How to get to Disko Island
Qeqertarsuaq (also know as Disko Island) is situated west of central mainland Greenland in the famous Disko Bay – about 300 km north of the Polar Circle. It is the largest island in Greenland with a small population of less than 800 inhabitants in the main town, Qeqertarsuaq, and a tiny population in the Kangerluk settlement.
Qeqertarsuaq is connected to other towns in the Disko Bay – Ilulissat, Aasiaat and Qasigiannguit – either by helicopters or boats.
Arriving to Qeqertarsuaq by boat (summer)
Between May 15th and November 15th, transportation to and from Qeqertarsuaq is by boat.
The majority of people book tickets with Disko Line. Disko Line is a Greenlandic shipping company that provides passenger services in western Greenland particularly around Disko Bay. Disko Line operates scheduled routes between Qeqertarsuaq and either Ilulissat, Aasiaat or Qasigiannguit.
You can buy your ticket and see sheduled routes here:
To arrange a private charter between the towns in the Disko Bay is also possible – however it is often a more costly option. Disko Line offers private charters in the Disko Bay as well and so does Qeqertarsuaq Boat Tours and a number of other operators in the area.
Arriving to Qeqertarsuaq by helicopter (winter)
When winter arrives and sea ice forms in the Disko Bay, the only way to arrive to and from Qeqertarsuaq is by helicopter operated by Air Greenland. Helicopters operate between Novembver 15th and May 15th. Most departures will be between Ilulissat and Qeqertasuaq, but you can also fly between Aasiaat and Qeqertarsuaq.
You can buy your ticket and see scheduled routes here:
Whether you sail or fly by helicopter to Qeqertarsuaq, it is part of your adventure. The Disko Bay is dotted by icebergs and frequented by whales and other sea animals – so keep your eyes open!
Do you need help planning your trip to Qeqertarsuaq?
The infrastructure in the world largest island – Greenland – with few and far apart towns and a sparse population can make trip planning a challenge for some of you. In that case, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the travel agencies such as Greenland by Topas which can assist you in planning your journey.
How to get to Disko Island from Ilulissat
Traveling from Ilulissat to Disko Island, Qeqertarsuaq, involves various transportation options due to the remote location of Qeqertarsuaq. The primary modes of transport are by air or sea.
Sailing from Ilulissat and Aasiaat with Disko Line to Qeqertarsuaq is available from May 15th to November 15th, with most departures from Ilulissat.
During winter, the trip from Ilulissat and Aasiaat will be by helicopter by Air Greenland.
Another option is traveling by sea. In the summer months, the Coastal Ship, Arctic Umiaq Line, operates between South Greenland, Nuuk and Ilulissat/Aasiaat. This form of transportation provides a natural connection between Greenlandic towns in the summer but might take longer.
How to get to Disko Island from Nuuk
Traveling from Nuuk to Disko Island, Qeqertarsuaq, involves various transportation options due to the remote location of Qeqertarsuaq. There are no direct roads between the two towns, so the primary modes of transport are by air or sea.
By air, flights from Nuuk to airports like Ilulissat or Aasiaat with Air Greenland are available, and from there, travelers can sail further to Qeqertarsuaq with Disko Line. The flight offers stunning aerial views of Greenland’s landscapes.
Flights are subject to weather conditions and availability, so booking tickets in advance is advisable.
How to get to Disko Island from South Greenland
Getting to Qeqertarsuaq from South Greenland typically involves multiple transportation methods due to the significant distance and lack of direct routes.
Travelers need to take a domestic flight from cities in South Greenland, such as Qaqortoq, to Nuuk first. From Nuuk, they can then fly to Ilulissat or Aasiaat, from where they can sail or fly by helicopter to Qeqertarsuaq. Refer to the previous section on traveling from Nuuk to Qeqertarsuaq.
How to get to Disko Island from Denmark
The travel to Qeqertarsuaq from Denmark typically involves flying to Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ) from Copenhagen Airport (CPH). Alternatively, flights are available from Billund Airport (BLL) or Aalborg Airport (AAL). From Kangerlussuaq, one can take a domestic flight to Ilulissat, and the onward journey to Qeqertarsuaq is by ship or helicopter depending on weather and season. It’s also possible to fly directly from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Ilulissat via Iceland Air.
Air Greenland operates flights between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq as well as from Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat. It’s important to note that schedules may change due to weather conditions or other factors.
How to get to Disko Island from other countries
Traveling to Qeqertarsuaq from other countries typically involves flights to major international airports, such as Keflavik in Iceland (KEF) or Copenhagen in Denmark (CPH). From these airports, travelers can follow the previously mentioned steps to reach Qeqertarsuaq, typically involving connecting flights to Greenland’s domestic airports (SFJ to JAV) and then onwards to Qeqertarsuaq. Various airlines and travel agencies facilitate these routes, and it’s crucial to plan and book tickets well in advance due to limited availability and seasonal variations in schedules.
Do you need help planning your trip to Qeqertarsuaq?
If you’re traveling from Denmark or other countries, we would recommend reaching out to a travel agency such as Greenland by Topas, which can assist you in planning your journey. Are you are a danish traveler, you can also join a group travel with danish guide from Topas Travel.
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