Nuuk Fjord Cruise with Greenlandic Picnic and Local Stories

Nuuk harbour, the start of the cruise

Nuuk is the capital of Greenland and its oldest town, founded in 1728 on a rocky peninsula at the mouth of a vast fjord. Today nearly 20,000 people live here, about a third of Greenland's population, in a mix of colourful wooden houses, modern apartment blocks and striking new buildings. The old colonial harbour, with its historic houses and the national museum, is the most charming part of town and a pleasant place for a walk before or after your trip.

The cruise begins at the Tide Water Steps near the harbour, where you meet your guide about 10 minutes before departure. If you arrive by cruise ship, the meeting point is only a short walk from the port area. As the boat leaves the harbour, you get a fine view back to the city and the mountains behind it, and your guide begins to tell the story of Nuuk and of the people who have lived along this coast for centuries.

Nuuk Fjord, one of the largest fjord systems on earth

Nuup Kangerlua, the Nuuk Fjord, reaches more than 100 kilometres inland from the open sea towards the edge of the Greenland ice sheet, splitting into branches between steep granite mountains. Its deep, dark water mirrors the cliffs, and glaciers far inland send icebergs drifting down towards the coast. Waterfalls tumble from the slopes, especially in early summer when the snow melts.

A Nuuk boat tour is the best way to understand the scale of this landscape, which is hard to grasp from the city. On this 3.5-hour fjord tour you travel away from the crowds into quiet channels between remote islands, where the only sounds are the water and the seabirds. Icebergs are seen in many months but are never guaranteed, and the light changes all the time, from sharp blue days to soft misty afternoons. Dress warmly, as the air on the water is cold even in summer.

Sermitsiaq Mountain and the islands of the fjord

Rising straight out of the fjord about 15 kilometres north-east of Nuuk, Sermitsiaq is the city's most famous landmark, a massive mountain about 1,210 metres high with a distinctive saddle-shaped summit. It stands on an island of the same name and can be seen from almost everywhere in town, and its silhouette has become a symbol of Nuuk and of Greenland.

From the boat you see the mountain's sheer dark walls up close, with patches of snow and ice clinging to the rock. Around it, low rocky islands smoothed by ancient glaciers are scattered across the water. When conditions allow, the trip includes a short walk on rocky ground, for example at Kangeq, a former settlement at the mouth of the fjord where a few old houses still stand. The terrain there is uneven, so the cruise is not suitable for travellers with limited mobility.

Greenlandic picnic, local stories and wildlife

Part of what makes this fjord cruise special is the time spent with a local guide. As you travel, you hear authentic stories about Greenlandic culture, traditions and everyday life today, from hunting and fishing to language, music and the changing seasons. A Greenlandic picnic is served on board or ashore, with a selection of locally inspired delicacies drawn from a cuisine built on fish, seafood, game and wild berries, served with water, tea and coffee.

Keep your camera ready for wildlife: seals often surface near the boat, seabirds nest on the cliffs, and in summer and autumn humpback whales sometimes feed in the fjord, although sightings are never guaranteed. The best time for this Nuuk fjord tour is from late spring to early autumn, when the days are long and the weather is milder, but every season has its own beauty. Bring warm clothing, a jacket, gloves and waterproof shoes.