Explore to inspire, a PONANT podcast
PONANT's cruises
Between polar nights and eternal sun
Choosing the right time to explore Greenland is already part of the travel experience. From polar winters to bright summers, PONANT guides you through the best seasons for visiting this land of extremes on the edge of the Far North, between icy landscapes and verdant tundra.
Greenland’s climate
Located within the Arctic Circle, the vast island of Greenland enjoys an Arctic climate marked by two main seasons: a long and icy winter from November to March, which imposes endless nights and sees the pack ice spread across the water, and a short and cool summer from June to August, which features long days bathed in the light of the midnight sun.
Greenland’s climate is also characterised by the contrasts between its regions. Inland, the ice sheet covers 80% of the country, creating a white desert where intense cold – averaging around -30°C – and powerful Arctic winds prevail. The south-west coast, where the majority of towns and villages are located, enjoys milder summer temperatures influenced by the Gulf Stream. The wilder east coast, meanwhile, often remains a prisoner of the ice.
On the east coast of Greenland, nature is wilder than on the west coast. The mountain peaks are more pronounced, the cliffs are dizzyingly high and the shores, bordered by pack ice for most of the year, are subject to powerful polar currents. As a result, it is very sparsely populated and rarely visited.
Vadim Heuacker, PONANT expedition leader
What temperatures should you expect on a trip to Greenland?
The country’s large surface area explains the wide temperature disparities between the various regions.
- Ilulissat, Upernavik: -15°C to -20°C in winter, around +5°C in summer
- Sisimiut region, Nuuk: -8°C to -15°C in winter, +5°C to +10°C in summer (up to +15°C in some sheltered fjords, such as the Kangerlussuaq fjord)
- Ittoqqortoormiit : -15°C to -25°C in winter, around +5°C in summer
- Tasiilaq: -6°C to -12°C in winter, +5°C to +10°C in summer
- Inland (covered by the ice cap) : -30°C to -50°C in winter, -10°C to 0°C in summer
Winter in Greenland: admiring the northern lights and Inuit traditions
From November to February, when the polar night extends over the Arctic zone, it’s not unusual for the sky to stage a host of magical colours. While winter is the best season to observe the aurora borealis in Greenland, it comes with it some challenging conditions. Intense cold and low light levels every day can make travelling less accessible.
To enjoy the enchanting spectacle of this skyward phenomenon, you might prefer the short autumn season between September and October, when daylight hours shorten, or the months of March and April, when winter gradually recedes.
March and April mark the end of winter: the days get longer and temperatures rise slowly, reaching around 0°C depending on the region. This are ideal conditions for embarking on a polar trek on skis or snowshoes, bivouacking on the pack ice accompanied by an Inuit guide or enjoying a dogsled excursion. From January to April, you can try your hand at ice fishing, an icon of the Inuit’s traditional way of life.
Silarsuaq sikullu kisimi naagalavoq
(The only masters are time and ice)
Greenlandic proverb
Summer in Greenland: whale watching, trekking and hiking
Summer is the ideal season for whale watching, as it corresponds to the migratory period of these majestic sea creatures. Humpback whales and rorquals swim up from the Caribbean to feed in the ice-free, fish-rich waters of Greenland. On the west coast, Disko Bay and the Ilulissat Fjord are particularly well suited to spotting whales. Sailing past grandiose landscapes and watching these giants of the seas moving between icebergs is a truly unforgettable experience.
Being lucky enough to see bowhead whales is always an extraordinary moment! Although this legendary species came close to extinction, it is making a comeback, particularly in the northern part of Baffin Bay, which borders the west coast of Greenland.
Vadim Heuacker, PONANT expedition leader
From June to early September, summer transforms the country, particularly its south-west coast. Once the snow melts, the landscapes turn green, revealing the vegetation of the tundra, waterfalls abound on mountainsides and wildlife reemerges. This is the perfect time to explore trails and valleys, discover Arctic flora and visit villages dotted with colourful houses. The ice-free waters also beckon visitors for kayaking expeditions amongst the fjords, icebergs and glaciers, which create a magnificent backdrop.
In Greenland, what is the best season for:
- Whale watching: May to August
- Admiring the northern lights: September to April
- Hiking through lush green landscapes: June to August
- Bivouacking on the ice floes with the Inuit: March or April
Photo and video credits: ©PONANT/Julien Fabro; ©StudioPONANT/Glenn Le Bras; ©Studio PONANT/Servane Roy-Berton
Green tundra or frozen fjords?
Travel to Greenland in summer or winter with PONANT.
