenland expedition season runs through the Arctic summer, broadly from June to September.

Long daylight hours give expedition teams plenty of opportunity to explore.

But there isn't one perfect month for everybody.

Earlier departures can offer a different ice experience. Later summer voyages bring changing light and the approach of Arctic autumn.

Where you travel matters too. West Greenland, East Greenland and the remote far north offer very different expedition experiences.

We'd choose the month around the route and experience you want, rather than selecting a date first.

Ilulissat Icefjord and giant icebergs in Greenland

West Greenland Highlight

Ilulissat & Disko Bay

For many travellers, this is the Greenland they've imagined.

Ilulissat sits beside the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, where enormous quantities of ice travel from the Greenland Ice Sheet towards Disko Bay.

The scale can be difficult to appreciate until you're there.

Icebergs tower above the water. Others stretch far beneath the surface.

From the ship or a smaller boat, the landscape can seem to change by the hour.

Ilulissat also gives you the chance to experience life in a Greenlandic town rather than seeing Greenland only as wilderness.

East Greenland Highlight

Scoresby Sund

Scoresby Sund is one of the world's largest fjord systems and one of East Greenland's great expedition destinations.

It's enormous.

Mountains rise above deep fjords. Glaciers flow towards the sea and huge icebergs drift through the water.

Expedition ships can spend days exploring this network of fjords, using Zodiacs to reach smaller bays and landing sites.

There are also opportunities on some itineraries to visit remote communities.

If your idea of Greenland is about space, silence and dramatic Arctic scenery, East Greenland deserves serious consideration.

Arctic Wildlife

What Wildlife Could You See in Greenland?

Wildlife sightings vary by region, season and itinerary.

Nothing is guaranteed, which is part of travelling somewhere genuinely wild.

Depending on your route, you may encounter:

Whales Humpback, fin and other whale species can be encountered around Greenland's coastline.

Musk Oxen These remarkable Arctic animals can be found in parts of Greenland's tundra.

Arctic Foxes Small, hardy and beautifully adapted to Arctic conditions.

Seals Several seal species inhabit Greenland's waters and ice.

Seabirds Summer brings large numbers of birds to Greenland's coast and cliffs.

Polar Bears Possible on certain remote routes, particularly in parts of East and North Greenland, but never guaranteed.

If wildlife is your main priority, tell us. We'll look carefully at the region, route and season rather than simply choosing a cruise labelled "Greenland".

At a Glance

Greenland Expedition Cruise Essentials

Main Season June to September

Expedition Style Zodiacs, landings, wildlife and culture

Combine With Iceland, Svalbard or the wider Arctic

Ittoqqortoormiit in East Greenland on a Greenland expedition cruise

Finding Your Greenland Voyage

Choosing Your Greenland Expedition

The right Greenland voyage comes down to what you want to experience most.

Perhaps it's sailing among enormous icebergs, exploring remote fjords, visiting Greenlandic communities or travelling further north into the High Arctic.

The ship matters too. We can help you compare different expedition operators and ships, from smaller adventure-focused vessels to more luxurious options.

Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll help narrow down the Greenland journeys that suit you.

For more inspiration, explore our Expedition Cruises page.

Greenland Expedition Cruise Specialists

Ready to Start Planning Greenland?

Tell us what has drawn you to Greenland.

Icebergs? Wildlife? Greenlandic culture? Remote wilderness? Or perhaps Greenland is part of a bigger Arctic adventure.

We'll help you compare the ships, routes and expedition operators to find the right fit.

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Greenland Expedition Cruises

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Greenland Expedition Cruises

Giant Icebergs, Remote Communities & Vast Arctic Wilderness

One Island. Very Different Arctic Experiences.

What to Expect on a Greenland Expedition Cruise

West, East or Far North Greenland?

West Greenland

East Greenland

Far North Greenland

When Is the Best Time for a Greenland Expedition Cruise?

Ilulissat & Disko Bay

Scoresby Sund

What Wildlife Could You See in Greenland?

Greenland Expedition Cruise Essentials

Choosing Your Greenland Expedition

Ready to Start Planning Greenland?

Greenland Expedition Cruises

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