A Seasonal Guide to Iceland and East Greenland

Each summer, the far north awakens in spectacular fashion, as the Arctic transforms from austere to abundant, teeming with life under near-endless daylight. Along Iceland’s volcanic shores and the glacier-carved fjords of East Greenland, the season sets the landscape into constant motion—puffins returning to seaside cliffs, whales surfacing in rich feeding grounds and icebergs drifting seaward from active glaciers.

From early summer’s lingering ice to the later season’s open water and peak wildlife activity, each month reveals a different side of Iceland and East Greenland. Here’s what June, July and August each have to offer on a journey through the region with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

June

Spring is still brushing up against winter during Icelandic June, so days can unfold in surprising ways—soft sunlight over blooming coastal hillsides one moment, a sudden sweep of snow across distant peaks the next. Puffins have already returned to the cliffs and settled into the season, and whales begin arriving in greater numbers. With hiking trails reopening and port towns still relatively quiet, June offers a rare, early-season glimpse of the Arctic before the midsummer rush takes hold.

Along Greenland’s eastern coastline, the month carries a different kind of drama, shaped by ice in motion. As the cold air from the ice meets the warm air drifting off the continent, fog creates a mystical gateway to the ice belt moving down the coast. Conditions permitting, Zodiac cruising can be especially exhilarating at this time of year, with seals, seabirds and whales frequently spotted. 

Iceland's summer is in full swing in July. (Photo Credit: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions)

July

By July, Iceland’s summer is in full swing, bringing longer days, thriving wildlife and peak energy along the fjords. Puffins are busy raising their chicks, and an even wider variety of whale species arrives in the nutrient-rich waters offshore. Meltwater now surges through glacial rivers, powering full waterfalls and creating striking scenery at every turn, while kayaking and Zodiac cruising remain possible, conditions permitting.

July also marks a shift in Greenland as the summer ice melt begins to open new possibilities for exploration. Icebergs still drift outward from calving glaciers, and whales and seals remain abundant among the fjords. Breeding seabirds return to their rookeries, bringing new life and motion to the rugged cliffs and remote coastline. 

August is Iceland at its most exuberant and is the peak season. (Photo Credit: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions)

August

August is Iceland at its most exuberant—a peak season of long light, when residents and visitors alike take to the countryside for the best hiking of the year. Puffins, however, begin their quiet departure by mid-month, leaving the cliffs behind to spend the rest of the year at sea. With kayaking and Zodiac cruising still possible, August offers some of the last chances to soak in Iceland’s vibrant summer wildlife before the season begins its shift toward autumn.

In East Greenland, August often delivers the most consistent open-water conditions of the summer. Wildlife viewing is frequently at its best, with whales and seabirds feeding in abundance and the chance to spot Arctic fox, hare or even musk ox roaming the tundra slopes.

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