

Sermeq Kujalleq | Ilulissat Glacier | Jakobshavn Glacier
Published: 06/06/2020
Reading time: 2 minutes
The Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier feeds the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ilulissat Icefjord and is one of the most famous and active glaciers in the world.

Alternatively known as the Jakobshavn Glacier or Ilulissat Glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq is located about 250km North of the Arctic Circle near the city of Ilulissat. It flows down from the Greenland Ice Sheet where it is estimated to drain about 6.5% (110,000 square kilometers) of the Inland Ice. The geography of the land under the Ice Sheet forces this large drainage system to be concentrated into a narrow stream, resulting in Sermeq Kujalleq being one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world – around 40m per day. It is also responsible for about 10% of all the icebergs in Greenland.Â
A Retreating Glacier
Sermeq Kujalleq has been studied scientifically for more than 250 years. Between the 1700s and 1851, the glacier advanced gradually, but since then it has retreated significantly. In particular, in 2002, the entire ice front of the glacier broke up, resulting in a retreat of ~12km in one year.

How to explore Sermeq Kujalleq
The only way to see the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier itself is with a scenic flight, as the face of the glacier is located about 80km away from Ilulissat and not easily accessible. For this reason, many visitors to Ilulissat choose to visit the Eqi Glacier to see a glacier face up close and witness the frequent calving events.

While it is not possible to visit Sermeq Kujalleq, there are many opportunities to explore the downstream result of the calving events from the glacier. The Ilulissat Icefjord is located ~2km to the South of Ilulissat and is easily reached by land or water.
For the best and most practical information about what there is to see and do around Ilulissat, including Sermeq Kujalleq, the Ilulissat Icefjord, and the Eqi Glacier, read our Ultimate Travel Guide to Ilulissat.
Read more articles from Guide to Greenland
-
4.88(8)
Open boat Midnight Cruise To Ilulissat Icefjord | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 695 DKKSee more -
Private charter!
Whale Safari | Maniitsoq | West Greenland
Tour startsManiitsoqDuration1.5 hoursFrom 3700 DKKSee more -
Up to 47 passengers
Bus service | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration1 hourFrom 1300 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Mountain Ridge Hike | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration8 hoursFrom 2250 DKKSee more -
Luxury Multi-Day Tour
7-Day Exclusive Luxury Escape: A Premier Greenland Adventure | West Greenland
Tour startsNuukDuration7 daysFrom 78350 DKKSee more -
Kuannit Hike | Qeqertarsuaq | Disko Bay
Tour startsQeqertarsuaqDuration4 hoursFrom 595 DKKSee more -
4.50(2)
Snowshoe hike and restaurant H8 | Oqaatsut | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration6 hoursFrom 1895 DKKSee more -
Fishing Tour | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2.5 hoursFrom 985 DKKSee more -
4.67(6)1 To 6 Passenger Included
Private Glacier Cruise | Narsap Sermia Glacier | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration6 hoursFrom 13000 DKKSee more -
Private Charter!
Helicopter Summit Flight | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration1 hourFrom 22000 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)
The Ultimate 8-day Arctic Winter Adventure | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 daysFrom 17700 DKKSee more -
Whale Safari | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration4 hoursFrom 2900 DKKSee more -
Includes 1 to 7 Passengers!
Kangersuneq Fjord Safari | Private Charter | Qasigiannguit | Diskobay
Tour startsQasigiannguitDuration5 hoursFrom 6200 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)Flightseeing with landing!
ISUA Glacier Adventure By Helicopter | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration1.5 hoursFrom 4695 DKKSee more -
5.00(5)
Meet Sled Dogs | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration1.5 hoursFrom 350 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Morning Icefjord Snowshoe Hike | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration4 hoursFrom 850 DKKSee more -
5.00(2)All inclusive! Group pricing!
Spend a night in a real Igloo | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 daysFrom 4300 DKKSee more -
Snowshoe to the top of Lille Malene | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration5 hoursFrom 3190 DKKSee more