Greenland Cruises: Explore the great Arctic islands

Expedition cruises to Greenland with Hurtigruten Expeditions

Pristine, beautiful, and peaceful. We’ll show you why these words are often used to describe Greenland. See pale blue glacial ice sparkle in the sun, walk through lush green valleys and Arctic tundra, and spot wildlife ranging from Arctic foxes to polar bears, depending on where we go.

Our expedition ships bring you to places few ever visit, including the vast silence of Northeast Greenland National Park, an island beach in remote Disko Bay, or deep within a mist-shrouded fjord.

Our onboard Expedition Team member’s years of expertise help you unlock the secrets of this immaculate island wilderness. They help bring you closer to its majestic scenery, captivating wildlife, and unique culture.

Photo: Mads Pihl, Karsten Bidstrup, Shutterstock and Birgit Ohlin

Passengers on an expedition boat in Thule

Reasons to cruise to Greenland

With 27,000 miles of coastline and fewer than 60,000 residents, Greenland is one of the most remote and pristine places on the planet. From immense glaciers to deep fjords, glittering icebergs, and iconic wildlife, our expedition ships bring you on a unique adventure to the world’s largest island.

Greenland’s rugged west coast features colorful towns. It is flanked by deep fjords and glaciers all the way up to Disko Bay, where uninhabited islands stud the blue Arctic waters. The east coast is practically uninhabited. It boasts the largest national park in the world, as well as the most extensive fjord system.

Reasons to cruise to Greenland

A warm culture greets you

The island of Greenland is a self-ruling state and part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The resourceful Inuit people have lived here for thousands of years, managing to exist in often harsh conditions. Their culture and customs are still clearly visible, and the tradition of the kaffemik (a cozy social gathering to celebrate an event) remains popular today.

Greenlanders love their beautiful country and are proud to show it to visitors. You might see rock carvings and cultural memorabilia in artsy Qaqortoq, while artisans still use time-honored methods to make clothing from musk ox fur, called qiviut. In Nuuk, stylish contemporary architecture sits alongside traditional painted wooden houses. Its backdrop of mountain peaks makes it one of the most photogenic capitals you’ll ever see.

Land of ice

Rivers of slow-moving ice pour forth from the immense ice cap that smothers the land. These floating chunks shimmer and sparkle as they move slowly down the fjords and out to sea. These natural works of art are some of nature’s most beautiful and ephemeral creations, subtly changing colour as the sun moves across the sky.

The dreamy atmosphere of the Eternal Fjord, the deafening silence of Northeast Greenland National Park, and the awe-inspiring spectacle of the UNESCO Ilulissat Icefjord will make you feel like you’re witnessing an epic natural saga. Few people ever experience such sights. Feel the thrill of raw nature in these untouched places.

Wildlife on land and at sea

The coastal area and waters surrounding Greenland are where the greatest concentrations of wildlife can be seen. Musk oxen and Arctic foxes tend to roam in areas devoid of humans, while you can always be on the lookout for birds such as Little Auks, Snowy Owls, and Greenland Gyrfalcons. The mighty-but-elusive polar bear can occasionally be seen roaming the Northeast National Park region.

The waters and shores will fascinate you, with humpback whales often spotted at the mouths of fjords or in the open ocean. Meanwhile, seals are often seen loafing on ice floes or swimming in the water.

Cruises

Adventures in Greenland

Nowhere in the world is better suited for off-the-beaten-track adventures than the world’s largest island, Greenland. The mirror-like waters of its misty fjords are perfect for kayaking, while deserted stony shores, peaceful green valleys, and windswept tundra demand to be explored on walks or hikes.

Adventures in Greenland

Adventures in Greenland

Discover a pristine natural environment, photogenic wildlife, and the unique culture of Greenland as we set out on an adventurous cruise. Get close to nature along the way as we take you on landings aboard our small boats (RIBs), on guided nature walks across the Arctic tundra, and on wildlife-spotting expeditions deep within the fjords.

Landings and small boats (RIBs) expeditions

Visit some of the most remote areas imaginable, where no infrastructure exists for our ships to dock. This is where our small boats (RIBs) come in. Whether we head for a pebbly beach, a rocky fjord inlet, or an uninhabited island, our small boats (RIBs) are a comfortable and convenient way of getting to the heart of Greenland.

Nature walks*

Join us for walks to viewpoints and sites of interest, such as Paradise Valley near Nuuk or the old Inuit settlement at Sermermiut. Wherever you go, you’ll be able to enjoy the scenic surroundings and ask the knowledgeable guides questions.

* Please note that some of these are optional activities at an additional cost

Colorful house and a red church under the mountain peak - Greenland

Town walks

The ‘urban centers’ along Greenland’s west coast are coastal settlements spread out along the shore, usually small enough to easily explore on foot. These towns are always colorful and interesting. Uncover fascinating such as like rock carvings at Qaqortoq, colonial era buildings at Maniitsoq, or contemporary architecture in Nuuk.

Wildlife watching

Wildlife is sure to be abundant, whether we’re exploring coastal ecosystems, sailing among the islands of Disko Bay, or venturing deep into the channels of the Scoresbysund fjord system. Spot whales and porpoises from the observation deck while we’re at sea, look out for Arctic foxes and musk oxen in the national parks, and scan the skies and shores for the numerous bird species who call Greenland home.

Science Center

The microscopes and other high-tech equipment in our onboard Science Center allow for hands-on demonstrations and workshops, deepening your knowledge of the places we visit. Along with interesting lectures, talks, and interactive displays, the Science Center also hosts Citizen Science projects that allow guests to contribute to important research.

Lectures and talks 

On board and ashore, our Expedition Team gives in-depth lectures on a variety of topics to bring your cruise to the next level. The subjects presented are specific to your destination and cover Greenland’s history, culture, and wildlife.

Shore Excursions*

Optional excursions offer special experiences that bring you closer to the places we explore. This might include a visit to a local person’s house for a kaffemik social gathering in Qaqortoq, a guided walk in Nuuk, or something else altogether.

* Please note that optional activities are at additional cost

Photo program

This included program is designed for photographers of all skill levels, giving you tips to help you better capture the spectacular photo opportunities around Greenland. You may also have the opportunity to join a more intensive one- to two-hour Photo Adventures* session. 

* Please note that the Photo Adventures session is an optional activity at an additional cost

Wildlife in Greenland

With the lowest population density of any country in the world, there’s space for plenty of wildlife in Greenland. This makes the world’s largest island a haven for creatures big and small. Mammals of all sizes roam the land. Birds nest on its shores, while whales and other cetaceans frolic in the sea.

Wildlife in Greenland

Arctic Fox

One wildlife favorite in Greenland is the Arctic fox. These hardy omnivores have pure white winter fur, small ears, and short muzzles. Arctic foxes build maze-like dens and will just as soon scavenge for food than find prey themselves, often following polar bears to get free pickings. Their coats change color with the season, taking on a more brown or gray hue in summer to aid camouflage.

Greenland gyrfalcon

The Greenland Gyrfalcon has mostly white plumage, compared to other falcon varieties, helping it to blend in as it stalks its prey. These rare gyrfalcons are most often seen in the western fjord regions of the country and are the largest of the falcon species, whose largest males stand up to two feet tall. A fearsome hunter, the Greenland Gyrfalcon preys upon small mammals and seabirds.

Seals

There are five different types of seal in Greenland: harp, hooded, ringed, harbor, and bearded. These pinnipeds, as they are known, have been the bedrock of human settlement in Greenland for millennia and are still hunted for their meat, blubber, and skins to this day. The good news is that according to the WWF, the populations of most seal species in Greenland are thriving. The kind you’re most likely to spot is the big-eyed harp seal.

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Price from $ 6,477

Greenland

Greenland

Expedition cruises to Greenland with Hurtigruten Expeditions

Reasons to cruise to Greenland

Reasons to cruise to Greenland

A warm culture greets you

Land of ice

Wildlife on land and at sea

Cruises

Adventures in Greenland

Adventures in Greenland

Adventures in Greenland

Landings and small boats (RIBs) expeditions

Nature walks*

Town walks

Wildlife watching

Science Center

Lectures and talks

Shore Excursions*

Photo program

Wildlife in Greenland

Wildlife in Greenland

Arctic Fox

Greenland gyrfalcon

Seals

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Lectures and talks 

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