Discover the whales in Greenlandic waters
Frequently asked about whales in Greenland:
- Whale watching season: The best time to see whales in Greenland is during the summer months (June to August) when many whale species migrate to the rich, nutrient-rich waters. In winter it’s harder to see whales, but the hardy species like narwhals can be present.
- Which whales can be seen in Greenland: Humpback whales, fin whales, pilot whales, narwhals, beluga whales.
- How to get close to the whales: We work with local operators and guides who take whale watching trips into the whale habitat. Contact us and we’ll help organize your trip.
- Where to spot whales in Greenland: Disko Bay, Nuuk, South Greenland, East and Northwest Greenland.
- Whale conservation: Greenland prioritizes sustainable whale watching and marine mammal protection. Tourism activities are often regulated to minimize the impact on wildlife.
- Tips for a great trip: Warm clothes – Even though it’s summer, it can be chilly at sea. Binoculars and a camera. It’s amazing when the surface of the water is broken by the majestic sight of a whale!
Whales at Ilulissat Icefjord. Photo; Enrico Pescantini, Visit Greenland.
Give yourself the gift of meeting the majesty of the sea.
The silence out on the open water, suddenly broken by a huge splash as a humpback whale breaks the surface, is just as amazing – every time! Here in Greenland, from the ice-filled bays of Ilulissat to the peaceful bays of Nuuk, you have the opportunity to experience the whales’ true habitat.
Greenland waters and the whales.
Whales come to Greenland’s waters to take advantage of the nutrient-rich waters that provide them with ideal feeding conditions. The waters are known for their high biological productivity, especially during the summer months when plankton and small fish thrive due to melting ice and longer daylight.
The main reasons why whales head to Greenland.
When the ice melts in spring and summer, nutrients are released into the ocean, creating ideal conditions for plankton. This attracts small fish such as herring, capelin and polar cod, which are the main food sources for whales. Greenland’s seas have mixed currents of cold and warm water (e.g. from the Gulf Stream and the cold East Greenland Current), creating a rich ecosystem. These currents create nutrient blooms and thus food chains that attract the whales.
Whale migration and life cycle.
You can spot whales all year round in Greenland, but they are most likely to be seen during the summer months. This is because the large whale species, such as humpbacks, fin whales and blue whales, are migratory animals. They spend the winter in tropical or temperate waters to breed and return to Arctic areas like Greenland in the summer to feed and build up fat reserves. This pattern is a natural part of the whale life cycle and ensures the survival of both adult whales and their young.
Seeing a whale at sea level from the shore in Nuuk is magical for me every time – Emilie, traveler with Travel by Heart – Greenland.
Want to experience the whales up close during your visit to Greenland?
Send us an email and we’ll help make it happen.
