Ilulissat

Ilulissat

Beautifully situated in the the Disko Bay close to the gigantic icebergs from the world's most productive glacier we find in Ilulissat, North Greenland's largest town. Ilulissat is where ancient and modern Greenland meet in the most harmonic way. 5000 sledge dogs, and two modern fish factories provide employment for the population. A landing strip runs alongside the old sledge track to Thule. Whether you visit Ilulissat in March when the temperature is minus 30° C below zero (22°F) or in July when it might rise to 17°C (63°F)in the shade you will find an abundance af activities to enjoy - perhaps a sledge trip to one of our nearby villages? Or a boat trip in the unique light of the midnight sun. Greenland tends to enter the soul, and many of our guests come back year after year. Up here the sky is high and the scenery varies from quiet evenings at the edge of a lake to the thunder of "calving" icebergs.

Attractions

The Ilulissat Ice fiord (Kangia in Inuit) is a true wonder of Nature. The icebergs are produced by one of the largest and fastest moving glaciers in the world, The Sermeq Kullajeq. The glacier moves c. 7 km pr year (19 meters pr day) and produces c. 35 km3 of calf ice pr year. The calving occurs during relatively few events in the summer. Huge tabular icebergs loosens and sometimes breaks up in smaller parts creating up to 700 meter high icebergs (10-12% above water). During the next 12-15 months the icebergs slowly drifts towards the mouth of the icefiord. Here an old moraine deposit has created a bank with a depth of 200-225 m. As a result the larger icebergs get stranded here, until more big icebergs from behind push them over the bank. This is why in there is always a large amount of huge icebergs right next to Ilulissat town.

Shopping

The shops has a wide variety of articles. From postcards, posters, videotapes, to maps, handicraft products and a number of different sealskin products.

Currency

Currency in Iceland: Icelandic krona (ISK)

Weather Forecast

Sailing Calendar

Click to view sailings.