Perched on a rocky island 800 km above the Arctic Circle, Upernavik rewards expedition cruisers with cathedral icebergs drifting past brightly painted houses, working dog teams, and a raw glimpse of Greenlandic life far beyond the tourist trail.
There is no cruise pier. All ships anchor and transfer passengers via Zodiac or ship's tenders to the small local boat harbour in the centre of town.
💡 Pro move: There are no official shore-excursion desks on the pier. Expedition ships typically arrange guided walks or Zodiac tours to icefjords. Independent passengers can explore town freely — it is safe and compact.
Upernavik has no deep-water pier; all cruise ships tender ashore to the local fishing harbour.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition cruise lines (Hurtigruten, Ponant, Seabourn, etc.) | Upernavik boat harbour📍 | Tendered |
| All other cruise lines | Upernavik boat harbour📍 | Tendered |
Most worthwhile experiences in Upernavik are either walkable from the harbour or arranged by your ship as Zodiac excursions into the iceberg-choked fjord.
Glide among some of the world's largest icebergs calved from the glaciers feeding the Upernavik Icefjord just north of town. Blue towers, arches, and grounded bergs stretch to the horizon — one of the most dramatic Arctic experiences on any itinerary.
Find Upernavik iceberg tours →The world's northernmost open-air museum occupies the original 1772 colonial quarter. Historic buildings hold Inuit kayaks, hunting tools, traditional clothing, and artefacts linked to the Kingittorsuaq Norse runestone — the most northerly Viking object ever found.
Find Upernavik museum tours →The black-and-white wooden church dating to 1859 stands in the historic quarter. A 15-minute walk uphill brings you to the cemetery on a ridge above town, where colourful artificial flowers decorate graves with sweeping views over Baffin Bay and floating icebergs.
Find Upernavik walking tours →Local boat operators run trips through the Upernavik Archipelago, where narwhals, beluga whales, seals, and seabirds are regularly spotted. The vast bird cliffs at Apparsuit are accessible by boat in summer.
Find Upernavik wildlife tours →Paddle Greenland's waters as the Inuit have for centuries. Rental kayaks and guided tours operate from the harbour in summer, weaving between bergy bits and grounded growlers with the Arctic sky overhead.
Find Upernavik kayak tours →Upernavik is tiny — one compact town walk covers almost everything, though the steep hillside terrain demands good footwear.
From the boat harbour walk uphill through the colourful town past the Old Church to the Upernavik Museum, then continue up to the cemetery ridge for panoramic iceberg views over Baffin Bay. Note the sled dogs staked at the town's edge — do not approach them.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Upernavik, Northwest 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 | 0°F / -18°C | -8°F / -22°C | 0 | – | – |
| Feb | 4°F / -16°C | -6°F / -21°C | 0 | 10:45 AM | 5:13 PM |
| Mar | 5°F / -15°C | -4°F / -20°C | 0 | 8:08 AM | 7:41 PM |
| Apr | 19°F / -7°C | 9°F / -13°C | 0 | 6:14 AM | 11:19 PM |
| May | 32°F / 0°C | 22°F / -6°C | 1 | – | – |
| Jun | 42°F / 6°C | 32°F / 0°C | 0 | – | – |
| Jul | 49°F / 9°C | 38°F / 3°C | 1 | – | – |
| Aug | 48°F / 9°C | 39°F / 4°C | 1 | – | – |
| Sep | 37°F / 3°C | 31°F / -1°C | 1 | 7:51 AM | 9:24 PM |
| Oct | 30°F / -1°C | 24°F / -4°C | 1 | 10:16 AM | 6:42 PM |
| Nov | 23°F / -5°C | 17°F / -8°C | 0 | – | – |
| Dec | 12°F / -11°C | 4°F / -16°C | 0 | – | – |
Source: Meteostat (10-yr monthly averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Upernavik, Northwest 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.