Illorsuit Island

Island Island in Avannaata municipality, northwest Greenland

A remote Greenland island in Avannaata visited for Arctic coastal scenery, small settlements, boat access and opportunities for fishing and wildlife observation.

Illorsuit Island is an island in the Uummannaq Fjord system in Avannaata municipality, northwestern Greenland. The island is known for the small coastal settlement of Illorsuit located on its shore.

The island is remote and visited mainly by people travelling in the Uummannaq Fjord area; attractions are the fjord scenery, sea-ice and coastal working settlement. There are no large tourist facilities on the island and access is by boat or scheduled/regional helicopter services to nearby settlements.

The island has been occupied by Greenlandic Inuit communities; the settlement of Illorsuit has served as a local fishing and hunting community. Administrative control and services are provided through Greenlandic municipal structures.

Illorsuit sits within the Uummannaq Fjord system off Greenland’s northwestern coast in Avannaata municipality. The island lies in a remote Arctic fjord landscape with other small settlements and islands nearby.

  • Location: Located in the Uummannaq Fjord system of northwestern Greenland, the island is administratively within Avannaata municipality.

What to See #

  • Illorsuit (settlement): Coastal settlement on the island historically occupied by Greenlandic Inuit; contains the cluster of houses and a small harbour used for boat access.
Illorsuit Island
71.1667, -53.7167
Free (no formal facilities)

How to Get to Illorsuit Island #

Illorsuit lies off Greenland’s west coast in Avannaata municipality. Access is by boat or helicopter from larger Greenlandic settlements; travel is seasonal and arranged through local carriers or expedition operators.

Tips for Visiting Illorsuit Island #

  • Villages on the Greenlandic coast are the logistical hubs-air/boat connections are seasonal and sparse.
  • Bring extreme cold-weather gear if visiting outside summer; remoteness and limited services make self-sufficiency important.
  • Respect local culture and any land-use designations-some islands are used seasonally by hunters and fishers.

Best Time to Visit Illorsuit Island #

Summer months offer the safest and most practical access; outside that window sea-ice and severe cold make travel hazardous.

Summer
June-August · 0-8°C
Milder weather and sea approaches possible; best window for boat access and wildlife viewing.
Autumn
September-October · -2-4°C
Turning cold and more unpredictable seas; first sea-ice may appear.
Winter-Spring
November-May · -20--5°C
Harsh conditions and limited access; travel only with experienced expedition operators.

Weather & Climate near Illorsuit Island #

Climate

Illorsuit Island's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -25°C to 10°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
10°
Warmest Month
-25°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -15°C and lows of -20°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-18°
Feels Like Freezing
-18°C
Temperature
-20° -15°

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of -18°C and lows of -23°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-20°
Feels Like Freezing
-20°C
Temperature
-23° -18°

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is the coldest month with highs of -18°C and lows of -25°C. The driest month with just 8 mm.

Comfort

-21°
Feels Like Freezing
-21°C
Temperature
-25° -18°

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is freezing with highs of -12°C and lows of -18°C. Almost no rain.

Comfort

-15°
Feels Like Freezing
-15°C
Temperature
-18° -12°

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -3°

Weather

12 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with 39 mm of rain.

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -9°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-9° -6°

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-13° -10°

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of -12°C and lows of -16°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-14°
Feels Like Freezing
-14°C
Temperature
-16° -12°

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy

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