Oqaatsut
Published: 06/06/2020
Reading time: 2 minutes
Oqaatsut (which means “cormorants” in Greenlandic) is a small settlement situated about 21km north of Ilulissat on the shores of Disko Bay.
Also known as Rodebay, it was established in the 18th century as a trading post for Dutch whalers. Rodebay means red bay in Dutch, when it was a dutch trading post a lot of hunted whales were brought into Rodebay because of that the water in the small bay changed color from blue to red. Until now on a calm day, you can still see whale bones lying at the bottom of the bay.
The population in Oqaatsut varies every year but it is usually around 20-30 people living there. In the settlement, you can find a small local store, a church that is also used as a school for local kids, a hotel, and H8 restaurant.
Its main industry now is fishing and tourism, and there are several adventures on offer from the small village. The best way to get there is by boat in summer and by snowmobile or dog sled in the winter. It is possible to stay overnight in Oqaatsut, kayaking, dogsledding, snowshoeing, have a settlement tour, and taste food with local ingredients in the restaurant and for keen hikers. You can walk all the way back to Ilulissat.

Hike from Oqaatsut to Ilulissat (or the other way around) is marked with orange dots so you can do it without a guide. You will follow the coastline all the way to Ilulissat (just be aware there is no phone connection). The hike is also called the Cecilia trail, every year locals organize a running completion called Cecilialøbet where participants run from Oqaatsut to Ilulissat!
Read more about Ilulissat and its surrounding area in the Ultimate Travel Guide to Ilulissat
Book your tours from Ilulissat to Oqaatsut!
Read more articles from Guide to Greenland
-
4.00(2)
Morning Kayaking the Ilulissat Icefjord | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 1495 DKKSee more -
1 to 6 passengers
Ilimanaq Settlement Visit | Private tour | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 6600 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Perfect winter tour with snow and ice | Ilulissat & Nuuk | 8-days
Tour startsFrom CopenhagenDuration8 daysFrom 26440 DKKSee more -
4.67(3)
The Great Ice Adventure | 12 Days | Disko Bay & West Greenland
Tour startsFrom CopenhagenDuration12 daysFrom 38400 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)1 To 6 Passengers Included
The Calving Glacier Eqi | Private tour | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration6 hoursFrom 12400 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)New Tour!
Icefishing and Restaurant H8 in Oqaatsut | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 2150 DKKSee more -
Hike to Oqaatsut settlement | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration10 hoursFrom 7580 DKKSee more -
5.00(3)Driver included!
Snowmobile tour to UNESCO viewpoint | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1750 DKKSee more -
Sailing Adventure
Set Sail on a Summer Odyssey Through the Arctic Wonders | 8 Days | West Greenland
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 daysFrom 63500 DKKSee more -
4.00(1)
The Arctic Sauna Experience | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration1.5 hoursFrom 660 DKKSee more -
5.00(6)Small groups
Iceberg Safari with open boat | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1430 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
Oqaatsut Kayaking Day | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration10 hoursFrom 2680 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)1 To 6 Passengers Included
Private Whale Safari | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration4 hoursFrom 8400 DKKSee more -
Authentic experience!
Expedition on Dogsled | 2 Days | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 daysFrom 10700 DKKSee more -
5.00(7)
Afternoon Kayak among Icebergs | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 1495 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)New Tour!
1-Day Boat Trip to Disko island & Kuannit Hike | Qeqertarsuaq
Tour startsIlulissatDuration9.5 hoursFrom 2950 DKKSee more -
5.00(3)
Chasing the Northern Lights | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 550 DKKSee more -
1 to 6 Passengers Included
Captains Favorite Strait Cruise Sullorsuaq | Private tour | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 17000 DKKSee more -
4.00(1)Accommodation & tours included!
Highlights of the Arctic winter in 5 days | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration5 daysFrom 11700 DKKSee more