A fabulous sea kayaking journey among the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere
Highlights
- An exceptional itinerary
- A highly experienced kayak guide
- Navigating as close as possible to humpback whales
- A journey among the largest icebergs in the northern hemisphere
- A completely self-sufficient kayak expedition
- Maximum of 6 participants
This sea kayaking adventure takes us on a journey of discovery to an absolutely fascinating part of Greenland: Disko Bay. Located on the west coast of Greenland, 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, it is home to the sea mouth of Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the fastest and most active glaciers in the world, and the largest icebergs in the northern hemisphere. In the heart of the Arctic summer, numerous humpback whales gather to feed on capelin in the calm fjords of eastern Disko Island. Our single-seater kayaks, with their typical Greenlandic design, are symply perfect for setting off on this great journey among the drifting ice giants and as close as possible to the cetaceans.
Descriptif
Our expertise: sea kayaking and Greenland
We explore Greenland on skis in winter, but when summer comes, our passion for sea kayaking takes over. And we are convinced that there is no better way to explore the icy fjords than in the boat designed by the Greenlanders themselves over 4,000 years ago!
The shape of our “qajak” is directly inspired by Greenlandic designs. We have chosen to navigate exclusively in single-seater kayaks (two-seater kayaks do not exist in Greenlandic culture) in order to offer you the best possible experience, as well as maximum freedom and maneuverability.
Originally, Arctic kayaks were designed solely for hunting (with harpoons). Our modern kayaks are made of polyethylene and are extremely durable, with a comfortable cockpit and numerous adjustments for comfortable navigation. Several watertight compartments allow you to store food and equipment for several days.
This exceptional trip is organized and guided by Sébastien Royer. A kayaking professional (river and sea) for over 25 years, he has racked up thousands of kilometers in Greenland and is eager to share with you the “art of paddling” and his passion for Kalaallit Nunaat.
Jour par jour
DAY 1: FLIGHT TO COPENHAGEN
Day 1
We head to the Danish capital to spend the night, as the flight to Greenland is early the next day. We always like to arrive early so we can stroll through the streets and sit on the terraces by the water (Copenhagen was voted the most pleasant city in the world in 2025!) or visit the port's most famous resident: the Little Mermaid.
DAY 2: ILULISSAT
Day 2
We take off from Copenhagen for a 4 hour 45 minute flight to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland on the west coast. After a short stopover, we continue north for a 1 hour 20 minute flight to Ilulissat, where we usually arrive in the middle of the afternoon. The arrival is always spectacular, with icebergs drifting just outside the city.
A short taxi ride takes us to our accommodation in the city center, which will be our base camp for organizing the logistics of our trip. We meet up with our kayak fleet and sort through all the equipment before taking it to the seaside. Then we stock up on food and gas for the stoves in one of the city's two large supermarkets.
Once our equipment is ready for our departure the next day, we can go and try some local specialties in one of the restaurants near our accommodation: fresh cod, muskox, or seal, depending on what's available.
DAYS 3 TO 12: NAVIGATING DISKO BAY
Day 3
We leave our accommodation and head for the shore and our kayaks with all our equipment. An essential stage begins with loading the kayaks, which requires a great deal of organization. Most of the equipment is stored in the kayaks' waterproof boxes.
Then we launch our kayaks amid the often dense ice around the town and head north for the first stage of our journey.
Our kayaks are heavily loaded, but their design allows them to easily reach speeds of 4 km/h. Icebergs of all sizes surround us, and it is an indescribable pleasure to make our way through these drifting mountains of ice. The sound of cetaceans breathing carries far across the water, making them easy to spot. They feed regularly, and we can often get close enough to watch the whales swallow hundreds of pounds of fish in a matter of seconds.
At the end of the day, we start looking for a place to camp; we need a nice spot on the tundra to set up our tents and a river or lake nearby. We know the area extremely well and, of course, many camping sites, but the "exploratory" nature of this trip leads us to search for new sites, each time ever wilder and more beautiful.
Fishing enthusiasts (like us!)will have a blast getting back in their kayaks to catch some cod (we have all the necessary fishing gear), which we can then enjoy pan-fried or as carpaccio!
We will continue our journey north to the abandoned village of Ataa, and perhaps even further north to the immense Eqi Glacier. The intricate network of fjords offers endless possibilities for discovery and the assurance that we will encounter only a few fishermen.
Then, halfway through our journey, it will be time to head south towards Ilulissat.
One thing is certain: it will be an incredible adventure!
DAY 13: FLIGHT TO COPENHAGEN
Day 13
We leave Ilulissat in the morning to fly to Nuuk and Copenhagen, arriving late in the evening.
DAY 14: FLIGHT FROM COPENHAGEN
Day 14
Depending on our flight schedule, transfer to the airport and departure for our final destination.
FIN PROGRAMME
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Infos Techniques
Accompagnement
An officially-certified French guide will accompany you.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Niveau de difficulté
Level rated: challenging
This program is designed for participants who take part in a regular sports activity several times a week, including endurance activity.
On average, the stages are 20 to 35 kilometers per day, which represents 6 to 7 hours of kayaking per day. This distance may vary depending on possible bivouac sites and, of course, the weather, wind, and sea conditions, which can have a significant impact on our navigation. We will be using single-seater sea kayaks designed for long-distance travel and stability.
However, sea kayaking is an exciting discipline that requires training, and it is necessary to have some previous kayaking experience (at sea!) and/or to join us in Marseille for a 2-day course specifically designed to give you the skills you need for this great adventure in the Greenland ice.
NIVEAU DIFFICULTE TECHNIQUE
Kayaking level: intermediate
This program requires an "intermediate" technical level, i.e., it is aimed at participants who are no longer "beginners" and who can demonstrate a level equivalent to "yellow paddle" (French Canoe-Kayak Federation standard) or "BCU 2 stars" (British federation standard):
- Maintain correct hand position on the paddle
- Basic paddle control: forward/backward stroke or sculling/circular stroke/steering
- Know how to navigate in wind force 4-5 (less than 20 km/h and sea conditions with small waves), stay on course, steer accurately, and paddle efficiently
- Use the paddle for support to stabilize yourself and know how to tow a paddler in difficulty
Compagnies aériennes internationales
Program does not include international flights. You may fly with regular airlines such as Wow Air, Icelandair, etc.
It is important to arrive at the Reykjavik airport at the time specified when you register, as we only provide one transfer from Reykjavik Airport (Iceland) to Constable Point Airport (Greenland).
HÉBERGEMENT
Accommodation in an apartment in Ilulissat, in a two-person tent for the rest of the trip. A large tent is provided for meals or in case of bad weather.
REPAS
Meals taken at the hotel or restaurant, at the start and end of the expedition, are not included in order to allow for flexibility. During the expedition, meals will be prepared in advance in the form of rations. These provide us with all the calories we need for the expedition, while prioritizing balance, weight, and ease of preparation.
TRANSFERT TRANSPORT
Transfers to/from the airport and to/from the expedition starting point are provided by vehicle, subject to local constraints.
COM GROUP SIZE
The group is composed of 4 to 6 participants maximum. The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Équipement
Equipment
Personal equipment is not provided. However, a complete list is provided to allow you to check that you are taking what is necessary.
All logistical equipment is provided, including tents and pulkas, as well as collective equipment such as stoves, white gas, etc.
Your guide is equipped with a satellite phone, Garmin Inreach and emergency equipment, and a geolocation beacon.
Other personal equipment is not supplied. A complete list is provided below.
For reference, we offer technical equipment for rental, for example (please contact us for specific needs):
- Thor Neo Valandre down sleeping bag -30°C: €150 to €200 depending on the rental duration (deposit of €1000, not cashed if paid by cheque)
- Valandre down jacket -30°C: €110 to €140 depending on the rental duration (deposit of €700, not cashed if paid by cheque)
- Valandre down salopettes -30°C: €110 to €140 depending on the rental duration (deposit of €700, not cashed if paid by cheque)
Nos engagements pour un développement durable
Our commitment to a better planet has been a reality since the beginning of our story but we always need to do more and better. Please find out more about our charter and our commitments in terms of sustainable development. We have drafted our charter and take action through six themes on which we act as concretely as possible, most often with you: social equity and cultural respect, preservation of water, waste management in expedition, protection of biodiversity, raise public awareness on these subjects and finally, the optimization and recovery of CO2 emissions.
Regarding carbon emissions, most of which are due to air travel, we calculated and communicated in 2018 on the carbon footprint of each of our programs, expressed in tonnes of CO2.
And in 2022, we have set ourselves a carbon reduction target that we believe is unprecedented in the tourism industry, aiming to reduce the total emissions of our activity by 5% per year, taking 2019 as the reference year (3,430 tonnes of CO2). This commitment is in line with the trajectory of the Paris climate agreements of 2015, the current benchmark. By 2030, we aim to not exceed 2,160 tons of CO2. In 2024, all Secret Planet journeys emitted 2,064 tons, well below our maximum limit of 2,940 tons. The ceiling for 2025 is 2,800 tons, and in 2026 it will be further reduced to 2,660 tons. And so on until 2030. To find out more about all of our calculations and our commitments in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
In addition, since 2019, we have been encouraging you when you book for your journey to contribute with a donation to an independent NGO, among the two we have selected that share the commitments made in our charter. We matched the amount of this donation to this program's carbon footprint. Thus, the journey you are considering generates 0,62 tons of CO2, which corresponds to a 100% donation of €19 for an estimated value today of €30 per tonne of CO2. This donation remains of course optional and you can decide to give between nothing and 100% of this amount. Since 2019, including covid years of 2020 and 2021, we have been able to collect thanks to you nearly €5,500 for these associations.
Please do not hesitate to come back to us with any questions you might have regarding this carbon footprint mechanism, our other sustainable développement commitments or even to share with us your experience through a chat or a mail at contact@secret-planet.com.
Sébastien Royer, Polar guide
Sébastien is an highly experienced guide who has been leading expeditions for over 20 years in Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, Russia, and Canada.
A certified instructor in sea/whitewater kayaking, skiing, sailing, and diving, he has a particular passion for long-distance journeys and, above all, for sharing his love of adventure and the Far North.
In winter, you’ll find him on routes such as the Great vatnajökull crossing in Iceland, the Northwest Passage in Canada, or crossing the glaciers of Svalbard.
Under sail, he heads to the Norwegian high plateaus to lead our introductory and advanced snowkiting courses, designed to prepare for south–north crossings of Greenland.
When summer arrives, he shares his passion for sea kayaking on expeditions in Greenland, Disko Bay, encountering whales, or on more ambitious journeys into the High Arctic in search of narwhals.
During the shoulder seasons, you’ll meet him on our diving trips with orcas and whales in Norway, or sea kayaking in warmer waters such as Sardinia and Greece.
The rest of the time, you’ll find him at our Lyon office, our “base camp,” where he works on designing and organizing our expeditions in the arctic or beyond.
Dates et Prix
Please find below all dates and prices for this expedition. Prices are quoted "from" and may be adjusted notably according to the number of participants (see trip notes for details). Please note that dates and prices for years beyond 2024, when given, are for guidance only and are subject to change and readjustment to take account of current economic realities.
No date works for me!
I initiate a new dateLE PRIX COMPREND
- Return flights between Copenhagen and Ilulissat
- Taxi transfers in Ilulissat
- 2 nights' hotel accommodation in Ilulissat with breakfast (1 on arrival and 1 on departure)
- All expedition meals
- Single kayaks, paddles, life jackets, spray skirts, and wetsuits
- Two-person tents and one group tent
- Group cooking equipment (stoves, pots, etc.)
- Accompaniment by a guide specializing in sea kayaking and Greenland
LE PRIX NE COMPREND PAS
- Flights to Copenhagen and back
- Two nights in Copenhagen (1 on the way there and 1 on the way back)
- Meals in Ilulissat
- Waterproof bags
- Personal equipment
- Sleeping bag and mattress
Your private expedition, just for you!
Customized expedition
Bring your expedition to life—designed to match your ambition.
Does one of our existing expedition almost align with your objective? We can tailor it precisely: adjust the duration, refine the level of commitment, integrate specific goals (scientific, athletic, audiovisual production), adapt the logistics, or strengthen supervision and safety measures. This approach is built on proven terrain in order to create an expedition fully aligned with your goals.
Is your project unique and unlike anything that we currently offer? We design fully custom expeditions. This is no longer about adapting an existing program, but about building a complete project based on your constraints, your level of engagement, your objectives, and the realities of the field. Remote environments, extreme conditions, complex logistics, or specific projects (exploration, filming, scientific missions, personal challenges): every expedition is designed with precision and uncompromising standards.
For over 15 years, Expeditions Unlimited has been designing and operating expeditions worldwide—across all regions, environments, and activities—for individuals and corporate projects alike. Our field expertise ensures reliable systems, robust logistics, and controlled management of demanding environments.
Because every project is unique, our commitment is clear: to support you in designing and executing a safe, fully realized expedition that truly reflects your ambition.
Learn more about our custom expedition approach.
Tell us about your project
A few details are enough to get started. One of our experts will contact you within 48 hours to better understand your needs and propose a tailored approach.
FAQ
What technical kayaking level is required for this expedition?
The minimum level corresponds to the French "pagaie jaune" (FFCkayak) or "BCU 2 stars" standard. In practice, this means mastering propulsion, braking and steering, stabilising independently on the water, and being able to tow a struggling paddler. Navigation in Disko Bay takes place in force 4 to 5 winds (up to 20 km/h), requiring the ability to hold a precise course in those conditions.
What physical fitness level is needed for the 10 days of autonomous paddling?
A good sporting condition is required, with regular endurance training several times a week. Daily stages cover between 20 and 35 kilometres over 6 to 7 hours of paddling. Ten consecutive days in an Arctic environment, wearing a drysuit and dealing with variable conditions, demands solid cardiovascular stamina.
Is prior sea kayaking experience required to join this expedition?
Sea kayaking experience is essential before departure. For participants who do not yet have it, a 2-day preparation course in the Calanques near Marseille is organised beforehand and must be completed prior to the expedition. Knowing how to paddle in calm water is not sufficient: handling a sea kayak in open water and managing independently are genuine prerequisites for this programme.
How are the 14 days of the programme structured, from arrival to departure?
The first 2 days cover flights and the Copenhagen/Ilulissat connection, with a hotel night on arrival. The following 10 days form the core of the expedition: sea kayaking autonomously in Disko Bay with camping on shore. The final 2 days are taken up by the return flight to Copenhagen.
Where do participants sleep during the 10 days of sea kayaking?
Camping takes place on the shores of Disko Bay, using two-person tents and one shared cooking tent. Hotel accommodation with breakfast is provided in Ilulissat for the nights before and after the time spent on the water. Expedition rations are prepared in advance and cooked at camp by the group.
Is the itinerary set in advance or adjusted as the expedition progresses?
The itinerary favours exploration and remains flexible to adapt to Arctic conditions. The guide can modify or halt the progression at any time for safety reasons related to weather or sea state. This autonomous expedition model means that navigation decisions are made day by day, based on wind, currents and ice conditions.
What are the typical weather and sea conditions in Disko Bay in summer?
Disko Bay lies 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. In summer, Arctic conditions can change quickly, with variable winds, fog and sudden swells. Water temperatures remain cold even at the height of the season, which is why a drysuit is worn at all times on the water. Light is almost continuous throughout August.
What technically characterises paddling among icebergs?
Disko Bay receives the largest icebergs in the northern hemisphere, calved from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. Paddling near icebergs requires constant vigilance as blocks can capsize or break apart without warning. Positioning the kayak relative to ice masses, drift and induced currents is a skill specific to this type of Arctic navigation.
What wildlife encounters can be expected on this programme?
Disko Bay is one of the key gathering areas for humpback whales in the Arctic, drawn by the krill-rich cold deep waters. Sightings from the kayak are frequent during the season, though not guaranteed, as they depend on the animals' movements. Line fishing is also included as an additional activity during the expedition.
What is the guide-to-participant ratio and what is the guide's profile on this programme?
The programme takes a maximum of 4 to 6 participants, accompanied by a single certified sea kayak guide specialising in Greenland with 25 years of professional experience. The ratio is therefore 1 guide to 4 to 6 participants. This small group allows for individual technical coaching and fast decision-making when conditions change.
How is safety managed in such a remote environment?
The expedition operates in an isolated Arctic environment, far from immediate rescue services. The guide is solely responsible for navigation decisions and can interrupt or modify the itinerary at any moment. Drysuits and buoyancy equipment are worn at all times on the water. The full list of collective safety equipment for the programme is to be confirmed directly with the team.
What kayaking equipment is provided and what must participants bring themselves?
The single-hull sea kayak in the Greenlandic tradition, paddle, buoyancy aid, spraydeck and drysuit are all provided. Collective camping gear, tents, cooking equipment and expedition rations are also covered. Participants are responsible for their own dry bags, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and all personal high-latitude gear.
What costs are included in the price and what should participants budget for separately?
The price covers return flights Copenhagen/Ilulissat, the 2 hotel nights in Ilulissat with breakfast, meals during the 10 expedition days and all kayaking equipment. Not included are international flights to Copenhagen, any Copenhagen nights before or after, meals in Ilulissat outside the expedition and personal gear.
How does this sea kayaking expedition stand out from other Arctic journeys at this level?
Several factors make this programme distinctive: the group is capped at 6 participants, only single-hull kayaks in the Greenlandic tradition are used, the guide is a zone specialist with 25 years of experience, and the expedition is fully self-sufficient with camping on shore. This format is designed for already-trained paddlers seeking a full expedition experience, not a guided discovery tour.
What natural progression does this programme open up for paddlers wanting to go further in polar environments?
This programme in Disko Bay is a demanding entry point into autonomous polar sea kayaking. To progress further, the natural path leads to expeditions in even more isolated Arctic areas, with longer crossings or less-frequented objectives. Mountaineering and Arctic ski-touring programmes in polar zones such as Svalbard can also complement a practice oriented towards high latitudes.
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