Day tour · Eqi Glacier
Eqi Glacier Day Tour
A full day on the water to the calving front of Eqi, one of Greenland’s most active glaciers. Lunch, hot drinks and a local skipper on board.
Live seats and prices in the booking calendar
The short version
- Duration
- About 10 hours
- Departure
- Daily in season · 08:30
- Season
- June to September
- Group size
- Max 8 guests
- Meeting point
- Ilulissat harbour · 15 min before
- Language
- English · Danish on request
- Level
- Easy · no hiking
- Price
- Live price in the booking calendar
01 · The day, hour by hour
The day, hour by hour
Times are a guide. Ice, weather and whales decide the pace, and the skipper will always choose the safest route.
- 08:15
Meet at the harbour
Palle meets you at the pontoon in Ilulissat, hands out life jackets and checks that everyone has warm clothes for a full day at sea.
- 08:30
Safety briefing and departure
We go through the boat, the route and what to do if the weather turns. Then we head north out of the harbour.
- 09:00
North along the coast
We pass Bredebugt and the settlement of Oqaatsut, with icebergs, seabirds and a good chance of whales on the way.
- 11:00
Arrival at the glacier front
The engine goes quiet and lunch is served while we drift in front of the five kilometre wide calving front.
- 12:30
Time at the ice
We wait, watch and listen for calving. Hot drinks on deck, photos, and space to simply sit with the glacier.
- 14:00
Southbound again
Coffee and cake on the way back. If the whales are feeding, we stop. Nothing is rushed on this tour.
- 18:00
Back in Ilulissat
We dock at the harbour in the late afternoon, with time for dinner in town.
Included in the price
- Local skipper and guide for the whole day
- Heated cabin and open deck with seating
- Packed lunch, coffee, tea and water
- Life jacket and full safety equipment
- Binoculars to share on board
- Weather and ice briefing before departure
Not included
- Transport to and from the harbour
- Rental of warm clothing and boots
- Extra drinks and snacks beyond lunch
- Travel and cancellation insurance
02 · Safety on board
Safety on board
Eqi is a working glacier in cold, open water. We keep the tour calm and conservative, and the skipper has the final word.
- Life jackets are worn on the open deck and during calving. Children always wear one.
- The water is 2 to 4 °C, so we never approach the ice closer than the skipper judges safe.
- We do not land at the glacier. All glacier watching happens from the boat.
- If you are prone to seasickness, take tablets an hour before departure and tell the skipper.
- Calving can send waves through the fjord. Guests stay seated when the skipper asks.
- The route may change or the tour may be cancelled if ice or wind makes it unsafe.
Cancellation and changes
Day tours are paid in full at booking. If we cancel because of weather, ice or safety, you choose between a free rebooking and a full refund.
- Cancelled by us for weather or ice: free rebooking or full refund, no fee.
- Plans changed? Contact us as early as you can and we will always try to move your date.
- Groups of 10 to 30 follow the group terms in our trading conditions.
What to bring
- Warm layers, a windproof jacket and trousers
- Hat, gloves and sunglasses for the light off the ice
- Insulated boots with a wool sock
- Camera or phone with a power bank
- Any personal medicine, including seasickness tablets
03 · FAQ
Questions before you book
How long do we actually spend at the glacier?
Usually around two hours in front of the calving front, plus the sailing in each direction. The skipper adjusts the time so we are back before the evening.
Will we see the glacier calve?
Eqi calves almost every day in summer, but ice is unpredictable. Most guests see several calvings during a two hour stay, and nobody can promise a big one.
Is it cold on board?
Expect 5 to 10 °C on the water even in July, and colder when we drift in front of the ice. Dress in layers, bring a hat and gloves, and use the heated cabin when you need it.
Can children join?
Yes. The tour suits families, and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Bring warm clothes for them too, not just for yourself.
Do we land at Eqi or stay on the boat?
We stay on the boat. There is no landing at the glacier front, which is also why the tour is quiet and low impact.
What happens if the ice is too thick?
If the fjord is closed by ice we move the tour to another date or refund you in full. We usually know the day before and contact you directly.
Is there a toilet on board?
Yes, a small toilet in the cabin. We recommend using it before departure as well.