Greenland- Western

Home to some of the most active glaciers in the world

Information about Greenland- Western

Western Greenland is home to some of the most active glaciers in the Arctic. North of the Arctic Circle, the small town of Kangerlussuaq gives the easiest access to the vast Ice Sheet and is a favorite place to view the Northern Lights. Disko Bay is also good for whale watching.

Polar Bears do occur in western Greenland but are extremely elusive due to the impact of hunting.

The very NE part of Greenland is separated from the rest of western Greenland by the ice sheet and, in the winter, is joined to Ellesmere Island by the sea ice. This means the area shares a lot more with the Canadian Arctic and the associated wildlife.

Breathtaking coastal scenery, huge icebergs, and an abundance of wildlife make this part of Greenland well worth a visit on your Arctic cruise.

Interesting facts about Greenland- Western

Our expert guide says: “The Ilulissat Ice Fjord is a must-see here. The glacier is one of the most active in the world, sometimes moving over 30m (100ft) per day. This results in frequent calving events, and the resulting icebergs float unhindered towards the nearby town thanks to the fjord’s great depth (over 1,600ft or 500m).

Pictures of Greenland- Western

Highlights in Greenland- Western

Thule & Qannaq

Thule and the town of Qannaq are in the far northwest corner of Greenland on Inglefield fjord.

The fact there is a US military base here just shows how close it is to North America. Ellesmere Island, and the Canadian Arctic, is just across Smith Sound.

Cape York

In northwest Greenland in Melville Bay, the ice sheet comes right down to the coast, separating the very northwest part of Greenland from the rest of western Greenland.

Cape York is one of the first locations on this northwest coast that has tundra and lakes to explore. The mountains and icebergs match this remote location that, in many ways, has far more of a link with the Canadian Arctic, rather than Greenland.

It is one of the most important locations in NW Greenland for breeding seabirds and it can be good for marine mammals. Including traditional hunting ground, whalers and explorers have also visited the area, and the family of Admiral Robert Peary's family placed a monument in honour of his explorations on the cape.

Nice area to explore the tundra and enjoy the magnificent views.

Ilulissat & Disko Bay

One of the key highlights in Greenland with the chance to witness Ilulissat Kangerlua, one of the most active glaciers in the World. Either overlooking the iceberg choked fjord from a viewpoint on a short walk from town, or Zodiac cruising the outer fjord past a ‘wall’ of huge icebergs jumbled together. The walks across the tundra to the viewpoint can be a chance to see various Arctic birds whilst there is the chance to experience of life in town and the busy fishing port. There is also the chance of whale watching in Disko Bay.

Karrat Fjord and Upernavik

Karrat Fjord, towards the north end of the Uummannaq Bay system, is a great fjord to explore with icebergs, rugged mountains, blue fjords, with the chance to walk on the tundra and look for wildlife. Various species can be seen but others can be elusive due to the proximity of Upernavik.

Upernavik, on the island of the same name, is a very pretty town on the slopes of the island, surrounded by magnificent scenery, at the entrance to the local fjord systems. As well as the colourful houses there is the most northerly 'open air' museum in the World. It also boasts to have the World's largest bird cliffs nearby.

There are a a few settlements further north before the ice sheet comes right down to the coast in Melville Bay between western Greenland and the very NW tip and Thule.

Uummannaq

Town on small island of the same name with a prominent peak at the entrance of Uummannaq Fjord.

Photogenic location for the town, the largest north of Ilulissat, with a museum and the chance to experience a Greenland community. The fjords great for the scenery and icebergs and whale watching. In the region is Qilakitsaq, where there is a site with Innuit burial remains.

Rypefjord to end up in front at Eielson Glacier

Eqi Glacier

“The calving glacier”– is about 50 miles north of Ilulissat. It is also a location to get onto the ice sheet, and for vessels to get closer to a carving glacier. Also good for whales.

Etah

At the very northern end of Baffin Bay and the very northwest of Greenland, Etah looks across the Nares Strait to Ellesmere Island, the area usually frozen from October to July.

The area was the crossing point to Greenland for cultures 4,400 and 2,700 years ago, the Thule culture migrants less than a thousand years ago, and the point of the last migration of the Inuit from Baffin Island reached the coast of Greenland in 1865 Etah was also a starting point for various expeditions attempting to get to the North Pole.

Today the channel, when frozen, continues to be a crossing point for wildlife from Canada to Greenland, even Wolverine get across. Etah used to be the most-northerly populated settlement in the world, but it was abandoned (Inuit moving south to Pituffik) due to the harsh conditions.

High mountains separate Itilleq, Greenland, from Kangerlussuaq Fjord.

Sissiut and Itilleq

Near the mouth of Kangerlussuaq fjord is the larger town of Sissiut (2nd largest after Nuuk). Further south is the small and traditional village of Itilleq with good mountains and tundra nearby.

Kangerlussuaq

North of the Arctic Circle and deep in the long Kangerlussuaq fjord, it was the site of a WWII airport, then for refuelling for trans-continental flights.

The airport and the fjord are used as pick-up and drop off for cruise ships exploring the remoter parts of west Greenland. There are few roads in Greenland, but a 25 km dirt road connects the town with the mighty ice cap. Nowhere else is there easier access to the Greenland ice cap. Area also good for caribou, Musk Ox (actually introduced to this part of Greenland), and to look out for White-tailed Eagles.