Welcome to Akureyri, the whale-watching capital of Iceland. In the afternoon, embark on the Polar Pioneer for a truly unique expedition to explore a rarely visited area of East Greenland. This tough, ice-strengthened expedition vessel will be your comfortable home and base for exploring for the next 9-nights.

After settling into your cabin, attend a full safety briefing and an introduction from the expedition team. Meet the expert guides for the duration of your voyage who have extensive knowledge about East Greenland, history, wildlife, and geology. 

In the afternoon, set sail out of Akureyri and head across the Denmark Strait to Scoresby Sund in East Greenland.

During your day at sea sailing north through the Denmark Strait, a passionate expert guide team hosts a series of educational lectures about the wildlife, history, and culture of Greenland and Scoresby Sund. As you approach the coast of East Greenland, see the looming mountains that line the coast and encounter our first icebergs drifting on the East Greenland Current. 

This is a good area for spotting the Blue Whales, the largest animal ever to have lived on Earth, who feed here during the summer months. It is believed that there are just 600 or so of these magnificent whales (out of a world population of around 6,000) in the North Atlantic. You may also see Orcas (Killer Whales) and are almost certain to encounter Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Gannets, and rafts of Common Guillemots and Razorbills. Cross the Arctic Circle and continue north, perhaps seeing White-beaked Dolphins, Humpback Whales, and Minke Whales, each species instantly recognized by the shape and size of its blow.

Today, you have allowed enough time to do an extensive exploration of Scoresby Sund and make landings in remote wilderness areas daily. The team plans to circumnavigate Milne Island which is deep inside the fjord system. You will encounter some of the largest icebergs on earth floating through steep-sided fjords, encounter mystical landscapes, and do short hikes in the virtually unexplored wilderness. Conditions inside the fjord system sheltered and cruising through the remote landscape is all part of the experience.  

If time and conditions allow, plan to visit the remote settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, home to just 400 Greenlandic people, to get an insight into their life and culture. The beauty of Polar Pioneer is that all our guests can Zodiac cruise or visit the shores at the same time. The process of going ashore is much more efficient than a larger ship so our guests get to spend more time exploring and less time waiting.

After 7-nights exploring Scoresby Sund, bid your farewell to this remote wilderness and set sail for Iceland. The expedition team continues the educational presentations. It is a good chance to relax, warm up in the sauna and enjoy a drink at the bar. The expedition leader does a recap of the voyage and, it is an opportunity to share moments and photos with your fellow explorers.

In the morning, you arrive back in Akureyri after your epic Greenland cruise to Scoresby Sund. After breakfast, say your goodbyes after making new friends and sharing a wonderful adventure.