

Sailing to the Nuuk Icefjord
Jump to chapter
Published: 26/06/2020
Reading time: 5 minutes
The Nuuk Fjord system is the second-largest in the world. It is a beautiful waterway that features tall mountains, a handful of small settlements (only one of which is permanently inhabited), and the opportunity to spot whales during the Summer months. Read on for a description of my ~160km journey to the end of the Nuuk Fjord where icebergs are born.
- Read the Ultimate Travel Guide to Nuuk
After several weekends of miserable weather, I was super-excited to head off under almost-blue skies towards Sermitsiaq, Nuuk’s iconic mountain.

We were not the only ones heading out

and the relatively mild temperatures (compared with my previous winter excursions into the Nuuk Fjord) encouraged us to sit outside for unobstructed views of the spectacular mountains that line the fjord.

Icebergs in the Nuuk Fjord
There has been a lot of iceberg activity around Nuuk recently – probably due to the very warm Spring we are experiencing. We came across several large icebergs along the way and our captain, Claus, took us for a loop around the biggest one.


A stop by Qoornoq
Our sailing route took us past the small, abandoned settlement of Qoornoq. Yes, I know it doesn’t look abandoned, and it isn’t – in Summer. The families of the people that used to live in the village have maintained the buildings for Summer cottages, and many spend at least part of the warmer months in Qoornoq. During winter (when I last visited), it looks completely different!


After floating and taking in the view near Qoornoq so we could enjoy a 20-minute coffee-break, we continued voyage deeper into the fjord. Large icebergs became more prevalent, and a solitary mountain marked the entrance to the icefjord.

Claus sailed us in for a closer look

to reveal a waterfall hidden within a crevasse

and huge numbers of sea birds nesting in the cliffs.

The Nuuk Icefjord
Given how early it was in the season (beginning of May), we couldn’t sail too far up the icefjord itself before encountering more ice than our captain was comfortable in navigating. In particular, while there may have been a route through the ice on the way in, he was very conscious that the ice could close behind us and block our way out.

Still – the views were amazing, and I clearly have to come back at the end of Summer so I can get up closer to the massive glacier we could see in the distance.

There was almost no wind when we first arrived, and I had a field day taking pictures of near-perfect reflections of icebergs and the sky in the pristine glacial water.



While we were busy clicking and drinking in the views, Claus appeared with a table and lunch for us! Al fresco dining in a pretty amazing lunch spot I have to say!

In total, we spent just over an hour eating, chatting and enjoying the silence and serenity of this very special part of Greenland.
Heading home from the Nuuk Icefjord
We started the long journey back once the breeze found us, and it wasn’t too long before we were sailing against quite a strong headwind. So much so, that Claus decided to sail home via a different, but equally stunning branch of the fjord system.


We were welcomed home to Nuuk by bright blue skies, colourful houses and Lille and Store Malene – that two mountains that sit directly behind Nuuk and are extremely popular for hiking during the Summer and snowshoeing / cross-country skiing during the Winter.

I can’t wait for the next opportunity to head back into the fjord to explore!
Explore the Nuuk Fjord for yourself
If you are planning a trip to Nuuk, I recommend reading the Ultimate Travel Guide to Nuuk.
You should definitely get out on the water with one of the many fjord tours on offer. There are options that are based solely around the scenery (like this one that I did), and others that include fishing (some also have professional chefs cook whatever you catch for your lunch!), visiting an abandoned village, or experiencing life in a small Greenlandic community.
A million thanks to Claus and my fun travel companions for an incredible trip!
Read more travel blogs from Lisa Germany
-
Snowshoe to the top of Lille Malene | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration5 hoursFrom 3190 DKKSee more -
Boat tour Uummannaq 360°| North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration2 hoursFrom 1600 DKKSee more -
Authentic experience!
Expedition on Dogsled | 2 Days | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 daysFrom 10700 DKKSee more -
1 TO 6 PASSENGERS INCLUDED
Northern Lights Private Boat Tour | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration3 hoursFrom 8500 DKKSee more -
New Tour!
Hike to The Glacier Lagoon & Paakitsoq | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration9 hoursFrom 2000 DKKSee more -
Price for 4 people!
Best of South Greenland by Helicopter | Qaqortoq | South Greenland
Tour startsQaqortoqDuration2.5 hoursFrom 28800 DKKSee more -
Accommodation and tours included!
3 Days with Glacier Hiking, Ice Camping & Local Flavors | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration3 daysFrom 5500 DKKSee more -
New tour!
Dog Sledding the Arctic Circle Trail to “the Viewpoint” | Sisimiut
Tour startsSisimiutDuration8 hoursFrom 4500 DKKSee more -
Includes 7 to 10 passengers!
Abandoned settlement visit | Private Charter | Qasigiannguit | Disko Bay
Tour startsQasigiannguitDuration3 hoursFrom 3800 DKKSee more -
4.90(10)Flexible departures!
The Great Russell Glacier | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration2.5 hoursFrom 2100 DKKSee more -
1 to 6 passengers included!
Private Midnight Sun Tour | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration3 hoursFrom 7200 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Ukkusissat Mountain Hike | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration5 hoursFrom 4390 DKKSee more -
4.00(1)
City Walk | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration2 hoursFrom 1590 DKKSee more -
Hammock tents adventure | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration2 daysFrom 7500 DKKSee more -
Arctic Desert Experience | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration2.5 hoursFrom 2200 DKKSee more -
Hike To Garnet Rock | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration8 hoursFrom 950 DKKSee more -
1 to 6 passengers included
Private Glacier and Settlement Tour | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration4 hoursFrom 7700 DKKSee more