The vast Arctic landscape of Greenland harbors a complex mosaic of islands surrounding the world’s largest non-continental island. These frozen frontiers offer travelers extraordinary experiences such as towering icebergs, millennia-old ice sheets, traditional Inuit settlements that are untouched by human development.
Through this guide, you will get to know about Greenland’s most remarkable islands, providing essential information for adventurous travelers who want to experience the ultimate Arctic experience.
1. Disko Island (Qeqertarsuaq)
Disko Island stands as Greenland’s most geologically distinctive island, created by volcanic activity that sets it apart from the mainland’s ancient bedrock. This 8,578 square kilometer landmass rises dramatically from Disko Bay with 1,000-meter basalt mountains, hot springs, and unique plant life thriving in its volcanic soil.
Disko offers visitors a remarkable combination of Arctic and volcanic landscapes. The island’s western location provides relatively milder conditions than other parts of Greenland, supporting diverse wildlife including whales, seals, and numerous bird species that thrive in its nutrient-rich waters.
Weather: 0-10°C (32-50°F) in summer; -25 to -5°C (-13 to 23°F) in winter
Location:Disko Island, Greenland
Timings: Best visited June-September (limited access in winter)
Entry Fee: Free (tours range from 700 – 2,695 DKK depending on activity)
What to do:
- Hike the Kuannit trail through bizarre basalt formations and lush vegetation with Greenland’s most diverse flora and spectacular columns.
- Join whale watching expeditions between June and September when humpback, minke, and fin whales feed in nutrient-rich waters.
- Explore the historic town of Qeqertarsuaq with its yellow and red wooden houses, local museum, and distinctive octagonal church.
- Experience unique Arctic phenomena including the midnight sun from May to July and northern lights during winter months.
2. Uummannaq Island
Uummannaq Island captivates visitors with its heart-shaped mountain rising 1,175 meters straight from the sea, creating one of Greenland’s most photographed and instantly recognizable landscapes. This small 12 square kilometer island sits approximately 590 km north of the Arctic Circle in Uummannaq Fjord.
Despite its remote location, the island has gained fame through documentaries, as the mythical home of Santa Claus in Greenlandic folklore, and for its children’s choir that has performed internationally.
Weather: -20 to 10°C (-4 to 50°F) with midnight sun from May to July
Location:Uummannaq Island, Greenland
Timings: Accessible year-round (best May-September)
Entry Fee: Free (guided tours approximately 300 – 500 DKK)
What to do:
- Visit the Uummannaq Museum in a restored 1775 trading station, featuring the famous Qilakitsoq mummies and cultural artifacts.
- Experience winter dog sledding across sea ice between February and April with professional Inuit mushers along ancient routes.
- Hike around the heart-shaped mountain for stunning perspectives or attempt the challenging summit climb for panoramic views.
- Participate in a kaffemik, a traditional Greenlandic social gathering where local families welcome visitors to share coffee and conversation.
3. Ammassalik Island
Ammassalik Island dominates East Greenland’s coastline as the region’s largest island, characterized by dramatic alpine peaks, deep fjords, and the colorful town of Tasiilaq, East Greenland’s most populous settlement. This island remained isolated from Western influence until 1894, preserving distinctive East Greenlandic cultural traditions and dialect.
Ammassalik provides the primary gateway to East Greenland’s wilderness, where visitors experience a stark contrast to West Greenland’s more developed tourism infrastructure and encounter a region where hunting traditions and subsistence practices remain central to community life.
Weather: -10 to 10°C (14 to 50°F) in summer; -25 to -5°C (-13 to 23°F) in winter
Location:Ammassalik Island, Greenland
Timings: Accessible year-round (July-September offers best hiking conditions)
Entry Fee: Free (guided excursions from 700 – 3,000 DKK)
What to do:
- Hike the Flower Valley trail from Tasiilaq through a sheltered valley with Arctic wildflowers, unusual plant diversity, and wildlife.
- Kayak the surrounding fjords with experienced guides, paddling among massive icebergs following routes established by Inuit hunters.
- Visit the Tasiilaq Museum showcasing East Greenland’s unique cultural heritage, including clothing, hunting equipment, and tupilak carvings.
- Trek to the Sermilik Ice Fjord viewpoint for spectacular panoramic views of one of the world’s most active ice fjords.
4. Qeqertarsuaq (Herbert Island)
Source: Wikimedia
Qeqertarsuaq (Herbert Island) sits in northwest Greenland’s Inglefield Fjord, not to be confused with the town of the same name on Disko Island. This small, mountainous island within the Thule region represents one of Greenland’s most remote inhabited areas.
The island hosts the settlement of Qaanaaq (formerly Thule), established in 1953 when inhabitants of the original Thule settlement were relocated. This controversial history shaped the island’s modern identity, where residents maintain traditional hunting techniques including the use of kayaks and harpoons alongside adaptations to contemporary Arctic life.
Weather: -30 to 5°C (-22 to 41°F) with extreme seasonal light variations
Location:Herbert Island, Greenland
Timings: Brief summer access (July-August), extremely limited in winter
Entry Fee: Free (permits required for some areas)
What to do:
- Observe traditional hunting techniques demonstrated by local experts maintaining ancient methods and specialized harpoon designs.
- Photograph distinctive star-shaped qajaqs (kayaks) unique to northwest Greenland often displayed alongside umiaks and dog sleds.
- Visit the Qaanaaq Museum in explorer Knud Rasmussen’s former trading station documenting the region’s history and cultural practices.
- Witness traditional drum dancing and mask performances during community celebrations.
Suggested Read: Restaurants in Greenland
Source: Wikimedia
Upernavik Island anchors the southern portion of the Upernavik Archipelago, a scattered collection of islands stretching along northwest Greenland’s coast. The island’s rugged landscape rises to 2,400 feet above sea level, creating dramatic coastal scenery where sheer cliffs plunge directly into iceberg-filled waters.
Traditional hunting and fishing remain central to the local economy, complemented by growing tourism focused on authentic Arctic experiences, including traditional dogsledding and visits to ancient Thule culture archaeological sites.
Weather: -20 to 7°C (-4 to 45°F) with significant wind chill factors
Location:Upernavik Island, Greenland
Timings: Limited summer access (June-September)
Entry Fee: Free (guided trips from 800-2,500 DKK)
What to do:
- Hike the marked trail to Upernavik’s summit for panoramic views across dozens of islands dotted with icebergs from nearby glaciers.
- Photograph the midnight sun between May and July when 24-hour golden lighting creates perfect conditions for capturing colorful scenery.
- Experience traditional Greenlandic dog sledding between February and May, traveling across frozen sea between archipelago islands.
6. Milne Land
Source: Wikimedia
Milne Land rises from East Greenland’s Scoresby Sound as the world’s 31st largest island, a massive uninhabited wilderness defined by alpine mountains, sweeping glaciers, and striking geological formations.
Unlike Western Greenland’s more accessible regions, Milne Land remains virtually untouched by human development, visited primarily by expedition vessels and specialized trekking groups. The island’s remoteness preserves pristine Arctic ecosystems where musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and polar bears roam around the area.
Weather: -15 to 10°C (5 to 50°F) in summer; extreme cold in winter
Location:Milne Land, Greenland
Timings: Brief summer access (July-August) via expedition vessels only
Entry Fee: Free (accessible only through guided expeditions costing 20,000+ DKK)
What to do:
- Trek across varied terrain with specialized guides, traversing ancient glacial valleys and ridgelines with spectacular fjord views.
- Photograph extraordinary geology of the Antarctic Mountains and Renland Ice Cap with distant peaks visible in Arctic’s clear air.
- Observe pristine Arctic wildlife including musk oxen, Arctic foxes, seabirds, and possibly polar bears hunting along shorelines.
- Participate in zodiac cruises navigating between massive icebergs, approaching wildlife safely, and accessing otherwise unreachable bays.
7. Kulusuk Island
Kulusuk Island serves as the primary gateway to East Greenland, hosting the region’s main airport on its small 8 square kilometer territory. This rocky island in the Ammassalik archipelago combines accessibility with authentic Inuit culture.
Kulusuk provides visitors their first experience of East Greenland’s distinctive culture, where isolation from Western Greenland allowed unique traditions to develop, including drum dancing, distinctive handicrafts, and specialized hunting techniques adapted to local conditions.
Weather: -10 to 10°C (14 to 50°F) in summer; -25 to -5°C (-13 to 23°F) in winter
Location:Kulusuk Island, Greenland
Timings: Accessible year-round via regular flights from Iceland
Entry Fee: Free (cultural demonstrations approximately 1300+ DKK)
What to do:
- Witness traditional East Greenlandic drum dancing performances where circular frame drums accompany powerful throat singing.
- Hike the marked trail to Kulusuk mountain for panoramic views over Denmark Strait toward the mainland ice cap and surrounding islands.
- Visit local handicraft workshops to observe the creation of distinctive East Greenlandic tupilaks carved from bone or tusk.
- Experience winter dog sledding between February and April with local hunters demonstrating their traditional transportation method.
8. Apusiaajik Island
Source: Wikimedia
Apusiaajik Island rises from the waters near Kulusuk in East Greenland, dominated by its namesake glacier that cascades from the island’s central ice cap down steep mountain sides to calve directly into the sea.
This small, uninhabited island serves primarily as a destination for helicopter-accessed glacier excursions and ski touring expeditions.The island’s proximity to Kulusuk Airport makes it one of East Greenland’s most accessible wilderness experiences.
Weather: -15 to 5°C (5 to 41°F) in summer; extreme cold in winter
Location:Apusiaajik Island, Greenland
Timings: Weather-dependent access (best June-August)
Entry Fee: Free (helicopter glacier tours approximately 27,300+ DKK)
What to do:
- Take a helicopter glacier tour from Kulusuk Airport directly onto Apusiaajik’s ice cap with guided walks exploring ice formations.
- Join ski touring expeditions in spring when stable weather allows wilderness descents from the island’s peaks
- Photograph the glacier from boat tours where blue ice, dark rock, and freshly calved icebergs create extraordinary visual contrasts.
Suggested Read: How to Book a Greenland Visa Appointment for Indians
9. Aasiaat Island
Aasiaat Island hosts Greenland’s fifth-largest town on its rocky shores at the southern entrance to Disko Bay, serving as an important transportation hub with its deep harbor and airport. Known as the “Land of Whales,” this small island benefits from nutrient-rich waters that attract numerous whale species, including humpback, minke, and fin whales during summer months.
In this island, approximately 3,000 residents maintain a community known for its music festival, kayaking traditions, and strategic location as a gateway to experience the surrounding Disko Bay area.
Weather: -15 to 10°C (5 to 50°F) with midnight sun from May to July
Location:Aasiaat Island, Greenland
Timings: Accessible year-round via air and sea
Entry Fee: Free (museum: 40 DKK)
What to do:
- Join a whale watching tour from Aasiaat harbor when multiple species feed in nutrient-rich waters with excellent viewing opportunities.
- Explore the Aasiaat Museum in buildings dating to 1777 with well-preserved artifacts including traditional boats and hunting tools.
- Paddle protected waters with guided kayaking excursions exploring the small island archipelago and approaching icebergs safely.
10. Qeqertaq Island
Source: Wikimedia
Qeqertaq Island sits within the Upernavik Archipelago in northwest Greenland, hosting a small settlement of approximately 100 residents who maintain traditional hunting and fishing practices.
Life here follows seasonal rhythms dictated by hunting opportunities, ice conditions, and daylight hours, with residents harvesting seal, fish, and occasionally narwhal and beluga whales using methods passed down through generations while selectively incorporating modern technologies.
Weather: -20 to 7°C (-4 to 44°F) with extreme seasonal light variations
Location:Qeqertaq Island, Greenland
Timings: Limited summer access (June-September)
Entry Fee: Free (village visits by arrangement only)
What to do:
- Visit the small community center where visitors may observe or participate in traditional games and seasonal celebrations.
- Observe daily subsistence activities including the processing of hunting catches, net mending, and traditional food preparation.
- Photograph the distinctive hexagonal red church alongside colorful houses painted in traditional Greenlandic colors.
11. Traill Island
Source: Wikimedia
Traill Island occupies a remote section of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park, stretching 50 kilometers at its widest point. This uninhabited wilderness between King Oscar Fjord and Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord contains geological formations spanning billions of years.
The island features extraordinary biodiversity despite harsh conditions, with musk oxen herds grazing windswept valleys during brief summers and polar bears hunting along ice-filled shores.
Weather: -20 to 5°C (-4 to 41°F) in summer; extreme cold in winter
Location:Traill Island, Greenland
Timings: Brief summer access (July-August) via expedition vessels only
Entry Fee: Free (national park permits required for expeditions)
What to do:
- Join expedition cruises with zodiac landings where expert guides lead small groups through protected sites with Arctic wildlife.
- Search for wildlife including musk oxen herds, Arctic foxes in both color phases, numerous bird species, and possibly polar bears.
- Examine fossil beds containing extinct plant species from warmer periods providing tangible evidence of Earth’s climate history.
- Hike carefully planned routes to elevated viewpoints where icebergs drift through deep blue waters between towering mountains.
12. Ymer Island
Ymer Island stands among East Greenland’s largest islands, divided from the mainland by the narrow Antarctic Sound and bordered by Kong Oscar Fjord.
The island forms part of Northeast Greenland National Park, where strict protection preserves pristine Arctic ecosystems. Unlike West Greenland’s more accessible regions, Ymer sees fewer than 500 human visitors annually, allowing wildlife to thrive undisturbed across diverse habitats.
Weather: -20 to 5°C (-4 to 41°F) in summer; extreme cold in winter
Location:Ymer Island, Greenland
Timings: Brief summer access (July-August) via expedition vessels only
Entry Fee: Free (national park permits required for expeditions)
What to do:
- Visit the remarkable Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle) mountain with distinctive red and yellow sedimentary layers documenting Earth’s history.
- Search for Arctic wildlife including arctic hares, collared lemmings, ermine, birds, musk oxen and polar bears in protected habitats.
- Explore abandoned hunting stations and ancient Inuit sites with stone tent rings, meat caches, and tool remnants.
- Photograph the midnight sun illuminating Antarctica Sound’s ice flows with 24-hour daylight creating constantly changing light conditions.
Suggested Read: Greenland Visa for Indians Made EASY!
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FAQs
How many islands are in Greenland?
Greenland’s coastline contains approximately 250 named islands and countless unnamed islets and skerries. While Greenland itself is often considered the world’s largest island at 2,166,086 square kilometers.
What are the most famous islands in Greenland for tourists?
The most popular Greenland islands for tourists include Disko Island with its unique volcanic features, Uummannaq Island with its heart-shaped mountain, and Kulusuk Island as the gateway to East Greenland. Each offers distinctive landscapes and cultural experiences, though visitor numbers remain low compared to other Arctic destinations.
Are Greenland islands open to public?
Many Greenland islands are open to public visitation, though access logistics present significant challenges. Major settlements welcome tourists, while uninhabited islands within Northeast Greenland National Park require permits. Most islands lack tourist infrastructure, necessitating organized expeditions or local guides.
How to reach World Islands Greenland?
To reach islands in Greenland, international travelers typically fly to Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, or Ilulissat airports via Copenhagen or Reykjavik. From these hubs, domestic flights, helicopters, boats, or expedition vessels provide connections to smaller islands.
What is nightlife on Greenland islands like?
Nightlife on Greenland islands varies dramatically by location and season. Larger settlements like Nuuk offer small bars, cultural centers with live music, and occasional festivals, while smaller communities might have a single gathering place.
Which is the most luxurious island in Greenland?
Disko Island offers Greenland’s most luxurious accommodations at Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat on the mainland across from the island, featuring four-star facilities, gourmet restaurants serving Greenlandic specialties, and “igloo” cabins overlooking Disko Bay.
Which Greenland island is best for families?
Disko Island provides the most family-friendly experience in Greenland, offering accessible hiking trails, whale watching opportunities, and the charming town of Qeqertarsuaq with basic amenities.
What is the best time to visit Greenland islands?
The optimal time to visit Greenland islands is June through August when temperatures are mildest (reaching 10°C/50°F), daylight extends nearly 24 hours, and sea ice retreats allowing boat access. September offers northern lights possibilities, while February through April provides ideal conditions for sledding adventures.
