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 at a Glance#
Admission: Free (no formal facilities)
About Illorsuit Island#
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Illorsuit Island#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -20° - -15° | -27° | 20 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -23° - -18° | -30° | 18 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -25° - -18° | -31° | 8 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -18° - -12° | -23° | 9 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -8° - -3° | -11° | 12 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 0° - 6° | -1° | 28 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 4° - 10° | 4° | 33 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 2° - 8° | 2° | 29 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -4° - 0° | -7° | 39 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -9° - -6° | -14° | 21 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -13° - -10° | -20° | 35 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -16° - -12° | -23° | 31 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |