Oceanwide Expeditions

RVR06 Disko Bay - Whale Safari 2012

RVR06

Day 1 - We arrive in Aasiaat from Reykjavik by chartered plane (flight not included in the voyage cost). Aasiaat, is a settlement which was created in the 17th century to support the whaling at the mouth of Disko Bay. Its port is ice free  from late spring to early winter.

Day 2 - The island groups of Hunde Ejland and Kronprinsens Ejland, at the mouth of Disko Bay, are surrounded by rich waters which attract both seabirds and whales. We intend to call at the small settlement on Hunde Eijland where old dwellings of Greenlands’s Thule culture (dating from the 11th Century) and graves from 18th Century Dutch whalers can be seen. Later we will make Zodiac excursions in the beautiful narrows of the Kronprinsens Ejland archipelago. This day we will have good opportunities to observe foraging Greenland Whales in the mouth of Disko Bay.

Day 3 - Another day with good opportunities to see Greenland Whales, when we sail to Disko Island and land at Engelskmandens Havn and Fortunebay near Qeqertarsuaq (Godhavn), where there are warm springs.

Day 4 - Today we sail to Flakkerhuk, on the east side of Disko Island, making our way through waters dominated by huge icebergs. We intend to land at several points along the coast, like Narujuk and Modderbugt to observe a population of birds typical to the High Arctic, with species such as Long-tailed Skuas, Turnstones and Grey Phalaropes. The birds breed on a beautiful tundra landscape backed by basalt cliffs. Good walkers may walk to Skansen, and re-join the ship there.

Day 5 - At Naajat, on the north side of Oqaatsut, we sail with zodiacs along a Kittiwake colony of more than 10,000 breeding pairs. Near Anitdlagia we have a fine opportunity to land and watch the Kittiwakes from land. At Langebugt we land and make an excursion to a beautiful lake, Eqaluernerit Taserssuat.

Day 6 - Sailing through Ata Sund we reach the Eqip Sermia a great glacier front, where the French explorer De Quervain built his station and ascended to the icecap.

Day 7 - Today we sail along the large Jakobshavn Glacier with its enormous icebergs. South of it we climb the hill at Avangnardlit from where we have a fantastic view across the Jakobshavn Isfjord, which is a World Heritage site. In the afternoon we call at Illulissat,  provided we are not prevented access to the port by heavy ice.

Day 8 - We arrive in Aasiaat.  At mid-day we fly from Aasiaat to Reykjavik by chartered plane (flight not included in the voyage cost).