When to go · Ilulissat

Ilulissat in May

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) / −4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C); average high / low
Rain days: 7
Crowds: Low; Greenland overall
Prices: Medium; Greenland overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Ilulissat

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.

May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

IlulissatHighs around 2 °C (36 °F), lows around -4 °C (25 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 36 °F (2 °C), lows around 25 °F (-4 °C), rain on about 7 days
Disko Bay, Greenland · Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuaq, Aasiaatfine
North of the Arctic Circle: midnight sun late May to late July, polar night in December; March–April for sledding with light.

Greenland overall: Thaw and slush; icebergs and sea ice breaking; few tours yet.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ilulissat, side by side.

First month

Second month

May: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.

March: Inside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.

Ilulissat: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.