Viking Bay, Greenland | A Guide to Vikingebugt in Scoresbysund

Since the Danish term 'Vikinge' relates to Vikings, the term Vikingbugt is usually translated as ‘Viking Bay’. This stunning bay is located deep inside the famed Scoresbysund fjord system in East Greenland and is a popular destination for cruise ships. That said, some other spots on Greenland's west coast are often referred to as Viking Bay, as they have some links with Norse explorers who settled in Greenland.

The Viking past of Greenland

It's common for Greenland locations to carry names rooted in the island's Viking history. Greenland's Viking era began in the 980s when Erik the Red discovered the island during a time of scarce resources in Iceland. Erik spun tales of finding fertile land and named it 'Greenland' to lure more settlers.

Over the following decades, Vikings settled on the west coast, dividing into two main areas – the Eastern and Western settlements. The harsh Arctic environment wasn't suitable for farming, but Vikings managed to grow some grains and maintain livestock. Recent estimates suggest the total Viking population peaked around 2,500.

After about 400 years, the thriving Viking settlements in Greenland mysteriously disappeared in the 15th century. Researchers attribute this to multiple challenges – from climate change to the sudden drop in demand for walrus ivory. Today, remains of Viking structures including churches, barns, farmsteads, and residential halls are found across various Greenland locations.

The Vikingebugt Viking connection

Vikingebugt has no known relation to Vikings. The bay and Scoresbysund fjord system are located on Greenland's east coast, where no major Viking settlements have been found. There are, though, remains of Inuit settlements in nearby locations like Danmark Island.

Landmarks in Vikingebugt

Cruise ships typically approach Vikingebugt through Scoresbysund's southern section, following the coastline of Volquart Boons Kyst (named after Volquaart Boon). The coastline is rocky with precipitous basalt cliffs along the entire route. Created by lava flows, some cliffs rise around 1,500 metres above sea level.

Vikingebugt is a large bay located between the headland of Kap Stevenson and Helgenæs – a remote, fragile edge of Greenland's wilderness that's rarely visited. At the bay's end sits Brede Gletscher (broad glacier), constantly sending large ice fragments floating down the bay.

How to reach Vikingebugt

Vikingebugt can only be reached by expedition ship entering the vast Scoresbysund fjord system. Most voyages to East Greenland traditionally depart from Iceland or Svalbard and sail across the Denmark Strait before reaching the fjords. Secret Atlas's Svalbard - Greenland expedition follows this classic route, departing from Longyearbyen in Svalbard, exploring East Greenland and concluding the voyage in Akureyri, Iceland.

Most of our Greenland expeditions, however, start at Constable Point (Nerlerit Inaat Airport), reached by a private charter flight from Iceland. This allows you to step directly into the heart of Scoresbysund within hours—maximising your time exploring glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife instead of spending days at sea.

Once aboard, your vessel follows a flexible, ice-aware route through Scoresbysund to reach remote locations such as Vikingebugt whenever conditions allow.

The best time for visiting Vikingebugt is during the summer months, between late July and early October. Considering that it is situated within the Arctic Circle, the access points to the fjord remain blocked by ice for the rest of the year. The water in the fjords freezes during winter, making it impassable for cruise ships.

The weather remains mild in summer, and it is the ideal season for photographing wildlife. However, autumn tours of the Storesbysund fjord offer chances of observing spectacular views of the Northern lights. Even though the visibility of the Northern Lights is unpredictable, this is one of the best areas in the Arctic for witnessing the Aurora, as the light pollution is zero. 

Climate change has made Greenland's weather more erratic, and even in summer, the weather can turn foggy and windy at any point. This can result in rough seas and strong currents. The bay remains iceberg-littered throughout the year, and zodiac cruises may not be possible if weather conditions are not favourable.  Depending on weather conditions, alterations in a ship’s itinerary may be made.

Ideally, a zodiac has enough space for the passengers to use a camera comfortably. Even so, riding with a group on a zodiac requires a coordinated approach to prevent inconveniencing other photographers in the group. An experienced photography guide can help in creating the right plan for optimising the opportunities. 

Also, make sure to take the right steps to protect your camera and lens from the elements. Use a dry bag or a rain cover to protect your gear from sprays and light rain. Using lens cleaning wipes is a good idea, as the build-up of salt spray on the lens surfaces is quite common. Make sure to keep the wipes in a dry pocket.