Amongst icebergs and whales

Sailing in Greenland is just as natural a part of everyday life as driving a car is for others. However, sailing in Arctic waters is often much more than just a question of getting from A to B. Sailing is a lifestyle and almost a law of nature in and around the world's largest island, where none of the towns are linked by roads.

For the native population a sailing trip into a fjord is the natural respite and highlight of a working week, as long as the weather permits it and the season is suitable for sailing. The majority ready their boats in May and take them ashore during the autumn. This is also the season for tourists to sail, where adventures range from meeting whales up close to the chance to study icebergs and go on excursions to settlements, natural phenomena, cultural sites and much more.

Sailing is the maritime lifeblood
As a tourist you can sail in most of Greenland; the sea is quite simply the country's lifeblood. In the bigger towns, excursions ranging in duration and content are run by the local tourist offices. Such excursions can include a midnight sailing trip through the icebergs at Ilulissat or a whale safari in Nuuk. In South Greenland you can go on an excursion from Qaqortoq to the beautifully situated settlement of Alluitsup Paa, which is famous for its hot springs on the island of Uunartoq.

If you would prefer a voyage of greater duration and more comfort, then you should instead consider a cruise with a dedicated operator such as Hurtigruten or a scheduled service with Arctic Umiaq Line's good ship Sarfaq Ittuk, which sails from Narsarsuaq in the south of the country to Ilulissat in the north.