The Nuuk fjord system runs roughly 180 kilometres inland from the coast, making it the second largest fjord system in the world. The fjord hosts abandoned settlements, active fishing spots, and glacier fronts. Whales move through here from June onwards, and icebergs drift down from the glaciers to the north most of the year.
Nuuk sits at the mouth of one of the world's great fjord systems — around 180 kilometres of connected waterways stretching from the open Labrador Sea to the edge of the ice sheet. The city has around 19,000 people. The fjord starts minutes from the harbour.
The inner fjord is fed by several glaciers, including Kangiata Nunata Sermia, which calves icebergs into the water year-round. The outer fjord is quieter, shallower in places, and home to most of the settlements — abandoned and active — that still dot the shoreline.
Fishing has always defined how people use this fjord. The communities here — Nuuk, Kapisillit, Qoornoq — grew up around halibut, cod, and Arctic char. That's still what shapes the seasons.
The fjord has two distinct characters. Summer brings open water, long daylight, and whales from June through October. Winter narrows the navigable area but opens up the landscape — snow on the fjord walls, ice in the sheltered bays, low flat light. We run trips in both seasons, and the experience is different enough that it's worth thinking about which one you're after.
Nuuk sits right at the entrance to Nuup Kangerlua, one of the world's largest fjord systems. The wild backcountry begins minutes from the city.
The immense backcountry around Nuuk Fjord offers endless ways to explore, from hiking and fishing to wildlife and northern lights.
Most trips leave from the tidal stairs. Qoornoq is a few hours out; Kapisillit is deeper into the system, near the head of the Ameralik arm. For those who want to go further, we offer multi-day expeditions — a cabin retreat at Qooqqut, a few nights at Camp Itivi in the Icefjord, or a fly fishing expedition to Camp Isua in the Kangerluarsussuaq fjord. Get in touch and we'll match the trip to what you're after.
Nuuk is the starting point for every trip into the fjord system. Our boats leave from the tidal stairs, just across from the cruise terminal, a short walk from the city centre. From the water, the coloured houses spread across the hillside in one go — the kind of view of Nuuk you can't get from inside it.
The city has around 19,000 people and connects to Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and New York by direct flight. There are hotels, restaurants, and a national museum worth a half-day. Most people give Nuuk a day. It's worth more than that.
There are no roads into the fjord interior. Everything runs by boat or helicopter, and the tidal stairs are where it all starts.
Kapisillit sits near the head of the Ameralik arm, deep inside Nuup Kangerlua and a few hours by boat from Nuuk. It is the only permanent settlement in the fjord system, home to a small Greenlandic community living much as they always have. The name means "salmon," a nod to the river that draws anglers here. Around it lie some of the fjord's finest waters for Arctic char, making it a natural base for fly fishing and a quiet glimpse of fjord life far from the city.
A few hours out from Nuuk, Qoornoq is a former fishing settlement set on a small island in the fjord. Once a busy community, it now stands empty, its coloured houses kept as summer cabins and a still, atmospheric reminder of fjord life in another era. Stepping ashore here is one of the most evocative stops in Nuup Kangerlua, with Arctic silence, cultural history and untouched landscape all in one place. It makes a memorable destination on a boat tour into the fjord.
Nuuk Fjord changes completely through the year. Summer, from June to August, brings the midnight sun, calm sailing and humpbacks returning to feed, ideal for boat tours, hiking and fly fishing. Autumn cools fast and the first northern lights appear by late September. Winter, from roughly November to April, is the season of snow-covered peaks, aurora over the fjord and crisp, clear days on the water. Each season opens up a different side of the fjord, so the best time to visit depends on what you want to experience.
Nuuk is easy to reach by air, with direct flights from Copenhagen, Reykjavik and, in summer, New York landing at the city's international airport. From there, everything in the fjord runs by boat or helicopter, as there are no roads into the interior. Our tours leave from the tidal stairs in the centre of Nuuk, a short walk from the cruise terminal, so your journey into Nuup Kangerlua begins just minutes from town.
Beyond Nuuk lies a maze of deep waterways, towering peaks and quiet bays that stretch far inland. Glide past calving glaciers and drifting ice, watch for whales surfacing in the cold blue water, and step ashore where only a handful of travellers ever set foot. Whether you have a few hours or several days, our local guides shape the journey around what you want to see, at the pace that suits you.
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What our guests say:
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Everything you need to know before exploring Nuuk Fjord, from when to go to how you get out on the water. If you can't find your answer here, feel free to reach out to us anytime.
Plenty. Nuuk Fjord (Nuup Kangerlua) is one of the largest fjord systems in the world, with room for boat tours, whale watching, fly fishing for Arctic char, hiking, northern lights in winter and visits to remote settlements. Most trips run by boat from the centre of Nuuk, and our local guides can combine activities into a single day out or a multi-day expedition.
By boat, and for the most remote corners, by helicopter. There are no roads into the fjord interior, so the water is the way in. Our tours depart from the tidal stairs in central Nuuk, a short walk from the cruise terminal, where you board and head straight out into the fjord.
It depends on what you want. Summer (June to August) brings the midnight sun, calm sailing and returning humpback whales. Autumn cools quickly and the first northern lights appear by late September. Winter (roughly November to April) offers snow-covered peaks and aurora over the fjord. Each season shows a different side of Nuup Kangerlua.
Yes, especially in summer. Humpback whales return to Nuuk Fjord each year to feed, and minke and fin whales are seen too. Sightings are never guaranteed in the wild, but the warmer months offer the best chances, often with whales surfacing close to the boat against a backdrop of mountains and ice.
Most are. Boat tours and sightseeing are relaxed and suit all ages and fitness levels, while longer hikes and multi-day expeditions ask for a bit more. Tell us who is travelling and what you are hoping for, and we will match the pace and the activities to your group.
Often, yes. Our departure point at the tidal stairs is right by the cruise terminal, so a short fjord tour fits neatly into a port call. Send us your ship's schedule and we will recommend an option that gets you back aboard in good time.
Dress in warm layers with a windproof and waterproof outer layer, even in summer, as the air off the water stays cold. Bring a hat, gloves, sturdy footwear, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a camera for the whales, glaciers and coloured houses of Nuuk from the water. Your guide will brief you fully before departure.
Tell us what draws you to the fjord, whales surfacing in summer, glaciers and quiet bays, fly fishing for Arctic char or aurora over the water in winter, and we'll shape a journey around it. Local guides, your pace, and the kind of Arctic days you'll remember for life.
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