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March 29, 2025

Oceanwide Expeditions’ Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruise program visits many locations, all of them unforgettable, inspiring, and, for some, life-changing. Among these destinations, one stands out above all others for its ancient, remote landscapes and the unique activities it offers amid some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.

Scoresby Sund, located on the eastern coast of Greenland, is truly one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the Arctic. Its towering icebergs, rugged landscapes, rolling tundra, and secluded fjords are a unique and unforgettable experience for adventure-seekers and nature lovers alike. With Oceanwide Expeditions, you can visit Scoresby Sund at the tail end of the Arctic summer, when sea ice has retreated and the days are long, where, surrounded by the dazzling colors of autumn, you’ll enter a world unlike any other.

Why Scoresby Sund?

Scoresby Sund is the world’s largest and longest fjord system, stretching over 350 kilometers (about 217.48 mi) into the glaciated mountainous landscape of northeast Greenland. Towering granitic cliffs frame the many fjords, between which countless glaciers spill out and down into the sea, creating a spectacular landscape of contrasting colors and dramatic, raw power. Untouched and unspoiled, this area of Greenland remains the domain of musk ox, Arctic hares, and gyrfalcons, soaring high above the jagged peaks.

A visit to Scoresby Sund means true immersion in a landscape shaped by the power of time and ice. This world is a geologist’s dream, with stunning geological formations telling the story of this part of the Arctic set among rolling, expansive tundra home to a variety of wildlife and impressive biological diversity.

With Oceanwide Expeditions, you won’t just visit Scoresby Sund and cruise its many fjords. Instead, you will truly live in this part of the Arctic, seizing the opportunity to spend full days away from the ship on long hikes, which is not always possible in other parts of the polar world. The varied landscape also offers superb activities such as kayaking, during which you may find yourself navigating fields of brash ice and bergy bits or paddling beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls of before immense, ancient glaciers.

For photographers, Scoresby Sund is unmissable. The contrasts offered by the rock, tundra, and ice as you navigate areas such as Øfjord, Rypefjord, Harefjord, and Rodefjord or climb beneath gargantuan peaks as you summit the slopes of Cap Hoffman Halvo or Ikasakajip Nua will leave you overwhelmed by the raw natural beauty of this remote corner of the world. Even the crossing by ship from Iceland, or southern Greenland is a spectacle, from the wildlife-rich waters of the Denmark Strait to the edge of Kap Brewster, where the first icebergs of your trip will drift into view, set against huge, snow-swept mountains that dominate Hall Bredning.

The beauty of the Arctic tundra in Autumn

One of the highlights of a Scoresby Sund expedition with Oceanwide is the opportunity to experience the Arctic tundra during a spectacular time of year. In late summer and early autumn, the rolling hills and sweeping valleys become a sea of gold, red, brown, and yellow, with Arctic plants such as dwarf willow, birch, and cottongrass transforming Scoresby Sund into a carpet of color.

On a long hike, you’ll enter this vast environment, losing yourself in a world entirely different from that you left behind. This is the world of the musk ox, the Arctic hare, and the Arctic fox, with fantastic opportunities to encounter these iconic animals as you explore an ancient landscape. While not as common as in Svalbard, polar bears may also be encountered in Scoresby Sund. During shore landings and hikes, you will be led by experienced polar guides and scouted extensively before and during your time on land.

During the summer, Scoresby Sund is home to many migratory birds that gather to feed in the rich tundra. Towards the end of the season, many of these birds return further south, but ptarmigans, resplendent in their winter coats, may be seen among the undergrowth, while, if you’re lucky, you may spot a gyrfalcon high above. The landscapes of Scoresby Sund are vast, beyond even the most vivid imagination. The beauty of a visit to this unique place lies in its remoteness, so the Arctic silence here is truly that. Only the sounds of the wind or a lone bird call in the air break this otherwise silent landscape.

Why choose Oceanwide Expeditions?

Oceanwide Expeditions is a pioneer of polar expedition cruises, offering small-ship expeditions that focus on exploration and immersion in the natural environment. From vast, untouched tundra and majestic flotillas of icebergs to sweeping mountains, tumbling glaciers, and the fractured, ethereal world of pack ice, they invite guests to experience the raw power of nature and discover a pioneering spirit that, once found, is never forgotten.

Innovation and adventure are in their DNA, with the best outdoor activity program on offer and an approach to expedition cruising centered on flexibility and a 360° polar experience. Their ice-strengthened expedition vessels are designed from the ground up to enter pack ice and journey to the very edges of the map, with open deck spaces and viewing areas ideal for wildlife encounters and photography sessions. Whether you are soaring above the ice by helicopter, discovering the polar world by foot, exploring brash ice by kayak, getting up close to spectacular wildlife by Zodiac, or even plunging below the surface in a dive or snorkel session, they ensure you never miss a moment of life in these unforgettable regions.

This approach is also represented in their people, with their vessel crew and expedition staff providing the warmest welcome in the polar regions and offering an unparalleled experience to ensure your days are packed with fresh discoveries and sights that will leave you forever changed. With guides who are experts in diverse topics, including biology, glaciology, and photography, you’ll learn, discover, and experience more than you ever believed possible and create memories that last a lifetime.

Book your adventure in Scoresby Sund for 2025

There is no better time than now to book your trip to Scoresby Sund! Oceanwide Expeditions’ 2025 Arctic program is online and available to book, as is most of their 2026 Arctic program. Check out their website for the latest offers and detailed trip information or contact them directly.

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George Janes

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