Greenland is the world’s largest island and one of the most remote places you can explore by ship. Along the east and south coasts, you sail through deep fjords, past towering glaciers, and among drifting icebergs, always keeping an eye out for Arctic wildlife. While animals are more spread out here than in some other regions, East and South Greenland offer a mix of sea, tundra, and ice that supports some of the Arctic’s most iconic species. These are the animals you’re most likely to encounter on an expedition cruise along this part of Greenland.
Polar bear
Polar bears live mainly in Northeast Greenland, especially in areas with consistent pack ice and coastal drift ice. Sightings are less frequent than in Svalbard, but they do happen, especially around the outer fjords and in the northern parts of Scoresby Sund. Bears in this region are often more cautious and cover large distances along the coastline. They may be seen resting on an ice floe, walking along the shore, or swimming between pieces of ice. When they appear, it is usually unexpected and always memorable.
Musk ox
The musk ox is Greenland’s most recognizable land mammal. These large, heavy animals live in herds on the tundra, especially in East Greenland near fjords such as Scoresby Sund. They are built for cold climates, with thick coats and strong bodies that allow them to survive through winter. Musk oxen graze on grasses, moss, and low vegetation. In summer, they are often seen moving slowly across open slopes, sometimes with calves. When approached, they usually keep their distance, but a group standing in formation with glacier cliffs behind them is a classic East Greenland scene.
Arctic hare
Arctic hares live in several parts of East and South Greenland. They are often seen in rocky areas or open tundra, blending into the landscape with their thick white coats in winter or greyish fur in summer. These hares rely on speed and camouflage to avoid predators and tend to freeze when spotted. They feed on moss, roots, and low plants. While not always easy to find, they sometimes appear suddenly, darting between rocks or sitting still among the lichens.
Seals
Seals are common along the coastlines and fjords of East and South Greenland. Ringed seals and harp seals are most often seen, usually swimming among the ice or resting on floes. Ringed seals are small and quiet, and they are the primary prey of polar bears. Harp seals travel in groups and are more vocal. Hooded seals, with their large size and inflatable nose sacs, are less common but sometimes appear in the more remote fjords. You may spot seals while cruising among the ice or during Zodiac rides, watching them pop their heads up or slide into the water.
Whales
Greenland’s eastern and southern waters are excellent places to see whales during summer. Humpback whales are especially common, feeding in the nutrient-rich fjords and often surfacing close to the ship. They are easy to recognize thanks to their long flippers and habit of lifting their tail before a dive. Minke whales are smaller and usually appear briefly before disappearing again. In the northern parts of East Greenland, beluga whales and narwhals are present but harder to find, as they stay near the pack ice. Bowhead whales live further north and are rarely seen. Whale sightings often come as a surprise and can happen at any time, sometimes during breakfast or while anchored in a quiet bay.
Arctic fox
Arctic foxes are found along the coasts and valleys of East Greenland. In summer, they have dark brown or grey fur that blends into the tundra, while in winter they turn completely white. Foxes feed on seabird eggs, carrion, berries, and anything else they can scavenge. They often follow polar bears or explore near bird colonies. These animals are fast and alert, but not shy. You might spot one weaving between rocks during a landing, or curiously watching from a distance.
Arctic birds
The cliffs, lakes, and coastal zones of East and South Greenland attract a range of Arctic birds during the summer. You may see black guillemots, glaucous gulls, Arctic terns, and northern fulmars while cruising the fjords. In places like Skjoldungen or Scoresby Sund, little auks and kittiwakes nest in colonies, while skuas patrol nearby. Inland, snow buntings and ptarmigans are sometimes spotted, especially near landing sites. Greenland has fewer large bird cliffs than Svalbard, but the birds that do nest here are well adapted to the harsher, rockier terrain.
What makes Greenland special
Expedition cruising along East and South Greenland offers a mix of rugged landscape, massive ice formations, and wildlife that is spread out and unpredictable. Patience is important. You may go hours without a sighting, then suddenly see a whale surface or a musk ox herd appear on a hillside. What makes Greenland unique is the scale and silence of its nature. There are no settlements in most areas, and little sign of human presence. Wildlife encounters here feel raw and remote, exactly what many people come to the Arctic to experience.
