About the Port
Disko Bay is a wide inlet of Baffin Bay on Greenland's western coast, distinguished as the largest open bay in the region. Its waters are famously choked with icebergs calved from the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site that produces some of the fastest-moving, most productive glacial ice in the Northern Hemisphere. Basalt cliffs and ancient lava flows frame the bay, evidence of the volcanic forces that shaped this stretch of the Arctic.
Wildlife thrives amid the drifting ice, with fin whales, humpbacks, seabird colonies, and occasionally walrus or polar bears spotted from the water. The town of Ilulissat sits at the head of the bay and serves as the principal gateway for exploring the icefjord and surrounding wilderness, with its harbor and waterfront easily reached on foot. Shifting Arctic light and constantly rearranging icebergs make each visit distinct.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Disko Bay.
Hike the Icefjord Boardwalk
A wooden boardwalk trail leads from Ilulissat to viewpoints overlooking the Ilulissat Icefjord, where towering icebergs calve and drift toward the bay. Allow one to two hours round trip for one of the Arctic's most rewarding short walks.
Take a Boat Among the Icebergs
Small boat excursions weave close to the massive icebergs stranded near Ilulissat's mouth, offering a scale and silence impossible to grasp from a ship's deck. Book ahead, as space fills quickly on days in port.
Scan the Water for Whales
Fin and humpback whales regularly feed in Disko Bay's nutrient-rich waters amid the drifting ice. Time on deck or a dedicated wildlife outing improves the odds of a sighting.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Click a cruise line to see its Disko Bay sailings and Pavlus pricing.
Cruises That Visit Disko Bay
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2026 | Ponant Cruises | L'Austral | 19 | $27,250 | |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Swan Hellenic | SH Vega | 14 | $19,925 | |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 17 | $13,951 | |
| Mar 27, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Commandant Charcot | 8 | $21,410 | |
| Apr 4, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Commandant Charcot | 12 | $20,650 | |
| Apr 28, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Commandant Charcot | 15 | $28,040 | |
| Jul 29, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Resolution | 23 | $63,500 | |
| Jul 30, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | L'Austral | 13 | $16,240 | |
| Aug 8, 2027 | Swan Hellenic | SH Vega | 12 | $11,125 | |
| Aug 8, 2027 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse | 21 | $44,471 | |
| Aug 12, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | L'Austral | 16 | $26,380 | |
| Aug 15, 2027 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse | 14 | $19,702 | |
| Aug 20, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Lyrial | 13 | $15,450 | |
| Aug 28, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | L'Austral | 19 | $29,230 | |
| Sep 1, 2027 | Swan Hellenic | SH Vega | 7 | $7,900 | |
| Sep 2, 2027 | Ponant Cruises | Le Lyrial | 7 | $13,010 | |
| Sep 8, 2027 | Swan Hellenic | SH Vega | 7 | $7,900 | |
| May 22, 2028 | Ponant Cruises | Le Commandant Charcot | 15 | $27,460 | |
| Jul 20, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse | 26 | $36,033 | |
| Jul 25, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Eclipse | 21 | $28,908 |
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