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East Greenland Photo Expedition 2027
OPEN FOR BOOKINGS
Scoresbysund is one of the largest and longest fjord systems in the world, it sits on the east coast of Greenland, and almost nobody photographs it. Join Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove on an eight-day photography expedition through it, sailing aboard Ocean Sherpa with a group capped at eleven. There are no roads in this part of Greenland. Apart from Ittoqqortoormiit, a settlement of a few hundred people at the mouth of the fjord, there is nothing out here but ice, rock and water, and the only way in is by boat.
A small boat is also the only sensible way to work it. Ocean Sherpa gets into side fjords a hundred-passenger ship cannot enter, she can stop for a single good iceberg without a schedule to keep, and there is no queue at the good spot because there is nobody else out here. 25 August to 1 September 2027, eleven places, chartered flights from Reykjavík included.
25/08/2027 - 01/09/2027 | 8 days/7 nights | 1545000 ISK per person (+- 10855 Euro) | 11 out of 11 spots available | Any experience level
The organising, fully licensed, travel agency behind this photography workshop is Nonni Travel. The applicable terms & conditions can be found on a separate page. The package price is in Icelandic Króna and equals +- 10855 Euro with the exchange rate of 13/08/20256.
Highlights Of This Photography Expedition
- Eight days sailing Scoresbysund, one of the largest fjord systems on Earth, completely off-grid
- Eleven places aboard the sailboat Ocean Sherpa, plus Jeroen
- Icebergs the size of buildings, drifting below mountain walls that rise almost 2000 metres straight out of the water
- Muskoxen, arctic hares and arctic foxes, and a real chance of a polar bear
- Nights that have gone dark again after the midnight sun, and with them a chance of northern lights
- A landing at Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most remote inhabited places in the Arctic and the only settlement for hundreds of kilometres
- Shared cabins with a private shower and washbasin, and shared toilets on board
- Chartered flights between Reykjavík and Constable Point included
- Meet the morning of 25 August 2027, back in Iceland the evening of 1 September 2027
Why Jeroen Keeps Sailing Scoresbysund
Jeroen has run photography expeditions into Scoresbysund for several seasons, and he keeps coming back for a reason that has nothing to do with the destination being new. Scoresbysund is not undiscovered. What is unusual is doing it on a boat this small. Many Greenland trips at this latitude run on ships carrying a hundred passengers or more, which means fixed landing slots, zodiacs loaded in rotations, and a schedule that has to be kept whether or not the light is doing anything.
Eleven photographers on a sailboat is a different job entirely. Ocean Sherpa can turn for one iceberg. She can sit still for two hours because the cloud is about to break. She can push into the narrow arms of the fjord system where the bigger ships simply do not fit. The itinerary is a plan, not a promise, and the ice gets the final say. That is the trade: no guarantees about where the week goes, and in exchange, a week built around the light instead of a timetable.
Late August is chosen deliberately. There is still enough daylight to work long days, the sea ice has usually cleared enough to get properly deep into the system, and the nights have gone dark again after the midnight sun, which puts the northern lights back on the table.
One thing that surprises photographers coming here from Iceland: the weather in East Greenland is comparatively stable. This is a dry, high Arctic climate rather than a North Atlantic one, so days do not usually get torn up by an incoming front the way they do on the Icelandic south coast. What moves the plan here is ice. What you pack for is cold.
If you are looking further north, Jeroen also runs a one-off whole-ship charter into Northeast Greenland National Park in September 2027, aboard a larger ice-class ship. This one is the sailing trip through Scoresbysund, and it is the one that runs most years. Both sit alongside the West Greenland trips on the Greenland photo workshops page.
Itinerary
This expedition does not run to a fixed schedule, and that is deliberate. East Greenland weather is more settled than Iceland’s, but the ice is not, and the ice is what decides where Ocean Sherpa can get to on any given day. What follows is what the eight days can look like, not a promise of what any given day will hold. For a sense of how a week out there actually unfolds, read Jeroen’s account of exploring the solitude of Scoresbysund.
Day 1 (25/08/2027) – Reykjavík To Constable Point
We meet on the morning of 25 August at the domestic airport in downtown Reykjavík and board a chartered flight to Constable Point, also known as Nerlerit Inaat, on the east coast of Greenland. The flight takes a little under two hours and the approach over the ice is worth having a camera out for. From the airstrip it is a short transfer down to the anchorage, where Ocean Sherpa is waiting.
Day 2-7 (26-31/08/2027) – Sailing Scoresbysund
Six days working the fjord system, with the route decided day by day, not weeks in advance. Scoresbysund is one of the largest and longest fjord systems in the world, fed by the Greenland Ice Sheet, and the icebergs that calve into it get stranded in the shallows where they tilt, split and roll for months. The aim is to get as deep into the system as the ice allows, and to be in the right arm of it when the light arrives.
Possible, depending on ice and access: the basalt and sandstone walls of Vikingebugt, the Bjørneøer, and the long run into Nordvestfjord. A landing at Ittoqqortoormiit is a fixture rather than a maybe: a few hundred people, sledge dogs, painted houses, and no road out in any direction. Wildlife is opportunistic: muskoxen, arctic hares and arctic foxes ashore, seals and the occasional whale in the water, and polar bears, which are a real possibility rather than a guarantee.
Day 8 (01/09/2027) – Constable Point To Iceland
The last morning is spent at the anchorage near the Constable Point airstrip before the chartered flight back to Iceland, arriving in Reykjavík in the evening.
What’s Included?
- Chartered flights from Reykjavík Domestic Airport to Constable Point (Greenland) & back
- 7 nights accommodation aboard the sailboat Ocean Sherpa in shared cabins (2 people per cabin) with private ensuite & shared toilet facilities
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner while we are on Ocean Sherpa (full board)
- An information document containing everything you will need to know about this expedition
- Professional photographic tuition and guidance from Jeroen
- The amazing & professional crew of Ocean Sherpa
What’s Not Included?
- International flights to/from Keflavík International Airport in Iceland
- Transportation between Keflavík International Airport & Reykjavík
- Drinks & alcohol on Ocean Sherpa (available but at own expense)
- Travel & personal insurance (Getting your own travel insurance is a must!)
- Tips and gratuities
- Any other services & goods not mentioned in “What’s Included”
What Photography Gear & Clothing Should You Bring?
Photography Gear
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera, ideally two bodies
- A drone with spare batteries, if you are flying and know the Greenland rules
- A wide-angle lens in the 16-35mm range
- A zoom lens in the 70-200mm range or more (a 100-400mm is highly advisable)
- A mid-range zoom in the 24-70mm range
- Laptop or tablet with editing software to edit your photos on the go
Recommended Clothing
- Layers, and warmer ones than you would pack for Iceland in August
- Good waterproof hiking boots
- Indoor shoes
- A hat and summer gloves
- Warm clothes and wool underwear
- Wind/rain shell jacket and pants
Need a more detailed idea of what outdoor apparel & photography gear to bring? Make sure to read this detailed article!
Life On Board Of Ocean Sherpa
This expedition sails aboard Ocean Sherpa, a sailboat set up for exactly this kind of work: comfortable cabins, a warm saloon, a deckhouse to thaw out in, and enough space on deck for everyone on board to shoot at once without standing in each other’s shot.
Sailing is slow travel, and for photography that is the point. Getting between places takes time, and the time is where the pictures are. There is always something to look at, whether we are repositioning between the known spots or not, so most of your waking hours go on deck with a camera in hand. There are zodiacs on board for landings.
The week is spent effectively off-grid. Plan for that before you leave, not on day two. For getting connected either side of the expedition, Jeroen has written about using eSIMs on photo workshops in Greenland and Iceland.
Space on board is limited, and it is worth being honest about that. Eleven participants and the crew live closely together for a week in a small area, which asks for a bit of tolerance and good humour from everyone. Cabins are small and similarly sized, shared between same-gender participants or couples who sign up together, and each has a bunk bed, a closet, a washing basin and a private shower. The toilets are shared, three of them between the six cabins forward. In practice almost all of your waking time goes in the saloon, in the wheelhouse or out on deck.
Exploring remote areas with a sailboat is a whole experience and it is possible to participate in that experience even more. On previous photo expeditions, we have helped the crew keep ‘ice watch’ during night sailing (watching out for icebergs), as well as hoisting the sails when we had favourable winds. This is totally optional but can truly enhance your experience even more.
What Are The Physical Requirements?
While this trip is not physically challenging, it is important to note a few things. There will be some hiking on this trip. Some hikes can be up to 5km (both ways) with elevation gains. The trails can be uneven and slippery – depending on weather conditions. As we want the itinerary to be dependent somewhat on the weather, it is impossible to provide more details on the hikes. Finally, to land on the shore, we will also be going in and out of zodiacs on occasion. The zodiac can only be boarded via a small wooden ladder on the side of the sailboat.
What Photography Experience Level Does Jeroen Recommend?
All photography experience levels are welcome, from beginners to working professionals. Jeroen works with each participant individually, and a good mix of experience in a group of eleven means people learn from each other as well as from him. What counts for more than technical skill on a trip like this is being ready to shoot when the boat stops unexpectedly, which is something the week teaches you regardless of where you start.
What About Drone Flying On This Photography Expedition?
You do not need a drone on this expedition, but if you are bringing one, know the rules before you pack it. Greenland does not issue its own drone licence, and an EU certificate does not carry over. Flying there runs under Danish regulation BL 9-4, which caps you at 100 metres above ground level, keeps you 150 metres clear of built-up areas, and rules out recreational flying inside urban areas altogether. Certain protected areas cannot be overflown at all without permission. Jeroen has written the full picture in his guide to flying a drone in Greenland. Read it before you travel.
Be confident with hand launches and hand catches before you arrive. Take-offs and landings happen from a moving deck or from a zodiac, and a boat is not the place to practise that for the first time. Jeroen has a separate guide to flying a drone from a boat covering exactly that. Participants also get a discount on the Drone Photography Masterclass after signing up.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is The Best Time To Photograph Scoresbysund?
Late August into September, which is why this expedition runs then. Earlier in the summer the sea ice often has not cleared enough to get deep into the fjord system, and the midnight sun means there is no real darkness. By the end of August the ice has usually opened up, the days are still long enough to work properly, and the nights have gone dark again.
How Do You Get To Scoresbysund?
By air to Constable Point, also known as Nerlerit Inaat, and then by boat. There are no roads into the fjord system and no scheduled way in for visitors. On this expedition the chartered flight from Reykjavík domestic airport to Constable Point is included in both directions, and Ocean Sherpa is waiting at the anchorage when you land.
How Many Days Do You Need In East Greenland?
A week is the realistic minimum for photography. Scoresbysund is enormous, the ice can close a route overnight, and a three or four day trip means being in the wrong arm of the fjord system when the light finally arrives. This expedition runs eight days with seven nights aboard, which leaves room to rebuild the route around whatever the ice is doing.
Can You See Polar Bears In Scoresbysund?
Yes, and every year some groups do. It is not a guarantee and no honest operator will give you one. Polar bears in East Greenland are widely distributed and thinly spread, so sightings come down to being in the right fjord on the right day. Muskoxen, arctic hares and arctic foxes are seen far more reliably.
Can You See The Northern Lights In East Greenland In Late August?
Often, yes. The midnight sun at this latitude ends around the end of July, so by late August there is a real night again. It does not go fully dark, it sits in twilight, but that is usually enough for aurora to show, and it is one of the reasons the expedition sails at the end of August rather than in midsummer. Whether they appear on any given night comes down to solar activity and cloud, exactly as it does anywhere else.
Is Greenland Or Iceland Better For Landscape Photography?
They are not really competing. Iceland is accessible, endlessly varied and can be photographed from a road. Greenland is harder to reach, far emptier, and the scale is different: fjord walls two kilometres high, icebergs the size of buildings, and no infrastructure at all. If you want a place that almost nobody has photographed from the angle you are about to photograph it, Greenland is the answer.
Will You Get Seasick On Ocean Sherpa?
Most of this expedition is sailed inside a sheltered fjord system rather than in open ocean, so the water is usually calm. The crossings at either end can be livelier. If you know you are prone to seasickness, bring what works for you and start it early.
What Camera Gear Does Jeroen Recommend For This Expedition?
A wide-angle in the 16-35mm range for the fjord walls, a mid-range 24-70mm, and a telephoto of at least 70-200mm, though a 100-400mm earns its place here for wildlife and for isolating detail on distant ice. Two bodies if you have them, plenty of cards, and something to keep spray off the front element during zodiac work. A drone is optional and comes with rules attached, covered above.
Do You Need A Permit To Fly A Drone In East Greenland?
There is no Greenlandic drone licence to apply for and an EU certificate does not transfer. Flying runs under Danish regulation BL 9-4, which limits you to 100 metres above ground level, keeps you 150 metres clear of built-up areas, and prohibits recreational flying inside urban areas. Some protected areas cannot be overflown without permission. Jeroen has written a full guide to flying a drone in Greenland covering the detail.
How Cold Is East Greenland At The End Of August?
Cold enough to need proper layers, and colder than most people expect from something billed as a late-summer trip. Expect conditions around or a little above freezing, colder with wind on deck, colder again sitting still in a zodiac. The compensation is that you are far less likely to lose a day to weather here than you would be on an Iceland trip. What catches people out here is not a storm, it is standing in wind for an hour waiting for the light.
What Happens If Ice Blocks The Route?
The route changes, which is why there is no fixed itinerary in the first place. Scoresbysund is large enough that there is almost always somewhere worth being, and the plan is rebuilt daily around what the ice allows. The one thing that does not change is the way the week is run: eleven people, a small boat, and enough time to wait for the light.
Will This Expedition Run Again In 2028?
Most likely, yes. Unlike the one-off Northeast Greenland National Park charter, the Scoresbysund sailing expedition runs most seasons. That said, eleven places sell out well ahead, so a place on the 2027 departure is not something to leave until 2027.
What Previous Participants Had To Say…
Choosing the right photography workshop is about more than just visiting iconic locations. It’s about experience, safety, timing, and personal guidance. Below you’ll find honest reviews from photographers who have joined Jeroen on landscape & drone photo workshops in Greenland. These testimonials reflect real experiences in small groups, hands-on instruction in challenging conditions, and the level of care Jeroen aims to bring to every workshop.
These reviews are verifiable on Jeroen’s public Google Business profile.
Sign Up to the Expedition
11 spots available
After filling out this form, you will get an email with a payment link for a 25% deposit. Your seat is only confirmed after we have received payment. Seats on this workshop are distributed on a first come, first serve basis!
Terms and conditions which apply are those of Nonni Travel, the organising travel agency. You will also be asked to sign a waiver, every participant receives a personal signing link.
This workshop needs at least 10 participants to run. If it does not reach the minimum, your deposit is fully refunded.
