Scoresbysund Sailing Cruise
This adventure brings us in just 2 hours from Keflavík to the biggest fjord in the world – Scoresby Sound. Join the sturdy schooners Opal or Donna Wood for an amazing expedition where you explore the magnificent nature of Scoresby Sound fjord. The fjord extends 350 km inland and offers spectacular scenery, arctic wildlife and great icebergs.
Rough summary
Day 1:
Flight Reykjavik - Constable Point - Ittoqqortoormiit
Day 2:
Hekla Havn
Day 3:
Føhnfjord - Rødefjord - Harefjord
Day 4:
Hiking around Harefjord
Day 5:
Øfjord - Jyttes Havn
Day 6:
Jytteshavn
Day 7:
Back to Constable Point
Day 8:
Flight Constable Point - Reykjavik
Prices and dates
Price per person:
2023: 6.400 EUR
2024: 6.800 EUR
Dates:
July 26, 2023 – August 02, 2023 (fully booked)
August 02, 2023 – August 09, 2023 (fully booked)
August 09, 2023 – August 16, 2023 (fully booked)
August 16, 2023 – August 23, 2023 (fully booked)
August 23, 2023 – August 30, 2023 (available)
August 30, 2023 – September 06, 2023 (fully booked)
September 06, 2023 – September 13, 2023 (fully booked)
September 13, 2023 – September 20, 2023 (available)
July 24, 2024 – July 31, 2024 (available)
July 31, 2024 – August 07, 2024 (available)
September 04, 2024 – September 11, 2024 (available)
Further details
Price includes:
- international flight Reykjavik - Constable Point - Reykjavik
- return transport between airport and harbour in Constable Point
- accommodation in made up bunk/beds with shared facilities and all meals on board the schooner
- soft drinks
- services of the crew
- hiking excursions (as per itinerary) and arrangements
- a dinner in Ittoqqortoormiit
Min / max participants:
1 / 12
Minimum age:
16 years
Remarks:
The following is not included in the price: excess baggage charges, laundry charges and personal items, alcoholic beverages (available for extra charge & to be paid upon departure in cash)
Sailing ship Donna Wood
Representing Danish shipbuilding tradition at its very best Donna Wood was originally built as a lighthouse ship but in 1990 the ship underwent massive restoration and was equipped with rigging and sails. Donna Wood is a roomy ship with a deck saloon seating 24 and ample space below deck comfortably accommodating 12 people in 7 cabins equipped with washbasins and closets. The hallway features spacious shared shower facilities and toilets.
Sailing ship Opal
Built at the Bodenwerft in Damgarten, Germany in 1951, she served as a trawler in the Baltic- and North Sea and in the Barents Sea. In 1973 new owners started her restoration. During 8 years until 1981, Opal was converted to the elegant but seaworthy, two masted schooner she is today. She has sailed all over the world, completing several trans-Atlantic crossings, being carefully maintained through the years. Opal has remained with the same owners, until becoming part of the fleet in early 2013. She has undergone restoration and had interior work done to better fit her for the new purpose as an expedition ship. The Opal has six double/twin cabins plus crew facilities. She has three bathrooms, two showers. She comfortably fits 12 passengers, plus her crew.
Flight connections
Flights to Greenland from Iceland are included.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik - Constable point - Ittoqqortoormiit
We fly from the Domestic Airport in Reykjavik to Constable Point in Greenland. Constable Point is a small airfield on the west side of Hurry Inlet in Jameson Land. We embark and get an introduction and a safety briefing by the crew and then sail towards the village of Ittoqqortoormiit. We spend the evening with locals in Ittiqqotoormiit, which is probably the most isolated village in the world. Ittoqqortoormiit was founded in the 1925s by people from Ammassalik. It is the northern most settlement on the east coast of Greenland. The 450 inhabitants make their living mostly by subsistence hunting of seals, narwhales, muskoxen and polar bears. The quaint little houses dot the rocky slopes of south Liverpool Land with magnificent views of Kap Brewster and the Volquart Boons Coast to the south.
Day 2: Sailing in Scoresbysund - Hekla Havn
Sail west between whole palaces of icebergs that gently drift under the influence of the currents in the Arctic waters in the mighty fjord of Scoresbysund, after calving from the parent glaciers originating in the Inland Ice. Anchor at Hekla Havn, on Denmark Ø, the site of an old Inuit settlement and wintering camp of the first scientific expedition to Scoresbysund over a hundred years ago. A short evening walk exploring Hekla Havn, and the surrounding area.
Day 3: Sailing - Føhnfjord/ Rødefjord/ Harefjord
Sail west through the narrow Føhnfjord with the majestic basalt mountains of Gåseland on the port side and 2000 metres high sheer granite cliffs of Milne Land on the Starboard side. After being up close to the peculiar looking Red Island and even landfall at the red sandstone shore the tour continues to the north through Rødefjord which is often filled with both larger icebergs and ice crust from icebergs that are breaking up. We will arrive in Harefjord in the late afternoon where anchors are set for two nights.
Day 4: Hiking around Harefjord
The whole day is spent ashore in Harefjord scouting for muskoxen, snow hares, grouse, geese and other wildlife, which normally graze on the south facing slopes. Between 6 and 7 hours of easy to moderate hiking with a lunch break at the top of a ridge with a breath taking view over Harefjord where the glacier tongues descend into the sea. Those who prefer less exercise can stroll at the coast or stay on board enjoying the view. In the evening the crew will make a bonfire and prepare BBQ at the rocky beach.
Day 5: Sailing - Øfjord/Jyttes Havn
The sailing continues eastwards through the awesome Øfjord. This is one of the most spectacular parts of the trip. Terrific mountain peaks and granite walls tower 200 meters up from the sea just like if the Cerro Torre (one of the majestic mountains of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in South America) and Fitzroy river (in Queensland, Australia) has been moved to the Arctic: A true feast for the eyes. Usually the sea breeze in the Øfjord during the middle of the day allows sails to be set. Close look at some of the most amazing cliffs and a glacier front. This day ends by setting anchors in Jyttes Havn Bjørneøe in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Hiking around Jytteshavn
The day is spent hiking in and around Jytteshavn in Bear Islands as this is possibly one of the nicest and most picturesque anchorages in Scoresby Sound. There are two options of a longer or shorter hike in the Bear Islands, or on the northernmost tip of Milneland, a short zodiac ride away. Jytteshavn is the place to try your skills at sea swimming at 71°N and temperatures can be as surprising as 13°C in the summertime. In the evening we offer a nice meal on board and then a cosy bonfire on the beach with story telling or singing.
Day 7: Sailing - Back to Constable point
We sailing though the channel between the Bear Islands and Milne land with a breathtaking view of the spectacular archipelago. As we sail into the last evening and night of the trip, it is likely that we will see some of the largest and most fascinating icebergs of the journey and have a fantastic opportunity to photograph these frozen giants. When we wake up the next morning we will have anchored at the airstrip in Constable Point.
Day 8: Sailing - Constable Point - Reykjavik
The last morning we will enjoy a good breakfast together, write in the diary on board and share contact information with each other. Then we will disembark the schooner for the last time and board the aircraft in Constable Point and fly back to Reykjavik Domestic Airport.
Remark
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, thus we cannot guarantee that you will see them during your trip. However, if you are traveling in Greenland from end of August to end of March, chances are good that you will be able to observe them, but best deep in the winter (from mid November to mid March). If you travel in April it is unlikely to see the Northern Lights as days are already too bright.
What our customers say
The guide, crew and food were all very professional
The voyage through Scoresby exceeded all my expectations. The guide, crew and food were all very professional, and we were able to experience all that Greenland had to offer, including Northern Lights!
All adventure trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Greenland Tours does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realise that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.