Blog

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The Legacy of the Thule Culture – Legend of the Norse, Tamers of Greenland

The mysterious Thule culture has left its mark on this wild, beautiful land, and its presence continues to be felt through the oral traditions and culture of its modern-day descendants, the Greenlandic Inuit.

What to do, see and experience in Greenland

There are so many things to do in Greenland and fantastic, awe-inspiring places to see in Greenland.

Reconnecting with an ancient world: Long hikes in Scoresby Sund

Our long hikes connect guests with nature in ways they hadn't before thought possible.

The how, why, and when of visiting Greenland

We're sharing some of our insights, top tips, and must-do's for a trip to Greenland.

The tragic tale of Franklin's lost expedition

Perhaps one of the most well-known and tragic polar expeditions to have pursued the Northwest Passage was led by Sir John Franklin, a British sailor, Royal Navy officer, and explorer.

Hondius begins her Arctic season, with other ships to follow

Oceanwide’s Polar Class 6 vessel Hondius set sail from her homeport Vlissingen in the Netherlands on Sunday, delivering passengers to her first Arctic voyage of the season.

Kite Skiing the Greenland Ice Sheet

Laura, a French Canadian from Quebec City with a Master’s in Geophysics and Glaciology, will make the journey in April with her dad two other team members, kiting roughly 1,700 km (1,050 miles) across the Greenland ice sheet from north to south.

Northeast Greenland National Park

Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park and the ninth largest protected area on Earth. It should come as little surprise, then, that it’s also bigger than most countries, covering an impressive 972,000 square km (375,300 square miles). This epically proportioned park not only boasts some of the best geological formations on the planet, it’s also one of the most ecologically attractive areas in all of the Arctic. In fact, you’re more likely to spot a polar bear here than perhaps any other area in Greenland.

Greenland: East vs. West

East and West Greenland are very different in terms of climate, wildlife, habitation, and geology. This means visiting them yields different experiences.

The Arctic Theater: Interview with Hans Beelen

When it comes to Arctic marine history, Hans Beelen has done his research. He has published books on the East India Company of the Netherlands as well as historic Dutch trading, and most recently has also written a study on the whaling industry of Greenland and Spitsbergen.

Arctic on Foot: Hiking and Snowshoeing the Far North

The emphasis of our voyages is always getting you off the ship and into the action as often as possible. Although we travel from site to site on ice-strengthened vessels, our expeditions are specifically designed to give you the maximum firsthand experience of the polar regions and their exotic wildlife.

Eight Facts About the Rowdy, Resilient Musk Ox

Given how violent their lives can be, it may come as some surprise that musk oxen live as long as they do. Twenty years, after all, is a long time when you’re regularly charging, kicking, and head-butting the fellow members of your herd.

The Arctic’s Most Phenomenal Fjords

Fjords are typically associated with Norway, but they are far from exclusive to that territory and are in fact a relatively common feature of the Arctic

Peaks, Fjords, and Auroras: 14 East Greenland Attractions

Nothing against the west coast, but many travelers agree it is more touristic and developed (and hence, less wild and adventurous) than Greenland’s eastern shores.

The Arctic Hare: Easter Bunny²

In preparation for Easter Sunday, let’s explore all the ways this so-called polar rabbit (which really isn’t a rabbit at all) might in fact make a better mascot than the traditional Easter bunny.

Arctic and a Coffee: Interview with a Polar Sailing Captain

Some people travel to the Arctic for the polar bears and seabirds, others for all those ice-spackled bays and peaks dusted with snow no hand will ever touch.

Where the Polar Bears Roam

Going to the Arctic without clapping eyes on a real-life polar bear might reasonably be compared to visiting Africa without seeing a giraffe or a zebra or, most analogously, a lion. Not that that’s unusual. Polar bears, after all, aren’t overabundant no matter where you go. And if you see one, you should thank your lucky stars (and watchful expedition guides) that you did. Still, if you wrap up an Arctic cruise without spotting one polar bear, you can certainly count on spotting your share of disappointed faces when you get back – your own among them.

8 Scientific Wonders of the Arctic

The Arctic’s frozen landscape not only contains scenic gems, it also prompts fascinating advances in research. Here are some of the eight best.

Tracking Greenland’s Wildlife from Space

Despite Greenland’s harsh environment, life has found a way to thrive there. If you’re lucky enough to embark on a Greenland cruise, you stand the chance of encountering many species of cold-adapted mammals, birds, and fish. Over recent decades, comprehensive research has been undertaken into the migratory patterns of these animals.

Bring out the Bowheads: Our Largest Whale Count in Years

Researchers aboard Oceanwide Expeditions vessel m/v Plancius spotted between 104—114 bowhead whales during a June 1st cruise along the east Greenland pack ice. Hailing from Wageningen Marine Research and staffed as Oceanwide expedition guides, the scientists spotted the whales over the course of seven hours while on a voyage organized by Oceanwide, Inezia Tours, and Natuurpunt, Belgium’s largest conservation entity. This number exceeds all previous bowhead whale counts, potentially a good sign given the rarity of the whale as well as its classification as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Amazing Greenland

If you ever get the chance to take a trip to Greenland, you will be amazed by its coastlines, fjords, ice-covered peaks, and great expanse of snow-covered land. You will also notice that Greenland is a rugged area with a rich diversity of life, making it a dream location for scientists as well.

Arctic Foxes: Constant Gardeners of the Arctic

The Arctic fox is a circumpolar species found across the Arctic, extending from Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard across Eurasia to North America. The species also extends its range northwards over the sea ice, having been spotted close to the North Pole.