When Is the Best Time to Visit the Arctic? A Month-by-Month Guide
For the hardy polar explorer any season is worth spending in the high Arctic, but there are differences to the experience you’ll get based on when you visit. Find out what the top destinations of the Arctic have in store for visitors during each season and create your own personalized itinerary!
When is the Best Time to Visit the Arctic?
A trip to the high Arctic is an unforgettable adventure, and there are activities you can enjoy year-round! While winter can be magical (imagine pristine snowscapes and the aurora borealis), summer is still the best time if you’re looking for outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife watching. With plenty of daylight during the midnight sun and average temperatures around 3C (37F) to 13C (55F), it’s prime time to visit Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. From June to September, pack ice has receded and expedition cruises become possible.
Board a cruise in Svalbard to the polar ice cap (for polar bear watching), Northeast Greenland National Park or one that combines the highlights of the Arctic. Ready to step aboard? See what cruises depart north and secure your spot now.
Visiting the Arctic in June
In June, warmer temperatures return to the Arctic, snow and ice disappear and travelers from around the globe are getting ready to head north. With the Greenlandic summer starting, ice in the inner fjords melts and the sun stays on the horizon for 24 hours a day. The closer you get to the North Pole, the more intense you’ll experience the polar day. Visiting Greenland in June will give you the opportunity to experience Greenland’s national day celebrations on June 21. Explore the unique cultural events, music and national costumes while enjoying the Greenlandic summer vibes.
With the polar summer starting, it’s also a good time to visit the Svalbard archipelago. Explore the northernmost town in the world (Longyearbyen), enjoy the midnight sun and explore the archipelago in depth. With sea ice melting, boat trips and expedition cruises finally become possible after the long winter months. Wildlife returns to the islands and you can catch polar bears hunting on pack ice (your cruise will find the best places near the polar ice edge to spot them) or enjoy whale watching from the deck of your expedition ship.
Visiting the Arctic in July-August
The tundra is in bloom, temperatures are rising and you have the perfect weather conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking – July and August are the most popular times to visit the Arctic. Temperatures in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, range from around 6C to 12C (43-54F) in July and 5C to 9C (41-48F) in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard. The tundra is full of life during the summer months, which makes for the best adventures. A popular spot for hiking enthusiasts is the Arctic Circle Trail, a multi-day long-distance hiking route in West Greenland (Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut).
During the summer months, there are regular flights to the Arctic’s top destinations operated by Air Greenland, Norwegian and Scandinavian Airlines. Air Greenland flies to Nuuk (Greenland) from Iceland and Denmark, and connections to Svalbard depart from Oslo and Tromsø in Norway. Visit Greenland and Svalbard in summer to see iconic animals such as polar bears, walruses, humpback whales, Arctic foxes, reindeer and musk oxen. See the biggest icebergs and glaciers calving on Greenland’s west coast at Disko Bay (an absolute must-see during your Greenland trip)!
And if you’ve always dreamed of an exciting expedition cruise in the Arctic, summer is the best time to visit. Need some ideas for your ultimate Arctic summer adventure? Board a cruise and see Scoresby Sund, Northeast Greenland National Park (the northernmost national park in the world) and the incredible Franz Josef and Kong Oscar Fjords in East Greenland. If Svalbard is your destination, consider an in-depth exploration of the remote parts of the archipelago.
Visiting the Arctic in September
Less tourists, less mosquitos and beautiful sunsets – autumn in the Arctic is a treat for those who aren’t afraid to experience colder weather and the first snow. Avid photographers love the sunsets and sunrises in Svalbard during this time and wildlife enthusiasts can still spot polar bears and walruses on the archipelago.
While most would not consider September the best time to visit Greenland, there are many benefits to an autumn trip. From late August to late September, you can depart on backcountry hiking trails and experience the autumn colors of the tundra (without those pesky mosquitoes). While Greenland’s weather in autumn may be cold and wet, you get prime opportunities for seeing the northern lights, with nights returning after the long polar day period. It’s also the time that northern lights cruises depart to the prime viewing spots in East Greenland.
Visiting the Arctic in October - May
Early October may bring snow to the region. Average winter temperatures in Greenland range around -18C (0F) and Svalbard can get as cold as -20C (-4F) in mid-January, with low humidity as it is a polar desert. During winter, you’ll experience the full polar night and northern lights are a popular attraction inside the Arctic Circle regions. With daylight returning around February, you can experience Greenland off the peak season, enjoying winter outdoor sports such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dog sledding.
When is the Best Time to See Animals in the Arctic?
The best time to visit Greenland and Svalbard for wildlife viewing is May to September. Migratory birds return and, with the onset of summer, polar bear activity is at its highest. Iconic Arctic species such as Arctic fox and reindeer roam the blooming tundra and whales are frequenting the northern oceans. With Arctic wildlife spread out over the large distances in Greenland and Svalbard, the best way to maximize your encounters is to join a cruise. With hardly any roads outside the main cities, an expedition ship with an experienced crew is the best way to explore in-depth. Equipped with small, motorized Zodiac boats, you can head out in small groups to the most secluded spots where wildlife thrives undisturbed.
Join a real Arctic wildlife safari! Choose your cruise now!
The Best Time to See Polar Bears in Svalbard
You can see polar bears as early as May, but for the best sightings, we recommended visiting from June to August. While you can even run into a polar bear just outside of Longyearbyen (remember to never leave the city limits without a professional guide), the best sightings are away from populated areas. Polar bears hunt on pack ice around the northern parts of the island (best accessible via ship).
When to See Whales in the Arctic
The middle of summer is when whales roam the Arctic waters before they migrate south during the winter. You can spot 15 species around Greenland and Svalbard during the summer months and three species (beluga, narwhal and bowhead) even stay year-round.
In Greenland, great spots to see species like humpback whales are located in the fjords around Nuuk (West Greenland), Paamiut (South Greenland) and Disko Bay. In East Greenland, you can see narwhals (they prefer cooler waters). In Svalbard, the best whale watching spots are on the west coast. Take your best advice from our expedition team: prime whale watching isn’t done on land. We recommend boarding a small cruise to get as close as possible without disturbing the animals. We’ve even experienced these gentle giants swim by us during small boat Zodiac cruising!
The Best Time to See Walruses in the Arctic
Visit in summer if you want to spot these gigantic pinnipeds in the Arctic! While in North and East Greenland you can see walruses on land, in West Greenland they generally do not appear on land and your chances of seeing them drifting on ice floes are better. While this makes for amazing pictures, you’ll need a professional guide and boat tour to reach them.
On the Svalbard archipelago, Borebukta is a popular spot for walrus safaris. You can see them lazing in large groups on ice floes, even in late summer. While generally you can see walruses in the Arctic year-round, they spend winters off the coast. That, and dense sea ice that doesn’t allow for regular cruises, makes it difficult to get to them in winter.
When to See Reindeer in the Arctic
There are three species of reindeer in Greenland: the native wild barren-ground reindeer, the semi-domestic mountain reindeer (introduced from Norway in 1952) and the smaller Peary caribou. On the Svalbard archipelago, you can find the Svalbard reindeer, which arrived on the islands somewhere at the end of the last ice age over 11,000 years ago. The Svalbard reindeer’s fur turns lighter in winter. Male reindeers develop their antlers from April to July, and then shed the velvet antler cover in late summer, before losing them at the beginning of winter.
Summer is great to see reindeer roaming the blooming tundra, but larger herds gather during the autumn and winter when large groups gather near feeding grounds. With their eyes sensitive to ultraviolet light, they cope with long, dark winters perfectly. Their dense layers of fur insulate them from the cold, and their large hooved feet dig through the snow to feed on scarce vegetation.
FAQs
What is the best month to go to Greenland?
Summer is great for hiking, wildlife viewing, boat trips and cruises. Autumn and winter are great to see the northern lights, and late winter/early spring (e.g. February) is great for winter outdoor activities.
What’s the best time to see the northern lights in Greenland?
Autumn and winter are the best times to see aurora borealis.
How many days do you need to visit Greenland?
A visit to the capital may require a few days, while a full-scope expedition including West, East and South Greenland may take several weeks. If you’re planning an expedition cruise, we recommend around two weeks.
Is Greenland an expensive place to visit?
Being a very remote place, Greenland travel is on the pricier side. Since there are no roads outside the cities, getting around the country may involve boat and airplane travel, which can add up if you plan to visit a lot of places. You can book an expedition cruise and get an all-inclusive deal (for better budget control), which will cover accommodation aboard, all meals, Zodiac excursions and professional tour guides.