Greenland Cruises & Tours

May and June

Heavy sea ice locks the coast of Greenland during the spring months. These months are ideal for icebreaker cruises to explore the pack ice and participate in winter activities such as dog sledding with local Inuits.

July

During midsummer, guests can enjoy the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle with the warmest temperatures. July is ideal for exploring Southern Greenland and Disko Bay as they bask in the summer warmth.

August and September

Trips to the far north and East Greenland become possible in August as the sea ice recedes throughout the summer. From late August, the northern lights become visible in the skies across Greenland. Towards the end of September, the temperatures cool as winter approaches.

There are two ways to get to Greenland: cruise or fly.

For traveller’s ease, expedition cruises departing from Greenland ports include charter flights from Reyjavik, Paris, or other European capitals.

Expedition cruises to Greenland depart from Reykjavik, Iceland, with outstanding flight connections to North America and Europe.

If you travel to Greenland independently of a cruise, you can fly to Greenland from Iceland or Denmark with Air Greenland or Icelandair.

As Greenland is a very remote area with minimal infrastructure and no roads outside settlements, a great way to travel around Greenland is on an expedition cruise. It’s a chance to visit places such as the Northeast Greenland National Park or the villages of Tassilaq and Ittoquortomit, which are trapped by sea ice for most of the year.

You can also visit Greenland on a regular cruise ship. However, these ships are not equipped with Zodiacs for shore landings, so their destinations are much more limited. If you plan on seeing the best Greenland offers, we highly recommend an expedition cruise.

Greenland cruises are a great way to explore the country’s raw nature. Cruise ships are equipped with Zodiacs and a team of expedition guides who will take you exploring off-ship.

Expect daily shore landings to visit natural sites such as glaciers and undertake hiking in the remote wilderness. Join additional activities, kayak amongst the ice, or try dog sledding on an early-season icebreaker cruise. 

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Greenland on an expedition cruise is between the end of August and October.

Greenland has an Arctic climate in the north, and summer temperatures vary between 3 – 15°c. Southern Greenland is warmer than the north, with summertime temperatures reaching as high as 20°c.

Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the spring and autumn months.

It’s important to dress for variable temperatures with many layers that can easily be added or removed.

Polar Escapes offers the largest selection of cruise ships and cruise lines exploring Greenland with the world’s top expedition operators. Please get in touch for help choosing the right cruise for you.

To learn more please see our guide on how to choose your expedition ship.

Travellers from the USA, UK and Europe do not require a visa to enter Greenland. A full list of visa-free countries can be found on Visit Greenland. 

To embark on an expedition cruise, you must have a passport that is six months old from the date of expiry.

If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.