Summary
Exploring The Ilulissat Icefjord In Greenland
After an extraordinary day delving into Disko Island and Eqip Sermia, we awoke to vistas of the breathtaking Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland.
Located approximately 150 nautical miles from Eqip Sermia, the proximity allowed us ample opportunity to explore the Ilulissat region after we anchored.
The Ilulissat Icefjord, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, possesses immense significance. This area serves as a vital contributor to glacial runoff, producing around 4% of the planet’s freshwater. As you might expect, it is rich in ice formations.
What enhances the uniqueness of the Ilulissat area is the presence of a glacial “ledge” or sedimentary deposit which restricts the movement of calving icebergs into the open sea around Disko Bay.
In essence, enormous icebergs find themselves entangled within the lagoon of Ilulissat, resulting in spectacular views of ice formations that seem as massive as mountains—indeed, it is an impressive scene likened to an iceberg traffic jam.
With this knowledge, we boarded a reliable zodiac to take us to the jetty in Ilulissat town.
By Greenlandic standards, Ilulissat is quite a sizable town, though it would be classified as a large village or small town in the contexts of the UK or US.
Visitors can take approximately an hour to wander around Ilulissat, exploring notable landmarks such as the iconic red church while also visiting local shops. These establishments often feature tupilak (artistic figures) or soapstone carvings, both of which make unique mementos from Greenland.
However, it is the Icefjord that remains the main attraction of Ilulissat.
Initially, we intended to reserve a boat tour through the icebergs in Disko Bay via Albatros Expeditions. Unfortunately, we discovered that we had delayed too long and all available spots were fully booked. Consequently, upon our arrival in Ilulissat, we opted for a leisurely walk around the town and visited Ilulissat Adventure.
This organization arranges various tours throughout Ilulissat and Disko Bay, providing a wide spectrum of options. We were fortunate to secure a private RIB tour of the Ilulissat Icefjord on short notice.
The RIB tour, by the way, was phenomenal.
For an exhilarating hour, we navigated through the colossal icebergs, experiencing the isolation of the lagoon; it was a magical, unforgettable experience, and the scenery was absolutely stunning.
As one can observe, the size of the icebergs is truly remarkable, and as such, we maintained a safe distance as we navigated. After all, an iceberg that calves or spins can present significant risks within the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland.
With the sun shining once again, we headed from Ilulissat’s harbor to the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre and the adjacent boardwalk.
The Ilulissat Icefjord Centre is visually striking, but it may not represent the optimal utilization of this splendid location. It features a small café (offering excellent coffee) and a compact exhibition with a nominal fee, but beyond that, it felt somewhat underwhelming.
Conversely, the boardwalk is a must-visit.
The Ilulissat Boardwalk encapsulates the protected ground surrounding the Ilulissat Icefjord, ensuring that the natural environment is preserved while minimizing the environmental impact of visitors. Thus, visitors are required to remain on the boardwalk until reaching the viewpoint overlooking the bay itself.
The stroll along the boardwalk took us approximately 15 minutes, though we savored every moment as we soaked in the breathtaking views along the way. At the culmination of the boardwalk, we ascended the wooden stairs leading to the viewpoint. The vistas were overwhelming—these icebergs were indeed formidable, resembling mountains. It required a reminder that they were composed entirely of ice.
We spent a satisfying 45 minutes at this location, reclined on the rocks as we observed the mesmerizing views of the icebergs anchored within the channel of Disko Bay—an undeniably beautiful sight.
As the day began to draw to a close, we returned to Ilulissat and made our way to the designated pick-up point for our zodiac trip back to the Ocean Albatros. Although the temperature was still chilly (around 8°C), we wrapped ourselves warmly while enjoying a glass of wine with views of Disko Bay.
Before we knew it, it was time to depart the unforgettable Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland. The day had flown by. Thus, we boarded the zodiac for our return to the Ocean Albatros, where our evening meal awaited us at the onboard restaurant.
With satisfied appetites, we retired for the night, anticipating another day filled with adventures in Itilleq.
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