Greenland

Greenland is the world’s largest island and one of the planet’s last true wildernesses. Covering more than two million square kilometres, around 80% of its surface is buried beneath the immense Greenland Ice Sheet, leaving a rugged coastline of dramatic fjords, towering mountains, glaciers and tundra that supports an extraordinary variety of Arctic wildlife.

Despite its harsh climate, Greenland is one of the best destinations on Earth for observing Arctic mammals and seabirds. The surrounding seas are home to numerous whale species, including Humpback, Fin and Bowhead Whales, while Polar Bears roam the remote northeastern coast and drifting sea ice. On land, Musk Oxen, Arctic Foxes, Reindeer and Arctic Hares thrive across the tundra, adapted to survive some of the world’s most extreme conditions.

The country’s vast coastline also supports spectacular seabird colonies, where Thick-billed Murres, Little Auks, Black-legged Kittiwakes and Northern Fulmars gather in their hundreds of thousands during the short Arctic summer. Greenland’s fjords and icebergs provide breathtaking scenery, while the Midnight Sun creates ideal conditions for wildlife observation from June through August. During winter, the Northern Lights illuminate the frozen landscape, adding another dimension to one of the world’s most remote destinations.

Wildlife experiences vary dramatically between regions. West Greenland offers excellent whale watching, Musk Oxen and Arctic Foxes, while East Greenland is renowned for Polar Bears, Narwhals, immense icebergs and untouched Arctic landscapes. In the far northeast, the world’s largest national park protects one of the most pristine ecosystems remaining on Earth, where few people ever venture and wildlife still dominates the landscape.

Whether sailing among towering icebergs in Ilulissat Icefjord, searching for Narwhals beneath drifting sea ice or photographing Musk Oxen against dramatic Arctic mountains, Greenland offers one of the most authentic and unforgettable wildlife experiences anywhere in the world.