Disko Bay

Disko Bay, a magnificent expanse of Arctic sea on Greenland's west coast, is one of the country's most rewarding regions, a place of drifting icebergs, abundant marine life and dramatic scenery. Its rich waters are among the best in Greenland for whale watching, where humpback, fin and minke whales feed in summer, and its shores are dotted with colourful fishing settlements. Across the bay lies the volcanic island of Disko, unusual in Greenland for its black basalt mountains, hot springs and hiking, offering a striking contrast to the ice-filled sea and the surrounding Arctic wilderness.

History

The Saqqaq were present around Disko Bay between 2400 and 900 BC, though it is uncertain when the Inuit first came. After Erik the Red began the Norse settlement of Greenland in 985 AD, the Norsemen travelled up the coast in the summer thaw and found the bay, prized for walrus ivory, seal pelts and whales, the main goods the settlers traded with Iceland, the British Isles and mainland Europe; Norse accounts describe it as uninhabited at first and later tell of trade with the Inuit, and the Little Ice Age that began in the 15th century was the main reason the Norse settlements were abandoned (Wikipedia, Disko Bay).

Highlights

• The whales - the humpbacks and others feeding in summer.
• The icebergs - the ice drifting across the bay.
• Disko Island - the black basalt cliffs, hot springs and hiking.
• The settlements - the colourful fishing villages of the coast.

When to go

June to September, the Arctic summer, for whale watching, boat trips, hiking and the midnight sun; the whales are most active in the summer feeding season. Winter brings dog-sledding and the northern lights but harsh cold and limited access. Travel between settlements is by boat or, in winter, dog sled.

Things to know

Like all of Greenland, Disko Bay is remote, weather-dependent and costly to reach and explore, with travel by boat or plane and services concentrated in a few small towns; whale sightings, though frequent in summer, are never guaranteed. For dramatic Arctic scenery, superb whale watching, unusual volcanic landscapes and authentic settlement life, though, the bay is one of Greenland's most varied and beautiful regions.

Nearby

The Ilulissat Icefjord and the coastal settlements are around the bay.

Key facts