Have a little time on your hands while in Ilulissat? If you'd like to get out of town to see something new, there are several day trips outside of Ilulissat you may want to try.
Oqaatsut (Rodebay)
Oqaatsut is a small settlement just north of Ilulissat; It was once a Dutch center for whaling and got the name Rodebay (red bay) because of that. If it's not too windy, you can reach Oqaatsut in 30-40 minutes in a speedboat.
Visiting Oqaatsut from Ilulissat can be done in more than one way. A popular way to get there and by far the most common is sailing by speedboat, but you can also hike. If you're more like me, you can go via speedboat with several tour companies which are listed here. I've tried all 3, and in my personal opinion, you can't go wrong with anyone that you choose,
All 3 are very nice and will make sure that you have a wonderful experience. I contact all of them whenever I am in Ilulissat and have some extra time.
There are different tours available that will transport you to Oqaatsut one-way, and you hike back to Ilulissat or vice-versa. It's not something I've personally tried, but I'm not that serious a hiker to make a hike like that. Check out Guide to Greenland if you're interested in such an experience.
Depending on the tour you take, you can have lunch at the one and only restaurant there which you will likely see as soon as you arrive,
Iliminaq
Iliminaq is also a small settlement but to the south of Ilulissat. It is slightly bigger than #Oqaatsut and also has a nice restaurant. As can be seen everywhere in Greenland, houses are quite colorful and are a nice contrast to the other surroundings which may or may not include icebergs.
I've only been once, but the icebergs were quite distant, so much so that some seemed like figments of my imagination. There are lodges for accommodations which are quite popular with some travelers.
Both Oqaatsut and #Iliminaq will offer a more peaceful setting than larger towns or settlements.
Eqi Glacier (the calving glacier)
If you have a full day, a day trip to #Eqi Glacier is a great way to spend it. But keep in mind it's a trip total of 6 hours. You can opt for smaller speedboats like with Greenland Backcountry or book a trip through Guide to Greenland.
There are options to camp and hike in the area. Ask your tour operator what they offer. I personally have not overnighted or hiked there. I went on a tour on a speedboat and we enjoyed witnessing a few calvings and drifting nearby icebergs that calved from other glaciers.
It is known as one of the most actively calving glaciers though you are not likely to see huge calvings. Whichever tour operator you choose, you can rest assured that you will keep a safe distance. Since Eqi is the most popular, it's not often mentioned that you will likely see other glaciers en route to Eqi. No matter what, you are sure to enjoy the stunning views which will be basically all around you.
Qeqertarsuaq (Disko Island)
If you're looking for an even more dramatic landscape, a trip to #Qeqertarsuaq is in order. With black sand beaches, a waterfall, colorful houses, a glacier, and tall mountains, it's just different.
It's a 2-hour trip by boat from Ilulissat. Depending on your activity level, you can hike to the glacier which I was told takes an hour, likely 2 for me :) because it's also all uphill. You can also go dogsledding even in the summer, the only place where you can do that. Take a walk to the black sand beach and see the shore dotted with ice and the colorful houses in the background.
After you've had your fill of hiking or exploring other things, take a break at Hotel Disko Island where you can have coffee or depending on the time, you can have dinner in the restaurant.
Which one would you be most interested in seeing?
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