East Greenland is one of the most remote and spectacular wilderness regions on Earth. Here, towering mountains plunge directly into icy fjords, glaciers flow down from the Greenland Ice Sheet, and small coastal settlements sit between vast stretches of untouched Arctic landscape. For travelers exploring the Ammassalik region—around Kulusuk, Tasiilaq, Kuummiit, and Tiniteqilaaq—the wilderness does not end at the shoreline. Just offshore, the cold waters of the North Atlantic host an extraordinary diversity of whales.
During the summer months, when the sea ice retreats and the Arctic sun shines almost around the clock, whales arrive in East Greenland’s fjords to feed. The waters surrounding Ammassalik Island and the great Sermilik Fjord become seasonal feeding grounds where some of the largest animals on Earth pass through.
For hikers following coastal trails, sailing between villages, or watching the ocean from a fjord viewpoint, seeing a whale surface in these icy waters is an unforgettable experience.
Why Whales Visit East Greenland
The waters of East Greenland may appear harsh and empty at first glance, but beneath the surface they are remarkably productive. During spring and summer, melting sea ice and longer daylight hours trigger enormous blooms of plankton. These microscopic organisms support fish, krill, and other marine life, which in turn attract whales.
The geography of the Ammassalik region enhances these conditions. Fjords such as Sermilik Fjord and Karale Fjord channel ocean currents and glacial meltwater into narrow waterways. Nutrients from the deep ocean mix with cold glacial runoff, creating rich feeding areas for marine animals.
At the same time, steep mountains and island chains provide sheltered coastal routes. Whales travelling along the East Greenland coast often move through these waters while searching for dense feeding patches.
For visitors hiking along Ammassalik Island or travelling by boat between settlements, these natural conditions create surprising opportunities to encounter whales.
Fin Whales: The Fast Giants of the Fjords
Among the most impressive whales seen in East Greenland are fin whales. These animals are the second largest species on Earth, reaching lengths of nearly 20 metres and weighing up to 70 tonnes.
Fin whales are sometimes called the “greyhounds of the sea” because of their speed and streamlined bodies. Unlike humpback whales, which often linger in one place while feeding, fin whales frequently travel long distances while searching for prey.
In the waters around Kulusuk and the entrances to Sermilik Fjord, fin whales are occasionally seen surfacing with tall, vertical blows that can rise several metres above the water. From a distance, their long dark backs appear briefly before slipping beneath the surface again.
Because they move quickly and spend relatively little time at the surface, sightings are often short—but spectacular.
Humpback Whales: The Acrobats of the Arctic
Few wildlife encounters compare to seeing a humpback whale breach from the ocean.
Humpbacks are famous for their acrobatic behaviour: breaching, tail slapping, and powerful lunges through schools of fish. These whales migrate thousands of kilometres each year between tropical breeding areas and Arctic feeding grounds.
In East Greenland, humpback whales occasionally travel along the coast between Kulusuk and Tasiilaq and around the fjord systems of the Ammassalik region. Their long pectoral fins and distinctive tail flukes make them easy to recognise when they surface.
Sometimes they remain in an area for extended periods while feeding on dense schools of fish. When this happens, hikers watching from coastal viewpoints or travelers sailing between villages may witness repeated dives, fluke displays, and even the dramatic splash of a breach.
Minke Whales: Quiet Hunters of the Coast
The most commonly encountered whale along the East Greenland coast is the minke whale. Although smaller than many other baleen whales, minkes can still reach lengths of about 10 metres.
These whales are known for their quick, efficient movements. They often surface only briefly before diving again, which can make them surprisingly difficult to spot.
Minke whales frequently hunt close to shore, particularly around fjord entrances where fish gather. Around the coastal waters of Ammassalik Island and the fjords near Kuummiit and Tiniteqilaaq, they are often seen travelling alone or in small groups.
Because they prefer quieter waters and shallow feeding areas, minke whales are well adapted to navigating the narrow channels and island passages of East Greenland.
Whales Among Icebergs in Sermilik Fjord
Few places in the Arctic feel as dramatic as Sermilik Fjord. Stretching more than 150 kilometres inland, the fjord receives huge numbers of icebergs calved from glaciers flowing down from the Greenland Ice Sheet.
The result is an ever-changing landscape of drifting ice.
Despite the cold conditions, these waters support an abundance of marine life. Fish and plankton gather around the icebergs and in the mixing zones between glacial meltwater and ocean currents.
Whales sometimes appear between the icebergs, surfacing briefly before disappearing again beneath the cold fjord waters. From the shore near Tiniteqilaaq or while travelling by boat deeper into the fjord, travelers occasionally witness these rare encounters.
A whale surfacing among floating icebergs is one of the most striking images of the Arctic.
Less Common Visitors: Rare Whales of East Greenland
While fin, humpback, and minke whales are the species most likely to be seen in the Ammassalik region, several other whales occasionally pass through these waters.
Blue whales
The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have lived on Earth. Reaching lengths of up to 30 metres, these giants dwarf even the largest dinosaurs.
Blue whales are rarely seen in East Greenland, but occasional sightings suggest that they sometimes pass through offshore waters while feeding during the summer months. Because they travel long distances and surface infrequently, encounters are extremely rare.
For those lucky enough to see one, the experience is unforgettable.
Sei whales
Another rarely observed species is the sei whale. Similar in appearance to fin whales but slightly smaller, sei whales prefer deeper offshore waters and are not commonly seen close to shore.
However, during years when prey is abundant, they may occasionally appear along the East Greenland shelf.
Bowhead whales
One of the most remarkable whales of the Arctic is the bowhead whale. Unlike many other whales that migrate south during winter, bowheads are adapted to life in icy waters.
They possess extremely thick blubber and enormous skulls capable of breaking sea ice. Bowhead whales are also among the longest-lived mammals on Earth, with some individuals believed to exceed 200 years of age.
Although they are more commonly associated with the High Arctic, they are sometimes reported in the waters of East Greenland.
Orcas (Killer Whales)
Killer whales are powerful predators that occasionally appear along the East Greenland coast. These highly intelligent animals travel in social groups known as pods and are capable of hunting fish, seals, and even other whales.
In recent years, sightings of orcas in Greenland waters have increased, possibly reflecting changes in Arctic sea ice and marine ecosystems.
Seeing a pod of orcas moving through the fjords is a dramatic reminder of the Arctic ocean’s complexity.
Whale Watching From Land and Sea
A recurring theme in guided expeditions is understanding how closely wildlife is tied to seasonal rhythms. Guides often explain how sea ice governs polar bear movements, how tundra vegetation supports musk ox, and how migratory birds depend on short, intense Arctic summers.
Traveling slowly—by foot and by small boat—encourages respect for this delicate balance. Leave-no-trace practices, careful wildlife observation, and thoughtful campsite selection are standard parts of expeditions in East Greenland.Unlike many whale-watching destinations around the world, encounters in East Greenland are rarely organised or predictable.
Instead, they often happen unexpectedly.
A whale may appear while sailing between Kulusuk and Tasiilaq. Another might surface offshore while hikers follow a coastal trail on Ammassalik Island. Fishermen travelling between Kuummiit and neighboring settlements occasionally report seeing whales moving through the fjords.
Because the coastline is steep and the water deep even near shore, whales sometimes travel surprisingly close to land.
For travelers exploring this remote region, patience and attention to the ocean can sometimes lead to remarkable wildlife sightings.
A Living Arctic Ocean
The waters surrounding Kulusuk, Tasiilaq, Kuummiit, and Tiniteqilaaq form part of one of the world’s last great wilderness coastlines. Here, glaciers still meet the sea, icebergs drift through vast fjords, and marine life follows ancient migration routes through cold Arctic waters.
Whales are among the most powerful symbols of this environment. Their seasonal return each summer reflects the productivity of the Arctic Ocean and the delicate balance of life that exists beneath the ice.
For those travelling through East Greenland, the appearance of a whale’s blow on the horizon or the sudden flash of a tail among drifting icebergs can transform a journey into something unforgettable.
In a landscape already defined by wild mountains and immense glaciers, whales remind us that the true scale of the Arctic extends far beyond the land—into the deep and mysterious ocean beyond the fjords.
