Polar Cruising: Antarctica & The Arctic 2023

10 INspiring Destinations in Greenland Disko Bay is a large bay located along the west coast of Greenland looking towards Canada’s Baffin Island. The small town of Ilulissat and the incredible Ilulissat Icefjord, a natural wonder of Greenland, sit on the coast overlooking Disko Bay. In the Ilulissat Icefjord, the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea and it is at this point that huge icebergs break off every year. One of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere, the icebergs that detach from the glacier are enormous and float for years in the waters in front of the fjord and then are sometimes carried south by ocean currents.

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Evighedsfjord , meaning the ‘Fjord of Eternity’, is known as the most beautiful fjord in all of Greenland. Fed by an ice cap that calves huge icebergs into its 2,300 ft deep waters, it’s sur- rounded by mist-covered mountains dotted with crystal blue ice caves. The only settlements in this region are tiny fishing hamlets clinging to the shores. Arctic flora and wildlife, including whales and seabirds are plentiful.

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Ittoqqortoormiit , formerly known as Scoresbysund, is located by the approach to the world’s biggest fjord system and slightly more to the north, is the world’s largest national park. With less than 500 inhabitants, visitors are welcomed as the town is isolated, in terms of sailing, from the rest of the world for up to nine months of the year due to pack ice and drift ice from the Greenland Sea and Denmark Strait. Keep an eye out for polar bears on their way in and out of the fjord. The chances of see- ing them there are better than in most other populated places in Greenland.

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Being located at Ilulissat Ice Fjord, Ilulissat is Greenland’s most famous town. It was the first place in Greenland to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inhabited for 4,000 years due to the unique fishing and hunt- ing opportunities created by the Ilulissat Ice Fjord, the fjord is the focal point of your stay in town. The icebergs in the fjord are visible from almost anywhere in the town. It is unbelievably beauti- ful with a wide-range of wildlife, lots of fish, seals, birds, whales and about 2,500 sled dogs!

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The hub city of Kangerlussuaq is the main air transportation gateway to the Greenland ice sheet, impressive glaciers, and arctic wildlife roaming freely in a UNESCO World Heritage listed hinterland protected area. This small airport town has a population of approx. 600 people. Just 40 km from the ice cap, the town offers much more than an airport. There are lush areas to be found in the nearby hinterland. The variety of plants attract muskox and reindeer. In addition, there are arctic fox, snow hare and a variety of bird species. Kangerlussuaq is one of the few places in Greenland where it’s possible to drive right up to the inland ice. The front of the Russel Glacier is a 20-50 meter high wall of ice, which is a photographer’s dream. You might even witness the ice breaking off with a thunderous crash!

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