• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Erik Palo Jacobsen, Arctic Boat Charter. Photo by Jonathan Pozniak

Q&A with a Greenlandic sea captain

Captain Erik Palo Jacobsen is a former Merchant Marine from Sisimiut, who has sailed around the world, only to realize that his home in Nuuk is where the heart is.

He has taken foreign ministers, Danish royalty, and even Hillary Clinton sailing around Nuuk Fjord with his company, Arctic Boat Charter. Let’s see where the tides are taking him.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Greenland Tours: Coastal Ship – South & West

Greenland Tours

Coastal Ship - South & West

13 days in the south & west of Greenland incl. 5 days on board Sarfaq Ittuk

FROM €1,385
Tasermiut Expeditions: Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

Tasermiut Expeditions

Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

8 days trip, kayaking and on foot: complete contact with nature, kayaking and hiking activities, discover Viking ruins in South Greenland.

FROM €2,150
Tasermiut Expeditions: Kayak & Hiking 8 days

Tasermiut Expeditions

Kayak & Hiking 8 days

Kayak expedition in total freedom among icebergs & glaciers. Ice-walk, polar fauna, northern lights. Dates: June to Sep. Flight from RKV/CPH

FROM €2,350
Show More

Nuuk Fjord is wonderfully vast – what is your favorite spot?

I have several favorite spots in Nuuk Fjord. It all depends on what activities I’ll be doing. Qooqqut Fjord is definitely my favorite when it comes to deep-sea fishing, hiking and paragliding. During hunting season (for reindeer and ptarmigan, mostly), other places are preferred – for instance the adjacent Ameralik Fjord. Berry picking take places elsewhere, bird watching yet again in other spots, and feeling the presence of history (Inuit and Norse) in several other places as well. There’s even a special spot for those with gold fever.

*Fun Facts:

  • The locals call Narwhale skin “Greenlandic chewing gum”, you just can’t blow bubbles.

  • One of the best spots in Nuuk Fjord is a cliff with the oldest rocks on earth, dating 3.5 billion years young.

  • Icebergs in Nuuk Fjord are up to 50,000 years old.

Weather in Greenland is known for its extremes. Do you have any stories of dangerous sailing in the fjord?

Sailing in Greenland waters has to be done with great respect for the forces of nature. As beautiful, calm and friendly as it feels during summer, autumn and winter sceneries may give you a completely different idea with severe storms, cold temperatures and darkness. The weather may change suddenly, and being in the fjord is being in the complete wilderness where you, at all times, need to be self-sufficient. Dangerous stories of sailing in the fjord always root in inexperience. I guess everything you do – no matter what – is dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. The trick is to always know your capabilities in regards of knowledge, experience, equipment, and of course reading the weather.

Having traversed the globe many times, are there favorite places you’ve sailed in the Merchant Marines?

While sailing the Seven Seas I saw a lot of places from the perspective of a sailor. All places are interesting in one way or the other. You’ll see what you look for. I’m still traveling the world a lot, and I still love it. I go to places that have my interest, and these years I choose destinations with good paragliding. I favor all places – depending on what I’m up to. The Earth is my favorite planet.

Tell us about your boat!

The boat I have is a 37+ Finnish-built Targa named Sterna. It’s a fast, seaworthy, comfortable and custom-built speedboat approved to carry 12 passengers. We take good care of her, and I love sailing it, as it responds beautifully to my commands in any situation. It’s wonderfully maneuverable and meets all kinds of weather in the best way possible. I’ll never get tired of sailing this boat. It takes my guests and myself on wonderful adventures again and again. I love the fjord, and I love showing what I love to people. All the beauty – it’s there for everyone to see.

Local providers

ABC Charter winter boat tour

Arctic Boat Charter - ABC

Nuuk, Boks 1355
3900,
Phone: +299 53 38 80More information

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Boat Tours
  • Capital Region
  • Culture vs Nature
  • Natural Experiences
  • Nuuk
  • Regions
  • Summer
  • Things to do & About
  • Towns & settlements

By Jonathan Pozniak

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Icecampers. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

9 tips for your East Greenlandic adventure

Unlock East Greenland's Travel Tips! Where time slows, nature whispers, and adventure awaits. Anna, a local resident, shares her 9 tips.

  • #Anytime
  • #Arctic Wildlife
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Camping
  • #East Greenland
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Hiking
  • #Hunting
  • #Icebergs
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Midnight Sun
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Weather
  • #Winter
Aurora Cabins 3. Photo by Hotel Arctic

15 Unique places you can overnight in Greenland

Discover Greenland's Diverse Range of Unique Overnight Options: Glass Igloos, Beachfront Stays, Snow Igloos, and Glacier-View Huts.

  • #Accommodation
  • #All Accommodations
  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Camping
  • #Camping
  • #Capital Region
  • #Coastal Ferry
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Destination Arctic Circle
  • #Disko Bay
  • #East Greenland
  • #Glaciers
  • #Hiking
  • #Hostel
  • #Hotel
  • #Icebergs
  • #Igaliku
  • #Ilimanaq
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Ilulissat Icefjord
  • #Kangerlussuaq
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Northern Lights
  • #Nuuk
  • #Other accommodation
  • #Providers
  • #Qeqertarsuaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #South Greenland
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #The Ice Sheet
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
Smiling man on kayak. Photo - Jorgo Kokkinidis, Visit Greenland

Celebrating Our Achievements

We are humbled and thrilled to receive numerous prestigious awards that recognize our commitment to sustainable tourism and responsible travel.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anything
  • #Anytime
  • #In The Spotlight
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson - Drone

Flying drones in Greenland

Greenland Drone Flying Rules: Know the regulations for private and commercial flights based on drone size. Fly responsibly.

  • #Anywhere
  • #Photo tours
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles
Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 20

info@visitgreenland.com
Scroll to top