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  • Boat sailing on a late autumn day in the Nuuk fjord in Greenland. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson

Winter Sailing

In warmth and good company, cruise through mountainous landscapes covered with snow from peak to sea

Surprisingly enough, you don’t have to be on a huge icebreaker to get out on the water in winter. Much of Greenland has fjords and seas that never freeze over, opening the possibilities to sail in small and cosy closed boats all year long.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: Round trip & hiking. 10 days

Blue Ice Explorer

Round trip & hiking. 10 days

A cocktail that includes all of the highlights of South Greenland.

FROM €1,179
Disko Line: Whale Safari

Disko Line

Whale Safari

Take a whale safari in Disko Bay and have a unique experience.

FROM €160
Greenland Travel: Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Greenland Travel

Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Sail on Ilulissat Ice Fjord and see the icebergs. Go dogsledding. See northern lights. Walk the Ice Cap. Go explore! Greenland is waiting

FROM €2,095
Greenland by Topas – Dog Sledding, Igloo Lodge and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Greenland by Topas

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Sled dogs are in their element under the frosty sky, crackling snow and fluttering Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of the Greenlandic winter. Overnight stay in Igloo Lodge.

FROM €2,812
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But why?

Why on Earth would anyone want to go sailing in winter? It is exhilarating!, is the short answer. The crisp air catching in your nostrils. Witnessing that low-hanging sun exude a special end-of-the-year light, giving cue to the top half of the world that it is time to slow down. Winter is mysterious and gorgeous at the same time, and it is truly Greenland’s forté.

Not everyone wants to clip on snowshoes or skis to immerse in a winter wonderland. For many, it is more than enough just to look at the cold landscape from a distance, and that is precisely why winter sailing is so perfect.

Tips

  • Winter sailing is possible in any region that has open water during the winter. This includes South Greenland, the Capital Region and Destination Arctic Circle.

  • Warm clothes and accessories, plus sturdy shoes, are a must.

  • Gloves with a touch tip come in handy if you want to photograph with a smartphone without getting cold hands.

Coffee cabin

The joy of sailing in a closed boat in winter is that you never have to get that cold. Inside the cabin, the heat is turned up and warm drinks flow. The captain or his/her guide switch between historical facts about the area and personal stories from last summer or childhood. And they always eagerly point out an Arctic fox or eagle when they spot them.

When you see a picture-worthy scene you simply must capture, take on your warm coat, tie your scarf tight and pop out to the deck for a few minutes. Your seat will be waiting for you.

Who sails in winter

In South Greenland, Blue Ice Explorer offers boat tours to nearby glaciers and the Norse ruins, part of Greenland’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not to mention, if you travel between Narsarsuaq and any of the other towns in the area, transport by boat is one of Disko Line’s choices.

In the capital, local tour operators like Kang Tourism, Martek APS, Nuuk Water Taxi and Tupilak Travel keep their boats primed to sail to any of the four neighboring fjords, five weekend huts and two abandoned settlements. Whether it is a few hours of freedom or a full-blown cosy getaway you’re looking for, they have you covered.

Local providers

Tasermiut Camp - Nanortalik

Nanortalik, Mathiessenip Aqqutaa B507,
3922,
Phone: +299 266286More information
Tasermiut 3

Tasermiut South Greenland Expeditions

Qassiarsuk, B-873 Qassiarsuk
3923,
Phone: (+299) 522 822More information
Handmade figure. Visit Greenland

Tupilak Travel

Nuuk, Imaneq 18,
3900,
Phone: (+299) 313 218More information
Maniitsoq Tour Boat sailing in sunny weather in Summer. Photo by Mads pihl - Visit Greenland

Maniitsoq Tour Boat

Maniitsoq, Postboks 140
3812,
Phone: +299 52 02 96More information
Fantastic iceberg sculpture. Photo by Nuuk Water Taxi

Nuuk Water Taxi

Nuuk, Imaneq 27 27,
3900,
Phone: +299 38 87 77More information
A tour boat in front of an iceberg wall near Ilulissat in Greenland. By Mads Pihl

Disko Line

Ilulissat, Kussangajaannguaq 13,
3952,
Phone: +299 94 53 01More information
Blue Iceberg. Photo by Blue Ice Explorer

Blue Ice Explorer

Narsarsuaq, Box 58
3923,
Phone: +299 66 54 99 / +299 49 73 71More information
ABC Charter winter boat tour

Arctic Boat Charter - ABC

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

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By Sarah Woodall

Sarah is a former Visit Greenland employee who now continues the adventure as Destination Manager in South Greenland.

https://2kalaallitnunaatigo.wordpress.com/

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