Sarfaq Ittuk ferry

Although the Sarfaq Ittuk Ferry has 12 stops along its journey, there are 3 main access points for travelers coming from abroad. 

If you want to complete the entire journey, you should fly into either Ilulissat in the North or Narsarsuaq in the South. Air Greenland offers flights to both destinations during the summer from Copenhagen and Reykjavik, and Icelandair does the same from Reykjavik. On days where there are no direct flights, you can reach either of these destinations with Air Greenland via Kangerlussuaq (from Denmark), or fly to Nuuk with Icelandair and take a domestic Air Greenland flight from there. 

If you choose to fly into Narsarsuaq in South Greenland, you will then need to get yourself from there to either Qaqortoq or Narsaq in order to catch the ferry (Narsarsuaq is not on the ferry route). This can be arranged as a helicopter flight with Air Greenland, or as a boat trip with Disko Line or Blue Ice Explorer.

For those who only have time to complete half the journey, you will either start or end your trip in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital city. Both Air Greenland and Icelandair have direct flights to Nuuk from Reykjavik, and Air Greenland offers year-round flights from Denmark via Kangerlussuaq.

If you are already in Greenland, Air Greenland offers domestic flights to many of the towns along the ferry route. Check their schedule to see all the different options. It is also possible to reach some of the ferry ports by boat, if you are already in the area. Disko Line runs transfers between Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuaq and Aasiaat in the Disko Bay area, and both Disko Line and Blue Ice Explorer run transfers to Qaqortoq or Narsaq in the South.

Sarfaq Ittuk is a coastal ferry, which means it spends at least some part of its journey in the open ocean. Although the shore of Greenland is never far away, you will still be rocked by ocean swells, or worse if the weather is bad. It is therefore essential to come prepared with your choice of sea sickness management.

Sea sickness is a form of motion sickness. It arises when your senses get confused – in particular, your body and inner ear feel the motion of the boat but your eyes tell you that things are stationary. Some people are more susceptible than others and if you aren’t sure how your body will respond, it is best to come prepared. There is nothing worse than spending most of your ferry trip lying down on your bed feeling nauseous!

One of the most popular ways to mitigate sea sickness is with a pressure-point wristband. If you don’t already own one, this drug-free method is sold on board Sarfaq Ittuk, as are tablets that can help with the nausea. A third method involves a patch that is placed behind the ear and left there for several days. If you would like to use this method, you will need to purchase them before coming to Greenland. 

If you do feel nauseous, stop reading/writing/focusing on something close, and just stare out at the horizon. After all, it is the scenery you came for, isn’t it? If that doesn’t do the trick, the best remedy is to go and lie down and close your eyes until the ocean becomes calmer.

The journey on Sarfaq Ittuk is a highlight in itself. The intimacy of the ferry and the ease with which you can meet locals and connect with other travelers is a unique experience that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. And although the scenery along the entire route is wonderful, some particular highlights include:

There are 3 main common areas on the Sarfaq Ittuk ferry.

Café Sarfaq is the social hub of the ship. It is where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, or you can purchase snacks and drinks throughout the day. You will often find loads of people here talking, playing cards or other games (the ship has several board games available in the café), reading (the café also has newspapers in Danish and Greenlandic), writing, and just hanging out. This is particularly true if the weather is not great, and makes it a fantastic place to meet people during your voyage. Note: you may only consume food and drink purchased on board in the Café.

The aft lounge is much smaller than the Café with booth-like seats where people are usually found engaged in quieter pastimes. It is the perfect reflective space that offers a wonderful view of the area through which you’ve just traveled, and there is even a massage chair if you really want to unwind.

Access to the on-board cinema is also through the aft lounge. The ship has an entertainment system with a small number of movies available, and the plush seats and darkened room are designed to give a real movie experience. However, if you would prefer to watch a different film, or a film at a different time, you can connect your personal device to the entertainment system from the aft common room and Sarfaq Café. You can also access the on-board Wi-Fi (for an extra charge) from these two areas.

The outside decks are a highlight of the ship and offer the very best views of Greenland’s incredible natural beauty. There are benches and deck chairs available for when the weather is fine, but remember to rug up! Even on the calmest day, the breeze generated by the moving ship can be very chilly. And don’t forget the sunscreen. The arctic sun can be quite strong despite the brisk air. 

Even if the weather is not sunny, it is worthwhile venturing out onto the decks from time to time for fresh air and to drink in the surroundings. Look for areas behind a bulkhead or other obstacle to escape the worst of the wind.

Note: the outside decks also do double duty as smoking areas. 

In addition to these main common areas, for those traveling with children, the ship also offers a small children’s play area down on Deck 2.

You can see a detailed map of the whole ship here.

Depending on where you board and where you will disembark, several meal times may pass on the ship. Guests have a few options when it comes to eating during the voyage.

Pre-purchased meal vouchers from Café Sarfaq. These are added at the time of booking and provide guests with 3 significant meals per day. Breakfast is from 7am – 9am and includes bread, cheese, processed meats, cereals, yoghurt, coffee/tea and juice. Lunch is from 12pm – 1pm and is generally a choice of one of two hot meals. Dinner is served from 6pm – 7pm and consists of another hot meal with either an entrée or dessert. All meals are eaten in Café Sarfaq and are a wonderful opportunity to sit down opposite someone you haven’t met and get to know them.

If you would prefer to take things as they come rather than ordering in advance, meals can also be purchased on the spot at the Café. Bear in mind that this is slightly more expensive than pre-booking your meals, though. Credit cards are welcome.

One of the unique things about undertaking the complete journey on Sarfaq Ittuk from North to South or vice versa, is the diversity of the landscape through which you pass. From the rolling hills of sheep farms in the South, to the beautiful Nuuk Fjord that hosts Greenland’s capital city and the iconic Sermitsiaq Mountain, to the craggy untamed wilderness around Maniitsoq, to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Listed Ilulissat Icefjord – it is thousands of kilometres of changing landscapes.

Seabirds are your constant companions as you make your way along the coastline and, if you are lucky, you may also be joined by seals and whales for parts of the journey. Icebergs (including some quite large ones) are also a feature of this particular sea voyage and are found all along the route. Don’t worry though – Sarfaq Ittuk is designed for the Arctic environment and the captain has sophisticated radar systems that clearly show these obstacles. 

Insider tip: If the opportunity arises, definitely try to visit the bridge at some point during the voyage. The view from there is amazing, and the pilot is often very happy to chat and explain all the different instruments that help ensure a safe journey. If the door is open (outer deck, level 3) and the chain is not pulled across, simply knock and ask politely if it is possible to visit briefly.

Sarfaq Ittuk is a passenger ferry, not a cruise ship, so most of the port stops are short and functional. While it is possible to leave the ship for a very short sprint around Maniitsoq (30min), the main ports where it is possible to leave the ship for a short exploration are: Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Sisimiut and Ilulissat. We definitely encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity!

For international tourists, there is an opportunity to slow down and travel like the locals. It’s usually less costly than flying, and it also provides an opportunity to see areas of Greenland that are otherwise difficult to access.

On the journey, seabirds follow the ship and if you travel at the right time of year, there is also the possibility of spotting seals and whales along the way.

It’s one of the best opportunities for experiences when traveling to West or South Greenland.

See the list of stops along the route below.