Complete Greenland Wildlife Guide: Encounters on Arctic Sailing Expeditions

Greenland's vast territory hosts a remarkable diversity of wildlife adapted to one of Earth's most extreme environments. The world's largest island offers pristine wilderness where animals thrive in relative isolation. Our Greenland sailing expeditions navigate through the icy waters and dramatic fjords, bringing adventurers close to this extraordinary ecosystem while maintaining respect for its fragile balance.

Muskox
The prehistoric-looking muskox stands as one of Greenland's most distinctive land mammals. With their long shaggy coat and impressive curved horns, these Ice Age survivors have inhabited Greenland for millennia.

Muskoxen travel in herds for protection against predators, particularly during calving season. Their remarkable adaptation to the Arctic includes a two-layer coat with an outer layer of long guard hairs and an inner insulating layer called qiviut—one of the warmest natural fibers in the world.

Greenlandic Reindeer
The Greenlandic reindeer is a subspecies of caribou explicitly adapted to the harsh Arctic environment of Greenland. Unlike their counterparts in other Arctic regions, Greenlandic reindeer have shorter legs and more compact bodies—adaptations that help conserve heat in the extreme cold. Their thick double-layered coat changes seasonally, with a dense woolly undercoat providing insulation and longer hollow guard hairs offering protection from wind and moisture. The distinctive antlers, present in both males and females, can span over a meter wide in mature bulls and are shed and regrown annually.

These highly nomadic mammals undertake seasonal migrations between coastal summer feeding grounds and inland winter territories, where they dig through the snow with their broad hooves to access lichen and vegetation beneath.

Arctic Fox
The adaptable Arctic fox changes its coat seasonally — it is pure white in winter and brownish-grey in summer. These resourceful predators have remarkable cold-weather adaptations, including fur-covered paws, compact bodies, and excellent insulation, allowing them to remain active throughout the harsh Arctic winter.

Arctic foxes can be spotted near bird colonies along the coastal areas we explore during the Greenland Photography Expedition, where they hunt for eggs and chicks. Their hunting territories often follow coastlines, making them perfect subjects for wildlife photography from our sailing vessel.

Arctic Hare
Larger than its southern relatives, the Arctic hare sports a brilliant white winter coat that changes to grey-brown in summer. These surprisingly fast animals can reach up to 60 km/h when threatened. Their powerful hind legs allow them to stand upright to survey their surroundings—a distinctive posture often observed during our expeditions.

Arctic hares gather in groups, particularly in winter, when dozens may cluster together for warmth. They can be observed feeding on the sparse vegetation of Greenland's coastal regions.

Walrus
With their distinctive tusks and massive bodies weighing up to 1,800 kg, walruses are among Greenland waters' most impressive marine mammals. These social animals gather in groups called "haul-outs" on ice floes and shores to rest between feeding dives.

Seals of Greenland
Greenland's waters host several seal species that play crucial roles in both the marine ecosystem and traditional Inuit culture:

• Ringed Seal: The most common Arctic seal, recognized by its distinctive ring patterns and crucial to polar bear diet.
• Harp Seal: Known for its distinctive "harp" pattern on the back and sides of adults.
• Bearded Seal: Distinguished by its impressive whiskers and important in traditional Inuit subsistence.
• Hooded Seal: Males possess an inflatable hood and nasal sac used in impressive display behaviors.

Whales of Greenland Waters
The coastal waters of Greenland host several baleen whale species during summer feeding seasons:

• Humpback Whales: Known for spectacular breaching displays and complex songs, humpbacks migrate to Greenland's waters to feed on krill and small fish.
• Fin Whales: The second-largest animal on Earth, fin whales can be identified by their tall, columnar blow and distinctive asymmetrical coloration.
• Minke Whales: The smallest of the baleen whales in Greenland waters, minkes are often curious and may approach vessels.

Greenland hosts significant seabird populations, particularly during the breeding season:

Atlantic Puffin
The charismatic Atlantic puffin — often called the "sea parrot" due to its colorful bill—is among the most beloved seabirds encountered during our Greenland expeditions. Standing only about 25 cm tall, these stocky birds are instantly recognizable by their black and white plumage and the distinctive triangular bill that blazes with orange, yellow, and blue during the breeding season (fading to a duller grey in winter). Their comical waddling gait on land contrasts dramatically with their remarkable abilities at sea, where they can dive to depths of 60 meters and use their short wings to "fly" underwater in pursuit of small fish.

Brünnich's Guillemot
Also known as the thick-billed murre, Brünnich's guillemot is one of the most numerous seabirds in Greenland, with breeding colonies numbering in the hundreds of thousands. These sturdy, penguin-like birds are instantly recognizable by their black upperparts, white underparts, and distinctive thick bill with a white line along the gape. Their wings are relatively small but powerful, allowing them to "fly" underwater to depths of up to 150 meters in pursuit of fish and crustaceans while using their feet as rudders for remarkable maneuverability.

During the breeding season, Brünnich's guillemots gather on narrow cliff ledges in densely packed colonies. Each pair raises a single chick without building a nest. Their eggs are pear-shaped, preventing them from rolling off ledges if disturbed.

Northern Fulmar
The Northern fulmar, a relative of albatrosses, is one of the most commonly encountered seabirds during our Greenland expeditions. These medium-sized seabirds display two color morphs in Greenland waters: the light morph with predominantly white plumage and grey wings and the darker blue-grey morph. Distinguished by their distinctive tube-like nostrils atop their bills — an adaptation that allows them to excrete excess salt — fulmars are masterful gliders that can stay aloft for hours using air currents without a single wing flap, even in the strongest gales.

Northern fulmars possess a unique defense mechanism: when threatened, they can project foul-smelling stomach oil up to several meters with remarkable accuracy, deterring predators and competitors.

White-tailed Eagle
The majestic white-tailed eagle — Europe's largest eagle—is a powerful apex predator in Greenland's coastal regions. With a wingspan reaching up to 2.4 meters and distinctive broad, rectangular wings held flat during soaring, these raptors are unmistakable in flight. Adults display a pale head and neck contrasting with darker brown body plumage, and their namesake—a short, wedge-shaped white tail—becomes more prominent with age. Their massive yellow bill and piercing eyes complete the image of aerial dominance.

White-tailed eagles build enormous nests in cliff faces or trees, often returning to the same site for decades and adding material each year until structures may reach 2 meters across and weigh hundreds of kilograms.

Rock Ptarmigan
The rock ptarmigan is one of the few bird species that remains in Greenland year-round, showcasing remarkable adaptations to extreme Arctic conditions. These medium-sized grouse undergo dramatic seasonal plumage changes—pure white in winter except for black tail feathers, providing near-perfect camouflage against snow, then molting to mottled brown-grey summer plumage that blends with rocky tundra. Their feathered feet act as natural snowshoes, distributing weight to prevent sinking in snow while providing crucial insulation against the frozen ground.

Rock ptarmigan inhabit open tundra and rocky slopes throughout coastal Greenland. They feed primarily on vegetation, including buds, catkins, and berries, though chicks depend on insects for protein during early development.

Snow Bunting
The melodious snow bunting is often called the "snowflake bird" for both its appearance in flight and its status as a harbinger of spring in Greenland. Males display striking black-and-white plumage during breeding season, while females and winter birds show more mottled, buff-tinged patterns. As one of the northernmost breeding songbirds in the world, snow buntings arrive in Greenland as early as April, when much of the landscape remains locked in winter's grip, establishing territories in rocky areas where their sweet, tinkling songs provide the soundtrack to the awakening Arctic.

These hardy birds nest in rock crevices and cavities that protect their eggs and young from predators and harsh weather, with males often displaying near potential nest sites to attract females.

Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon reigns as the ultimate aerial predator in Greenland's skies, embodying speed and precision in its purest form. Slightly smaller than the gyrfalcon but more widespread across Greenland, peregrines are recognized by their distinctive dark "helmet" and mustache markings contrasting with a white throat and cheeks, steel-blue upperparts, and barred underparts. These cosmopolitan raptors have earned worldwide fame for their hunting prowess, particularly their spectacular hunting stoops—reaching speeds over 320 km/h, making them the fastest animals on Earth as they fold their wings and plummet toward prey.

Peregrines typically establish territories on cliff faces overlooking productive hunting grounds like seabird colonies or coastal wetlands, where they can observe potential prey from commanding vantage points.

Common Eider
The common eider stands as one of Greenland's most culturally and ecologically significant birds, integrated deeply into local traditions and coastal ecosystems. Males display distinctive black and white plumage with a pale green nape, black cap, and rosy wash on the breast, while females wear cryptic brown barred plumage essential for camouflage during nesting. These large, heavy-bodied sea ducks spend most of their lives in coastal marine environments, diving for mollusks, crustaceans, and other marine invertebrates which they swallow whole and crush with their powerful gizzards.
The eider holds special importance in Greenlandic culture through the tradition of eiderdown harvesting. Females pluck the extraordinarily insulating down from their breasts to line their nests, and for generations, Greenlandic communities have sustainably harvested this valuable material after nesting season.

King Eider
The magnificent king eider represents Arctic royalty with its spectacular breeding plumage and regal bearing. Males sport an unmistakable profile featuring a bright orange shield-like knob above their bill, pale blue crown, black cap, creamy white breast, and black-and-white body—arguably the most ornate plumage among all Arctic birds. Females, similar to common eiders but distinguished by their more reddish-brown coloration and different head shape, maintain the species' cryptic camouflage during the vulnerable nesting period. These robust sea ducks are slightly smaller than common eiders but share their adaptation to marine life, with specialized salt glands allowing them to drink seawater.

King eiders undertake some of the most impressive migrations of any Arctic bird, with many individuals wintering in the polynyas (areas of open water surrounded by sea ice) of Southwest Greenland before dispersing to breeding grounds across the High Arctic.

Snow Goose
The snow goose presents a striking sight against Greenland's summer landscapes with its pristine white plumage accented by black wingtips, though a "blue morph" with grey-blue body and white head also occurs occasionally in Greenlandic populations. Medium-sized among geese, these highly social birds are distinguished by their pink bills with a distinctive "grinning patch"—a black line resembling a smile along the cutting edge. Their characteristic high-pitched, nasal calls announce their presence long before they become visible, particularly when traveling in the large, undulating flocks that typify their movements.

Snow geese breed primarily in northeastern Greenland, establishing colonies on tundra near wetlands where they construct shallow nest cups lined with down and plant material. Both parents aggressively defend their young, with adults standing guard while goslings feed on tender vegetation.

Different sailing routes offer varied wildlife encounters:

• The East Greenland Sailing • Denmark Strait Crossing provides excellent opportunities for spotting polar bears, seals, and narwhals along ice edges.
• Our Greenland Photography Expedition • Coastal Sailing Journey focuses on optimal wildlife photography conditions in fjords and coastal areas.
• The South Greenland Sailing Week • Viking Waters offers encounters with whales, seabirds, and the unique fauna of South Greenland's more temperate environment.

Greenland's wildlife faces challenges from climate change and increasing human activity. During our expeditions, we adhere to strict guidelines for responsible wildlife viewing:

• Maintaining safe distances from all animals
• Never pursue or disturbing wildlife
• Limiting our environmental footprint
• Supporting conservation through education and awareness

Participants in our sailing expeditions gain not just sightings of these remarkable creatures but a deeper understanding of Arctic ecosystems and the importance of their preservation.

For the best wildlife viewing experiences on our Svalbard sailing expeditions:

• Bring quality binoculars (minimum 8x42 recommended)
• Pack a camera with telephoto lens capabilities
• Wear layers of quiet, non-rustling clothing in neutral colors
• Practice patience and quiet observation
• Keep expectations flexible, as wildlife encounters are never guaranteed

The unique perspective of exploring from a sailing vessel offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities. From the deck of our expedition yacht, observe muskoxen grazing on coastal slopes, watch whales feeding in nutrient-rich waters, or witness thousands of seabirds wheeling around towering cliffs.
Join one of our upcoming expeditions to experience the extraordinary wildlife of Greenland while sailing through one of Earth's last true wilderness areas.