Port information & tips for Storøen Island
The island of Storøen is an untouched natural jewel in the heart of the Greenlandic Arctic and a fascinating destination for discerning expedition cruises. The island captivates with its dramatic mountain backdrop, glittering icebergs, and a majestic silence that creates a deeply impressive atmosphere thanks to the vast tundra landscapes. Highlights include discovery tours in the so-called Quartz Desert to search for fossils, as well as hikes with panoramic views of the Uummannaq Fjord and the mighty bird cliffs of Qingartarsuaq. As the island has no commercial terminal, cruise ships use a sheltered anchorage in the bay, from which guests can safely reach the natural landing site by Zodiac while enjoying direct access to the spectacular wilderness far from any civilization.
Arrival & Departure
Getting around
Highlights & Districts
Useful tips
Returning to the ship
Storøen, a remote island in Greenland's Uummannaq Fjord, is primarily a stop for expedition cruises and is therefore not directly accessible via land routes. Guests from the DACH region usually reach Greenland via Fly & Cruise, as there are no roads between Greenlandic settlements. The journey generally requires several stages to the port of embarkation, often with stopovers in Copenhagen or Iceland.
Airplane (to Greenland)
The main travel routes from the DACH region to Greenland usually lead via Copenhagen (CPH) or Reykjavik (KEF). From there, Air Greenland and Icelandair offer flights to the international Greenlandic airports of Kangerlussuaq (SFJ), Nuuk (GOH), Ilulissat (JAV), or Narsarsuaq (UAK). Kangerlussuaq is traditionally the most important hub with direct connections to Copenhagen. Due to the long flight duration and possible flight schedule changes, it is recommended to travel with a sufficient time buffer.
Arrival at the embarkation port & local transfer
Since Storøen itself has no classic port infrastructure and is reached by boat from places like Uummannaq, the actual embarkation for cruises that call at Storøen usually takes place in a larger Greenlandic port such as Kangerlussuaq or Narsarsuaq. From the airports in Greenland, the transfer to the ship is usually organized by the cruise line, often by bus or local shuttles to the pier. Storøen is then visited during the cruise by Zodiac or smaller expedition boats, as many landings in Greenland are tender-based.
Pre-cruise hotel
An overnight stay before embarkation in Copenhagen or directly at the Greenlandic embarkation port is highly recommended due to the long journey and the unique logistics of Greenland. This ensures a relaxed start to your expedition journey and simultaneously provides a buffer for eventual flight delays. Many cruise lines also offer Fly & Cruise packages including pre-cruise overnight stays to make the journey as comfortable as possible.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
Even during the trip: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
The island of Storøen welcomes you with its untouched Greenlandic wilderness and, thanks to direct landing by boat, allows immediate access to the impressive tundra landscape.
Tender boats and Zodiacs
Since the island does not have a traditional cruise pier, the ship's own Zodiacs or tender boats will bring you safely and comfortably directly to the coast. These trips also offer initial fantastic views of the striking mountain massifs and the clear water of the Nuup Kangerlua Fjord.
On foot
The best way to explore the island's untouched nature is on hikes directly from the landing site. The moss-covered tundra and gentle slopes are easy to explore on foot and lead you to viewpoints with a wide panorama over the Arctic island world.
Expedition boats
Specialized expedition boats are often available for exploration along the rugged coastline. These allow you to observe the surrounding ice formations and marine wildlife from close range while venturing deeper into the remote fjord branches.
To optimally explore the fascinating wilderness of the island of Storøen, we recommend focusing on the geological features of the coast as well as the cultural diversity of the neighboring settlement areas in the Uummannaq Fjord.
The Quartz Desert of Salliaruseq
The vast landscapes of the island captivate with their striking mineral hues and, thanks to the numerous sites for fossils and quartz crystals, are an ideal destination for natural history discovery tours.
The Settlement of Saattut
This traditional village is easily accessible by boat and, thanks to its colorful architecture and the original lifestyle of the Inuit, allows for an authentic encounter with Greenlandic culture directly by the water.
The Bird Cliff of Qingartarsuaq
The monumental sheer cliffs rise hundreds of meters out of the Arctic Ocean and, thanks to the massive colonies of northern fulmars, offer an unforgettable natural spectacle in a spectacular Arctic setting.
The Panorama Paths of Storøen
The island of Storøen in the Nuuk Fjord is a spectacular destination for nature lovers and can be excellently explored directly from the Zodiac pier via the coastal hiking trails. A short climb to the viewpoints rewards you with a wide panoramic view over the deep blue fjord network and the surrounding, snow-capped peaks of the Arctic. The untouched landscape creates an atmosphere of complete silence and is also perfect for first-class landscape photography. Ideally, start your excursion with the first tender group in the morning to enjoy the clear light and undisturbed nature in peace. Plan your return to the pier about thirty minutes before the last departure so that you can conclude your stay in a relaxed manner on the shore and return to the ship on time.
The return journey to the landing site on Storøen Island is designed to be very reliable and simple through the organized use of tenders and accompaniment by professional staff.
Tender boats and Zodiacs
The direct connection between the shore and your ship is ensured by a regular shuttle service with the ship's own tender boats or Zodiacs. You will find the landing site at the marked beach section, where staff will be available throughout the entire period to provide you with comfortable boarding for the return trip.
Expedition team as coordinators
At the central meeting points on the beach, members of the expedition team ensure a smooth process and provide you with information about the next departures. Thanks to these permanent local contacts, you are always informed about the schedule and will return on board safely and on time.
On foot via marked hiking trails
The return paths from the island's viewpoints lead back directly to the landing site via clearly visible paths and are easy to recognize thanks to markings. Since orientation in the open landscape is easy thanks to the clear topography and the support of the guides, you will reach the meeting point on the shore without detours after your exploration.
