6. Information about the Illimanaq Cruise Port

Ilimanaq, formerly known by its Danish name Claushavn, is a picturesque and historic settlement located on Disko Bay in West Greenland, about 15 kilometers south of Ilulissat. The current Greenlandic name appropriately means "Place of Expectations." With only around 50 inhabitants, Ilimanaq is one of the smaller, yet culturally significant places in the region.

The settlement is situated directly at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thus offering a breathtaking backdrop where gigantic icebergs drift past. The colorful wooden houses and well-restored colonial-era buildings, including the administrator's house from 1751 and the church from 1908, bear witness to the long history of the place, which was founded in 1741.

The Village

Ilimanaq, with its approximately 50 inhabitants, is very manageable and easy to explore on foot. We had an overnight stay here and simply explored the place briefly on the first day. In Ilimanaq, there is a supermarket that carries the most essential items. Please keep in mind that fruit and vegetables are not available in the quantities we are used to, and refrain from buying these products.

Magnets and souvenirs are also available here, but if you really want to support the residents of Ilimanaq, look for souvenirs in the Lodge's gift shop. These are made by the residents. Otherwise, the settlement is quickly explored. There are the typical colorful wooden houses, a small church, and the Ilimanaq Lodge."

Illimanaq Lodge

The Ilimanaq Lodge was built directly on the fjord. With its bungalows overlooking Disko Bay, it attracts visitors who want to enjoy the tranquility and unique nature around Ilimanaq. The bungalows are luxuriously furnished, and the restaurant and reception are housed in the village's two oldest buildings. The Lodge's restaurant is considered one of the leading restaurants in Greenland. It maintains a high standard, and the focus is on locally sourced food.

However, the peace and the view come at a price; we briefly considered spending a night there, but one night costs over 300€.

Disko Bay

Disko Bay is certainly the absolute highlight of a trip to Greenland. The Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier is one of the most productive glaciers in the world and a central part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord. It moves towards the sea at up to 40 meters per day. The glacier calves around 70 to 100 tons of ice daily into the Kangia Fjord, where the icebergs accumulate before drifting into Disko Bay.

Inuk Adventure

We booked our boat trip into Disko Bay through Inuk Adventure. Inuk Adventure offers many experiences in Ilulissat and Ilimanaq, including small boat trips into Disko Bay. The boat has space for 6 people, but since we spontaneously joined an earlier group, there were eight of us. During the approximately one-and-a-half-hour trip, you will learn a lot about Disko Bay, the icebergs, and the nature. We can confidently recommend Inuk Adventure.

Book boat tours locally

If you couldn't book a boat tour into Disko Bay before your trip or decide spontaneously on the spot, the residents of Ilimanaq are well prepared. Right as you walk from the pier into the village, a woman will be waiting for you, offering boat tours with the fishermen. During our visit, the price was 50€ per person. This is significantly cheaper than booking through shipping companies or other providers. However, getting into the fishing boats is not entirely easy, as the picture above shows. We only heard good things from fellow travelers about the trips with the fishing boats.