Saturday, September 21, 2024

Remote island with more whales than people tipped to be a tourist hotspot

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A remote island surrounded by glaciers as tall as skyscrapers with more whales than people is tipped to become the next tourist hotspot.

Disko Island, a remote gem in Greenland, is a must see destination for anyone seeking ultimate tranquillity in a place that remains untouched by humans.

The magical island is one of the best places in Greenland to catch a sighting of some beautiful whales especially minke, fin and humpback whales. If you are lucky you might even spot the blue whale and killer whale.

From early summer Disko Bay is teeming with whales as they feed and frolic in the Greenlandic waters.

Located on the west of Greenland on the south coast of Disko Island lies Qeqertarsuaq, a port and town in the Qeqertalik municipality

The small settlement remains completely untouched with the town only having only one hotel alongside a mixture of private rooms and shared accommodation.

Qeqertarsuaq’s black sand beaches and volcanic rock formations offer unusual whale watching and hiking opportunities in Disko Bay.

Despite Disko being the second largest island in Greenland only around 850 people lived there in 2023, a fall of around a quarter over the 30 years before.

Although fewer people may be living there today, it has been tipped as an up-and-coming tourist destination thanks to the island’s inclusion on Intrepid Travel’s ‘Not Hot’ list.

The eco firm has highlighted ten parts of the world in a bid to to inspire tourists to discover different and unique experiences around the world with communities that can truly benefit from more visitors.

Intrepid is launching an expedition to Greenland in 2025 which will take holidaymakers to settlements seldom visited by tourists and have them hiking to the Lyngemark Glacier, one of the island’s most spectacular attractions, and then stay at a locally owned lodge.

The Nordic nation is also actively seeking more travellers by opening a new international airport this November in Nuukto to make inland travel more accessible, and encouraging tourists off the beaten track.

Greenland implemented a new cruise tax in January 2024, adding DKK 50 (£5.73) per passenger, with these funds staying in the regions where they’re collected to help support the local communities.

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