Polar Bear Sightseeing

Polar bear sightseeing is the most exclusive wildlife experience in Greenland!
The Government of Greenland has only issued three special permits
for local tour companies to offer this life-changing excursion,
and we are so proud that one of them is in South Greenland. 

Special Southeast Greenlandic polar bears

In 2022, our big, beautiful, healthy South Greenlandic polar bears made the front cover of Science Magazine with some of the most astounding news in the wildlife world:
The polar bears on the southeast coast of South Greenland are the most genetically distinct population of polar bears in the world. This is because they are keen to stay in the fjords, often near their deepest reaches close to the glaciers leading from the Greenland Ice Sheet. They do not mix with the polar bears from northeast Greenland, for example, which float past the region onboard sikorsuit pack ice in spring. 
In short, seeing one of our polar bears is a once in a lifetime experience!
Polar bears are a protected species and must be respected at all times.

Drone policy: it is unlawful for anyone to use drones around polar bears for any reason.

Polar bear sightseeing day tour 

Fly in. Sail around. Spot bears. Fly out.
Through a wonderful partnership of locally-owned and operated helicopter and boating companies, you can now experience polar bear sightseeing as a day tour.
Fly with helicopter from a town of your choosing in South Greenland (southwest coast) over the Greenland Ice Sheet to a terrain landing spot in Southeast Greenland. This flight alone will take your breath away!
From the landing spot, transfer to a small fleet of comfortable closed passenger boats for a day of scouting and looking for the King of the Arctic.
One of the "secret weapons" to increasing the chances to spot a polar bear is having a local fisherman accompanying the trip. They are the ones covering this territory most frequently, so they know exactly how polar bears behave and where they tend to be.
When you spot a polar bear, everyone's adrenaline is suddenly up and running, and yet, you do a silent happy dance so to be as respectful to the natural environment as possible. It is an absolute privilege to see a polar bear in its natural habitat like this. 
Your boat captain is authorised to approach the polar bear by boat to a distance of 200 meters and then stop. Remember to bring your best zoom lens to capture detailed photographs!
After everyone has had their chance to awe at the most majestic animal to walk the planet, the boats will make their way back to the helicopter landing spot, load into the chopper and return to civilisation on the southwest coast.
But you are returning a changed person. You are never the same after seeing a polar bear in the wild as part of a small exclusive group. See you in South Greenland!

Why are there polar bears in South Greenland?
The polar bears spotted in southwest South Greenland are usually from a different population than the ones seen in Southeast Greenland.
Polar bears are a common springtime sight on the inhabited southwest coast of South Greenland, too. This is because of the Sikorsuit pack ice that comes from the east coast.
The massive ice floes drift down around the southern tip of the country and can surround our entire region in ice as far as the eye can see.
Sikorsuit pack ice is the natural habitat and birthing grounds for seals, which are polar bears' primary food source. And so, the springtime Sikorsuit pack ice brings all kinds of wildlife along for the ride.
The polar bears have a natural magnetism in their blood that screams "eastward"! And thus, it is not uncommon for polar bears to traverse through the fjords of South Greenland on their journey back toward the east coast.
Get inspired by polar bear sightseeing via a multi-day local sailing expedition.
Video made by Visit Greenland in collaboration with South Greenland Boat Charter 44, Sermeq Helicopters and Visit South Greenland

Local Operators ready to welcome you

South Greenland Boat Charter 44

Sermeq Helicopters