Summer (Jun – Aug)
The (relatively) warm days of summer are peak season for visitors to Greenland.
The snow has melted (mostly), the wildflowers are in bloom, the rivers are running, and the midnight sun shines endlessly above. Just remember to bring insect repellent and a head net as this is also peak time for the infamous arctic mosquitoes!
This is the season for hiking. And with Greenland’s largest network of hiking trails (including the internationally known Arctic Circle Trail), Destination Arctic Circle is the place to explore on foot. Kangerlussuaq, Maniitsoq, and Sisimiut all have several day-hikes available and these range from easy strolls up gravel roads to more challenging hikes to mountain summits. It is also possible to forage for berries, mushrooms, and local herbs during late summer as either a snack or to liven up your evening meals.
For a more relaxed adventure, follow the lead of the locals and sail the Arctic Circle region. A wide range of boat tours allow you to visit smaller settlements (functioning and abandoned), visit UNESCO sites, and contemplate life in front of glaciers. There are also specific whale watching excursions. If you’d prefer to get some exercise on the water, take up one of the many kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding opportunities.
Summer is also the time to fish. You can either head out on an ocean fishing trip where catches include Atlantic Cod, Atlantic Redfish, wolffish, and halibut, or test your skill in landing the prized Arctic Char in pristine rivers around Maniitsoq and Sisimiut.
Animal lovers visiting Kangerlussuaq will want to join a specific wildlife observation tour to get as close as safely possible to the animals that roam its extensive backcountry. Follow this with a scenic flight for a wider view of the tundra that sustains Greenland’s land-based wildlife and the Ice Sheet that limits their territory.
But keep in mind that sustainable hunting (where every element of the killed beast is used for another purpose) is an important part of Greenlandic culture. Trophy Hunters can learn these Greenlandic customs on a summer/autumn trophy hunt for musk oxen and/or reindeer near Kangerlussuaq (especially) and Maniitsoq.
Note: hunting is very tightly regulated in Greenland and these hunts take place in remote areas set aside specifically for this purpose. There are only a certain number of beasts allowed to be taken by each hunter and a limited number of hunting permits.
