A scattering of brightly painted houses clinging to a rocky headland at the mouth of Scoresby Sund — the world's largest fjord system. Around 350 people live here, sustained by hunting and the memory of centuries of Inuit ingenuity. For a cruiser, this is as remote as it gets.
There is no pier — all ships anchor offshore and land passengers by Zodiac inflatable or tender.
💡 Pro move: Ittoqqortoormiit is weather-sensitive and operations are at expedition leaders' discretion. Ice, swells, or fog can restrict or cancel landings.
No cruise pier exists — all ships anchor in the sound and use Zodiacs or tenders to reach the village.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition cruise lines (Quark, Oceanwide, Seabourn, etc.) | Anchored offshore; Zodiac to village quay or beach📍 | Tendered |
| All vessels | No fixed pier infrastructure for cruise ships📍 | Tendered |
Organized excursions are led by Nanu Travel — the settlement's sole tourism operator — with a focus on Inuit culture, Arctic wildlife, and the immensity of Scoresby Sund.
A small-boat voyage into the world's largest fjord system, weaving between colossal icebergs, dramatic basalt cliffs, and sheer silence. Wildlife — seals, Arctic foxes, seabirds — is almost guaranteed.
Find Scoresby Sund boat tours →Guided stroll through the colorful settlement with a local guide, stopping at the Ittoqqortoormiit Museum (housed in a 1930 former trading store, opened as a museum in 1997) for historical costumes, tools, and hunting artifacts. Check availability with Nanu Travel on arrival.
Book a guided village tour →Guided hike on marked trails outside the settlement in search of musk oxen — common sightings around Ittoqqortoormiit — as well as Arctic fox, ringed seals offshore, and seabirds nesting in the cliffs.
Find Arctic wildlife hikes →Paddle among ice floes and icebergs in Scoresby Sund in a sea kayak. Nanu Travel can arrange short guided paddles for summer visitors with appropriate experience.
Find kayaking tours →Boat trips can include stops at Cape Tobin (Uunarteq) — site of a former settlement about 7 km south of the village, with hot springs reaching around 60°C — and other ghost settlements ringing the fjord.
Find Cape Tobin excursions →The entire settlement is walkable in under 20 minutes — the experience is less about distance and more about immersion in Arctic Inuit life.
From the landing quay, walk up through the settlement past the colorful wooden houses, the church, the Pilersuisoq supermarket, and the museum. Look for sled dogs staked outside homes and seal skins drying on racks.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Follow the marked hiking trail up the hillside behind the village to a ridge with panoramic views over the fjord mouth, pack ice, and — on clear days — distant nunataks. Watch for Arctic foxes on the tundra.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland, Greenland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°F / -8°C | 8°F / -13°C | 14 | – | – |
| Feb | 15°F / -9°C | 6°F / -14°C | 12 | 8:04 AM | 3:20 PM |
| Mar | 14°F / -10°C | 6°F / -14°C | 10 | 5:49 AM | 5:25 PM |
| Apr | 24°F / -4°C | 15°F / -9°C | 7 | 4:19 AM | 8:39 PM |
| May | 32°F / 0°C | 25°F / -4°C | 7 | – | – |
| Jun | 42°F / 6°C | 35°F / 2°C | 6 | – | – |
| Jul | 47°F / 8°C | 40°F / 4°C | 8 | – | – |
| Aug | 47°F / 8°C | 39°F / 4°C | 6 | – | – |
| Sep | 38°F / 3°C | 31°F / -1°C | 12 | 5:40 AM | 7:02 PM |
| Oct | 30°F / -1°C | 23°F / -5°C | 13 | 7:44 AM | 4:40 PM |
| Nov | 23°F / -5°C | 15°F / -9°C | 11 | 9:32 AM | 12:51 PM |
| Dec | 17°F / -8°C | 7°F / -14°C | 10 | – | – |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The entire settlement is walkable from the tender landing. All points of interest — the church, school, hunter's homes, and viewpoints — are within easy walking distance.
Ships anchor offshore; passengers are ferried ashore by tender boats operated by the cruise line. No independent boat hire is available.
Expedition cruise lines offer guided excursions such as dog-sled rides, kayaking, wildlife safaris, and cultural visits. Nanu Travel is the primary local operator managing all visitor logistics.
In winter and spring, dog sleds and snowmobiles are the primary means of wilderness transport. Available only through organized excursions — not independently bookable on arrival.
Upcoming cruises that call at Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland, Greenland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.