Greenland to Newfoundland
Mountains, Wildlife and Viking History — a culture-rich crossing from West Greenland to Atlantic Canada.
Why we picked it
A distinctive Arctic journey for travellers who want communities, archaeology and changing landscapes as much as ice and wildlife.
It links three very different regions without retracing the route: Greenland’s icefjord coast, Nunavut and Labrador’s Inuit homelands, and Newfoundland’s Norse history. It suits curious travellers who value cultural context and a comfortable modern ship.
Ilulissat Icefjord, L’Anse aux Meadows and the wider human history of the North Atlantic.
A meaningful allocation in one of eastern Canada’s most dramatic wilderness areas.
Ocean Explorer has two dedicated single categories, including one with a veranda.
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Arctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our expedition guiding experience helps you understand the travel, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Your trip overview brings together recommended flight routes, buffer days, travel and packing tips. You can also book a hotel and transfer package through us.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage overview
Fly from Iceland to West Greenland, then follow the Davis Strait and Labrador coast south to Newfoundland.
*Quark describes the expedition as a 14-day voyage. Its dated 2027 departure is shown as 15 calendar days because the programme includes the pre-expedition hotel night on 15 September before embarkation.
Three Arctic regions in one crossing
Begin with an included night near Reykjavík before flying to Greenland. Ocean Explorer then follows a one-way route through West Greenland, across Davis Strait to Nunavut, and down the Labrador coast to Newfoundland.
- Greenland: Sisimiut’s living culture and the icebergs of Ilulissat.
- Nunavut and Labrador: Inuit communities, wildlife and two expedition days in the Torngat Mountains.
- Newfoundland: Norse history at L’Anse aux Meadows before finishing in St. John’s.
Day-by-day plan
This is an expedition programme. The sequence and every landing remain subject to weather, ice, wildlife and local arrangements.
Arrive in Iceland
Make your way to Quark’s included airport-area hotel near Keflavík. This is primarily an arrival and preparation day rather than a guided visit. Reykjavík’s centre is around an hour from the hotel, so travellers arriving early can explore its colourful harbour, landmark Hallgrímskirkja church and compact old town independently before returning for the night.
Fly to Kangerlussuaq and embark
Take the included charter flight to West Greenland, transfer to the pier and board Ocean Explorer. Meet the expedition team and complete the ship’s safety briefings.
Sisimiut
Explore Greenland’s second-largest city, where brightly painted homes sit between the harbour and surrounding mountains. A guided walk brings together the historic quarter, local museum and the town’s strong seafaring traditions. The programme may include a kayak-building demonstration, time with local residents and an optional mountain-biking excursion arranged with community partners.
Ilulissat Icefjord
Travel ashore by Zodiac and walk through Ilulissat towards the UNESCO-listed Icefjord. Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the northern hemisphere’s most productive glaciers, releases vast icebergs into Disko Bay, creating a landscape that changes constantly with wind, tide and light. The exact walk and viewpoints depend on local conditions, but this is one of the voyage’s defining days.
Cross the Davis Strait
A full sea day connects Greenland and Nunavut. Lectures introduce the region’s glaciology, wildlife, history and cultures while the expedition team keeps watch from the outer decks.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut
Visit Pangnirtung at the head of a dramatic fjord beneath the peaks of southern Baffin Island. Time ashore focuses on contemporary Inuit life, local stories and the community’s acclaimed printmaking and textile traditions. The visit is shaped with local hosts, giving travellers useful context for the landscapes and communities encountered farther south.
Monumental Island
Explore the waters around this stark, uninhabited island off southeast Baffin Island by Zodiac. Its rocky shores and surrounding sea ice can attract walrus and seabirds, while icebergs provide a dramatic backdrop for photography. The expedition team will choose the safest and most rewarding approach according to ice, swell and wildlife activity.
Torngat Mountains National Park
Spend two full expedition days among Labrador’s deep fjords, steep mountains and tundra valleys. Inuit cultural knowledge is central to every visit in this homeland, with local bear guards and guides helping the team read the landscape safely. Depending on conditions, days may combine Zodiac cruising, shore walks, wildlife watching and longer hikes, allowing more depth than a single brief call.
Hebron, Labrador
Visit the remote former Moravian mission at Hebron, now a National Historic Site. Restored buildings and interpretation reveal both the mission’s role in Labrador and the painful 1959 relocation of Inuit families from the community. Local hosts connect that history with living family stories, making this a culturally significant call rather than a simple sightseeing stop.
At sea along Labrador
Watch for whales and seabirds, join the expedition team on deck, or use the ship’s lounges, library and wellness spaces as Ocean Explorer continues south.
L’Anse aux Meadows
Explore the only confirmed Norse settlement in North America and one of the voyage’s clearest links across the North Atlantic. A guided visit explains the archaeological discoveries at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, while reconstructed sod buildings show how Norse seafarers lived around a thousand years ago. The nearby coastline adds a strong sense of place to the history.
At sea
Use the final sea day for presentations, questions with the expedition team, photography and time on deck.
Disembark in St. John’s
Arrive in St. John’s, Newfoundland’s colourful harbour capital, and disembark after breakfast. Its steep streets, painted row houses and lively waterfront make it worth adding a post-voyage stay if time allows. Airport transfers and any extra accommodation are arranged separately.
Dates & departures
2026 sailing
| Starts | Ends | Ship | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2026 | 27 September 2026 | Ocean Explorer | Sold out |
2027 sailings
| Starts | Ends | Ship | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 September 2027 | 26 September 2027 | Ultramarine | Request live check |
| 15 September 2027 | 28 September 2027 | Ocean Explorer | Request live check |
2028 sailings
| Starts | Ends | Ship | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 September 2028 | 17 September 2028 | Ultramarine | Request live check |
| 5 September 2028 | 18 September 2028 | Ocean Explorer | Request live check |
Dates, cabins and your quote
Ask us for the current fare, available cabins and applicable offers for your chosen departure.
Quark currently publishes five departures across 2026, 2027 and 2028. The 2026 sailing is sold out; future cabin availability and promotions can change. Fares are not linked live, and the required Charter Flight & Hotel Package varies by season. Ask us to check the cabin-specific total and current availability for your party. Ultramarine operates one departure in both 2027 and 2028; the ship and cabin section below shows Ocean Explorer, so we will provide the matching Ultramarine cabin information when quoting those dates.
Life aboard Ocean Explorer
A modern 138-guest expedition ship with an Ulstein X-Bow, wide viewing areas, a two-storey library and a high proportion of private verandas.
Ocean Explorer
Operator film · Quark Expeditions.
The Arctic with Quark
Operator destination film · Quark Expeditions.
Choose your cabin
Ocean Explorer ranges from two dedicated solo designs to larger veranda suites. These are the complete principal categories for the 2027 ship; exact cabin dimensions vary within some categories.
Studio Single
Deck 3 · 146–186 sq ft · one guest
A purpose-designed solo cabin with a double bed, porthole and private bathroom.
Studio Veranda Single
Deck 7 · 162 sq ft · one guest
A dedicated solo cabin with a floor-to-ceiling glass door and private walkout veranda.
Veranda Stateroom
Decks 4, 6 & 7 · 173–272 sq ft
The core balcony option, with flexible twin or double beds and a private veranda.
Veranda Suite
Decks 4 & 6 · 200–205 sq ft
Adds a separate sitting area with sofa bed and a private walkout balcony.
Triple Suite
Deck 6 · 296–299 sq ft · up to three guests
A two-room layout with three single beds, sofa, double-width balcony and bath.
Penthouse Suite
Deck 7 · 269 sq ft
A two-room premium suite with a large balcony and an additional powder room.
Owner’s Suite
Deck 7 · 443 sq ft
Ocean Explorer’s largest suite, with bedroom, living and dining areas and a large private veranda.
What the voyage includes
Included
- Expedition programmeLeadership, Zodiac cruising, shore landings and scheduled presentations.
- Life aboardCabin, housekeeping, meals, snacks, soft drinks, selected alcoholic drinks and basic Wi-Fi.
- Polar equipmentParka to keep and waterproof expedition boots on loan.
- Voyage costsPort charges, service taxes and onboard luggage handling.
Budget separately
- Required packageOne Keflavík-area hotel night, transfer to the airport, charter flight to Kangerlussuaq and transfer to the ship.
- TravelInternational flights and arrival or departure transfers in Iceland and St. John’s.
- Personal costsInsurance, visas or eTA, gratuities, premium Wi-Fi, spa, laundry and optional activities.
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your dates, cabin needs and priorities. We’ll check the live total and help you compare it with the strongest alternatives.
Voyage information
Details checked 6 September 2026 against Quark Expeditions’ official voyage page and dated 2027 programme. Images and films: Quark Expeditions and the photographers credited in operator filenames. Ask Expedition Advisory for the current programme, availability, fare and booking terms.