Boat Trips in Ilulissat

What a boat tour from Ilulissat involves

Boat tours normally leave Ilulissat for the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, then continue into the part of Disko Bay directly off the town. The route is not a fixed circuit with a set list of stops. It depends on where the icebergs are positioned at the time of departure.

Ice moves, and the conditions around individual bergs change. The crew must therefore adjust the route during the trip. Two departures of the same duration can follow different courses even when they leave from the same place. We recommend treating any published route as an outline rather than expecting the boat to reach a particular iceberg or position in the icefjord.

The Ilulissat Icefjord has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Icebergs here can rise more than 150 metres above the waterline, and around a hundred large bergs gather at the fjord mouth in summer. Seeing them from the water gives a different sense of scale from the view on land, but it does not mean the boat will approach them closely. The crew determines a safe distance according to the conditions at the time.

Routing through the ice and into Disko Bay

The amount of ice around the fjord mouth is the practical difference between this outing and a general trip across open water. On some departures, there may be broad passages between the icebergs. On others, the boat has to take a wider course through Disko Bay. Passengers should not expect a straight route towards the icefjord.

The view generally opens up farther into Disko Bay, while the area near the fjord mouth can require more frequent changes of course. This combination defines a boat trip from Ilulissat: leaving the town, navigating among the ice at the mouth, and spending part of the trip on the bay’s more open water.

If photography is your main reason for booking, be prepared for the angle to change throughout the trip. The boat may turn, and smaller pieces of ice can move into the view of a berg you had intended to photograph. We would not plan the outing around one specific image. Keep your camera or phone accessible while you are on the water instead.

How the trip changes by season

In summer, around a hundred large icebergs gather at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord. This does not mean every berg will be visible on every departure, but the concentration of ice is an important part of summer routing. The lighter hours also make it easier to choose between departures at different times of day.

Humpback whales are present in Disko Bay from mid-June to August. A boat trip during this period may include a whale sighting, but it should be treated as a possibility rather than a guarantee. If whales are the main purpose of your trip, our whale safari from Ilulissat is a more specific choice than a standard icefjord tour.

Northern lights can be visible in Greenland from September to April. That does not make every boat departure during those months a northern lights tour. Darkness, clear weather and a suitably timed departure are all necessary. Check the timing and stated focus of the trip rather than assuming that the date alone will provide suitable conditions.

Clothing becomes still more important in the colder months, and summer schedules are not a reliable guide to the departures available at other times of year. Weather, ice and daylight all affect what can be operated. When planning outside summer, we advise against making the boat tour the only activity in a very tight itinerary.

What to wear on cold open water

The temperature in town does not tell you how cold it will feel on the boat. Wind and the boat’s speed make time on deck noticeably colder, particularly when you are standing still to watch or photograph the icebergs. This applies even on days that feel relatively mild in Ilulissat.

Wear warm layers and suitable footwear for cold conditions. Our general Greenland packing list covers clothing layers, shoes and equipment in more detail. Even if warm outerwear is available on a particular tour, arrive with your own cold-weather clothing rather than relying on equipment being provided.

Sunglasses are useful because light reflects from both the water and the ice around the fjord mouth. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before departure and follow the instructions provided for the trip. Disko Bay should not be assumed to be completely calm just because the water near town appears sheltered.

What to bring on board

Pack lightly, but keep essential items within reach. A small bag that closes securely is more practical than leaving loose belongings on deck. Protect phones, cameras and spare batteries from spray and cold. Batteries lose charge faster at low temperatures, so a spare battery or fully charged power bank is useful.

Bring water and, depending on the duration, a small snack. Ask before departure what is available on board rather than assuming that food and drinks are included. The same approach applies to warm outer clothing: some trips may provide it, but you should still arrive properly dressed.

Binoculars can be useful, particularly during the summer months when humpback whales may be present in the bay. They are not necessary for viewing the icebergs. For the ice, the boat’s position and its distance from the bergs matter more than magnification.

Duration, price and choosing a departure

In August 2026, the cheapest published two-hour boat tour in Ilulissat we could find started at 790 DKK, while an open-boat iceberg safari of the same length cost 1,430 DKK. These are observed starting prices, not a fixed rate for every departure. Longer trips, the type of boat and what is included can all affect the total cost. Check both the duration and included services when booking.

A two-hour trip can suit travellers who want to reach the fjord mouth without spending a large part of the day on the water. A longer tour allows more time for the crew to adapt the route and spend time in Disko Bay. It also requires warmer clothing and a greater tolerance for cold and movement on open water.

When comparing options, we would focus on departure time, total duration and the main purpose of the trip. A standard icefjord tour, a longer trip into Disko Bay and a whale safari can cover some of the same water, but they will not necessarily have the same priorities. Choose according to whether your main interest is the icebergs, more time on the water or the possibility of seeing whales.