Arctic Land vs. Sea: Different Routes, One Destination

Author : Unwild Planet

Did you know the Arctic spans over 14 million square kilometers - larger than the United States and Europe combined - yet fewer than 4 million people live here? With temperatures plummeting to -50°C in winter and the sun never setting in summer, it’s one of Earth’s most extreme and captivating regions.

This icy land has fascinated explorers for centuries, and today, there are two primary ways you can explore this region: by land or sea. Each route offers a unique perspective. Here’s everything you need to know about Arctic cruise vs. land tour, and what is the best fit for your adventure!

Exploring the Arctic by Land

Greenland

Greenland’s expansive wilderness is more than just a scenic view. It’s an immersive experience.
In Ilulissat, hike along marked trails with stunning views of the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, where towering icebergs float silently by.
Venture to the Greenland Ice Sheet’s edge, explore colorful Inuit settlements, and visit community-run museums that offer a glimpse into modern Inuit life.

Greenland’s immense scale and solitude will leave you in awe, even when you’re on land.

Svalbard

Svalbard is a rugged Arctic landscape where every adventure is unique.
Traverse frozen valleys and tundra by snowmobile or guided hikes. Discover abandoned coal mining towns, explore natural ice caves, and spot Arctic foxes and reindeer in their natural habitat.
While the Global Seed Vault can’t be entered, our travellers can learn about its global importance through our polar experts and exhibitions in Longyearbyen.

Other Arctic Destinations

For more land-based Arctic adventures, consider visiting Lapland, where Sámi reindeer herders continue their traditions, or Arctic Canada, known for its community-led wildlife tracking and cultural walks across the tundra.

Travel Modes

Dog Sledding – Once the primary mode of Arctic transport, dog sledding dates back at least 9,000 years and remains one of the most thrilling ways to explore the tundra.
Snowmobiling – Cover up to 200 km in a single day, reaching places inaccessible by foot or sled.
Hiking & Overland Expeditions – During summer, the Arctic bursts into life with tundra wildflowers, making it an excellent time for trekking. Greenland travel in summer allows for breathtaking hikes across glacial landscapes.

Best Season

Winter (October to March): Ideal for dog sledding and Northern Lights viewing.
Summer (June to August): Experience the midnight sun, active wildlife, and hiking opportunities as ice recedes. Svalbard travel during summer offers an extended period of daylight for exploration.

Land-Based Experiences (recommended by Unwild Planet)

Live with Arctic Communities – Stay with reindeer herders in a traditional Sámi tent or visit an Inuit village to learn how locals hunt and fish in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
Explore the Arctic Terrain – Trek across frozen fjords, basalt cliffs, and ice caves that shift and reform every year.
Chase the Northern Lights – Tromsø, Norway, is one of the world’s best locations for witnessing the aurora borealis, which is strongest during the solar maximum every 11 years.

Exploring the Arctic by Sea

The Arctic Ocean covers roughly 5.4 million square miles, and its waters are home to some of the planet’s most elusive creatures. Less than 1% of the Arctic’s islands are inhabited, making sea-based travel the best way to reach its most untouched corners. If you're considering an Arctic cruise vs. land tour, sailing allows you to explore vast icy landscapes inaccessible by foot.

Best Destinations

Svalbard travel – This archipelago is home to over 3,000 polar bears and offers some of the best Arctic wildlife viewing in the world.
Franz Josef Land (Russia) – A rarely visited, glacier-covered archipelago where explorers like Fridtjof Nansen once endured Arctic survival challenges.
Greenland travel – Sail past icebergs the size of skyscrapers, where scientists monitor melting rates that could reshape global coastlines.
Northwest Passage (Canada) – Once an impossible dream for European explorers, this fabled route is now accessible thanks to modern expedition ships.

Svalbard

Svalbard, one of the northernmost inhabited places on Earth, offers a unique Arctic experience by sea. Cruise through ice-filled fjords and towering mountains, reaching remote areas inaccessible by land.
This region is polar bear territory, where you can spot them roaming the ice or swimming between the floes. Along with walruses, seabird cliffs, and reindeer, these waters offer an up-close encounter with Arctic wildlife.
Explore Spitsbergen, where you’ll discover abandoned whaling stations and frozen mining settlements, all narrated by experts on board.

Greenland by Sea

Greenland’s vast, rugged coastline is made for exploration by ship. Its massive glaciers and deep fjords can only be fully appreciated from the water, offering a front-row view of towering icebergs calving from the Ilulissat Icefjord.
A cruise through Greenland not only showcases its natural beauty but also takes you to remote Inuit settlements. Here, you can learn about local traditions, dogsled culture, and life in one of the harshest climates on Earth.
Along the way, keep an eye out for humpback whales breaching near the ship.

Other Arctic Destinations

The Northwest Passage, once thought impossible to cross, is now a must-experience sea route. Cruise through Canada’s Arctic archipelago and explore ice, history, and landscapes few have seen firsthand.

Travel Modes

Expedition Cruises – Equipped with polar experts, Zodiacs, and onboard scientists providing insights into Arctic ecology and climate change.
Icebreaker Ships – Designed to cut through thick ice, these ships provide access to regions that remain inaccessible to standard vessels.
Small Yachts – Ideal for private, intimate explorations of remote Arctic inlets and islands.

Best Season

Summer & Early Autumn (June to September): When ice retreats, allowing ships to sail deep into the Arctic, and wildlife - including whales, seabirds, and walruses - is most active. Greenland travel by sea during this period ensures stunning iceberg views.

Summer to early autumn is the best time to explore Svalbard and Greenland by sea. As the ice retreats, ships can reach remote fjords, and wildlife, from whales and walruses to seabirds and polar bears, is at its most active. Expect clear skies, stunning iceberg views, and long daylight hours, making it the perfect time for Arctic exploration.

Sea-Based Experiences (recommended by Unwild Planet)

Encounter Arctic Wildlife – Spot narwhals, often called the “unicorns of the sea,” whose spiraled tusks can grow up to 3 meters long.
Sail Through a Frozen Wonderland – Witness icebergs that glow with an eerie blue light, a phenomenon caused by compacted ice absorbing shorter wavelengths of sunlight.
Expedition in Comfort – Unlike historical explorers who faced starvation and scurvy, today’s expedition travellers enjoy gourmet dining and heated cabins while traversing one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Can’t Choose? Combine Both!

For a complete Arctic experience, mix land and sea. Begin in an Arctic town, learning survival skills from indigenous guides, then embark on an overland journey before boarding an expedition cruise to explore remote islands and icy fjords. Hybrid itineraries offer the ultimate blend of culture, adventure, and wildlife. An Arctic cruise vs. land tour doesn’t have to be a choice - why not experience both?

Let our experts at UnWild Planet help you plan an unforgettable Arctic tour!