Icecamp Greenland – Activities
Our Icecamp is the right place to simply enjoy and let the vastness of nature work its magic on you.
But it’s also a place to be active. Hiking, boat tours, kayaking, diving and fishing are just a few of the options.
What are you going to explore?
Boat trips
Photo
Hiking
Kayaking
Climbing / Ice climbing
Diving
Snorkeling
Fishing
Hunting
Culture
Boat trips
One of the most spectacular and at the same time the simplest experiences is touring with our inflatable boats. Depending on the weather, day trips, for example to the beautiful Johan Petersenfjord, can be arranged.
Picnic with a view of a glacier (which may also be calving, i.e. producing new icebergs), whale watching between the ice, grandiose mountains, rugged coasts, seals, seabirds and again and again massive icebergs – every tour is an experience in itself. It doesn’t matter if you’re out and about all day or just spontaneously decide to experience the sunset on the water and enjoy the golden hour between the glowing ice giants.
Other destinations for tours are Iceberg Alley, the sandy beach of Ukîverajik (often with stranded ice), the settlement of Tiilerilaaq with its 70 inhabitants, the abandoned settlement of Ikkatteq. The boat tours can also be combined with hikes.
Photo
Nature photographers will be amazed! The abundance of motifs is simply unbelievable. And not only is the landscape itself spectacular, but the ice changes the picture every day – creating a new world. Currents and wind can sometimes pile up ice in part of the fjord within a few hours and open bays that were just closed.
Whales, seals, birds, and arctic foxes also offer exciting motifs. Polar bears are rarely sighted here during the summer months. Unfortunately, reindeer and musk ox are absent from this region of Greenland.
Some of our partners offer special photo tours, where experts are on hand with advice and action and give interesting lectures in the evenings. Feel free to contact us for further information and contacts!
Hiking
There are hikes for almost everyone. You can go both short and longer tours directly from the camp, as well as from various landing points that are easily accessible by boat. Trails are unmarked and the terrain can be challenging. It is therefore important to adapt the planned hikes to your own abilities and experiences.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to „go high“ to have an incredible view over the icebergs and fjord, or whether you prefer to take it a little slower and stay in one of the sheltered valleys. It doesn’t matter whether you want to cross wild streams and explore glaciers, or just go for a short evening walk – the possibilities are diverse!
We often offer organized short and longer hikes, where one of our guides leads the group and of course also provides protection from possible polar bears. In addition, our partners also offer complete hiking trips here, some with overnight stays outside of the camp in tents and/or huts.
Kayaking
In the Sermilikfjord the conditions are often very good for both short and long kayak tours. While wind and waves can pose challenges offshore, in the interior of the fjord it is often more the changing ice conditions.
For short excursions in the impressive surroundings of the Icecamp, you don’t need extensive planning. However, if you are planning a multi-day tour, it is highly recommended to join an organized group.
We have kayaks at the camp that can be used for short trips or rented for longer tours. Furthermore, we are happy to put you in contact with guides with the appropriate experience in planning and carrying out multiday kayaking expeditions in the area.
Climbing / Ice climbing
The harsh and rugged landscape is largely inaccessible, but of course, with the right experience and equipment, you can conquer peaks and climb ice walls here.
The degree of difficulty varies, although the rock is generally exposed to strong erosion, which can lead to it being very brittle in large parts. This can present special challenges. In addition, rescue chains should be well planned in advance, since medical evacuations in impassable and remote regions involve considerable effort.
We therefore strongly recommend joining an organized tour. There are local guides who know the region and offer day trips, expeditions, as well as expertise and guiding for your own projects. Feel free to contact us
Diving
Scuba diving may not be an activity that immediately comes to mind when in the Arctic. But the icebergs are not only literally 90% hidden under the surface. Anyone who wants to explore them under water must somehow cope with the cold. Dry suits and heated vests make dives of 30 to 60 minutes comfortably possible. Underwater visibility varies during the summer months, however, 20 meters (60 ft) or more are not uncommon. In winter, the water is often crystal clear.
In addition to the ice, there is an amazing variety of marine life to discover: swimming snails, glowing jellyfish, colorful shrimp, inquisitive scorpionfish and menacing but very peaceful wolf fishes.
We are currently the only provider of land-based diving expeditions in Greenland and can now look back on almost 15 years of experience in the region. Due to the short distances to the most exciting places and the existing infrastructure at the camp, it is a perfect starting point for diving excursions, or scientific and media projects.
Snorkeling
If you want to take a look below the surface without having to use heavy and bulky diving gear, then a trip in a dry suit and with a mask and snorkel may be just the thing.
From the boat or from the beach you explore the ice while swimming. Have a look down where the iceberg disappears into the blue water. Shallow, turquoise lagoons in the ice are filled with seawater. Small fragments of ice can safely be admired up close.
The water temperature is just above freezing, but it’s manageable with a dry suit, warm neoprene hood and gloves.
An unforgettable experience especially on calm and sunny days. Small fish can also be observed in the beach zones and one is fascinated by the lush vegetation under water, while at the same time the vegetation on land is so sparse.
Fishing
There are very good opportunities for fishing in the vicinity of the camp. Both from land and by boat. And not only in the sea there is fish, but also in many of the surrounding lakes.
But it should also be said that the diversity of species is limited, or that many of the first-class food fishes here live in very deep water and are therefore difficult to fish for.
To name a few species of gamefish: arctic char, cod, wolffish, Greenland halibut, redfish and salmon can be caught.
In the lakes/freshwater only char can be found. They are fished with spoons or flies. In the bay in front of the camp, big spotted wolffish and cod have been caught at a depth of a few meters. Redfish and halibut stay in depths of many hundred meters all year around.
And, of course, we also prepare the catch at the camp – where in the world to find better and fresher quality of fish?
Hunting
In addition to fishing, hunting is of course also of huge importance for the people living here. We do not offer any hunting trips from the camp, but we can organize to join seal hunts for individuals and small groups on request.
Ringed and harp seals are still an important livelihood for the people here. The fur is sold, and the meat eaten or used as dog food.
A skilled hunter can take well over ten seals a day, which promises a good income, food for the family and also reputation. But of course, there are also many days when the hunters are much less lucky.
In addition to the two seal species mentioned, there are also bearded seals and hooded seals in the Sermilikfjord. Walruses are very rarely sighted. There is a local population of shy narwhals. The humpback and fin whales in the fjord are not hunted. Polar bears are very rarely sighted in summer. Seabirds such as eider ducks and guillemots are also hunted in late summer.
Culture
In hardly any other place have people had to adapt to such a drastic change in living conditions in such a short time. In less than 150 years they have been confronted with a new religion, culture, lifestyle, food, weapons, and tools – all previously totally unknown.
The Inuit are open-minded and up to new things. This is probably part of the explanation how it was possible in a few generations to get used to a life with Internet, regular working hours and holidays in Legoland – from living in an earth hut and fighting harsh nature “every day”.
At the same time, the roots of the culture in Greenland are still deep. Self-captured seal and whale meat, self-caught fish, artistic carvings, a little superstition and a strong bond with the barren and often hostile nature are still normal everyday life.
If you want to get closer to this, you can, for example, visit an art workshop in Tasiilaq where, among other things, Tupilak (wild-looking ghost figures) are carved, or try local dishes.
We are happy to help establish contacts and organize events for groups on request.