6 Spectacular Fjords to Explore on Expedition
With their sheer cliffs and water-filled valleys, fjords are a stunning reminder of the transformative power of ice. These sea passages slice through coastlines in and around the planet’s polar regions, revealing a map of the places glaciers once grew. Though united in their geology, the fjords of the world are surprisingly varied: some provide safe harbor to snug fishing villages, while other, less hospitable channels are choked with active glacial ice year-round.
Whatever the backdrop, sailing through a fjord is a thrilling journey through millions of years of geological change. From the granite cathedrals of Chilean Patagonia to the sloping coastal forests of Alaska, here are six places where you can experience the majesty of a fjord directly from the ship's deck on a voyage with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska
The backwaters of Misty Fjords National Monument wind their way through the world’s largest temperate rainforest: 2.3 million acres of cedar, Sitka spruce and hemlock that make up the greater Tongass National Forest. The wildlife attracted to this remote and roadless place may steal your attention from the stunning scenery, despite the sapphire waters and 2,000-foot cliffs. Saiing through the fjords offers the possiblity to spot orca spyhopping, brown bears fishing along the shoreline or porpoises playing in the wake of your ship. The National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet has special permission to explore here, so practice using your camera zoom and don’t forget your binoculars.
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Nordfjord, Norway
The Norwegian coastline is so prominently carved with deep and narrow glacial inlets that the Norse gave them—and subsequently the world—their geological name. In this country of more than 1,000 fjords, the 66-mile long Nordfjord is a scenic haven for both adventurers and photographers. Spend an idyllic day in Loen, which is home to an aerial tramway that climbs more than 3,300 feet above the fjord, offering indescribable views of the landscape below. Lace up your hiking boots to tackle one of the trails for an immersive view of the valley or embark on a boat ride across Loen Lake to catch a glimpse of the retreating Kjenndal glacier and the striking geography of the region.
Explore Nordfjord on:
Coastal Norwegian Voyage: Between Tromsø and Edinburgh >
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard >
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland
The majestic Ilulissat Icefjord extends about 60 miles between one toe of the Greenland ice sheet at a glacier called Sermeq Kujalleq, the world’s fastest moving glacier. The icebergs generated here can soar up to 300 feet above the water’s surface, some so big they resemble floating cities of snow complete with carved archways. Explore with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions aboard state-of-the-art polar ships and you'll sail into to Disko Bay, where the glacier’s tongue meets the mouth of the fjord. Trails along the shoreline lead to a rocky promontory that allows for stunning views over the Greenland icecap, the northern hemisphere’s final fragment of ice sheet from the last Quaternary Ice Age.
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Chilean Fjords, Patagonia
In the southernmost reaches of South America, the Chilean Fjords form a massive maze of soaring granite still shaped by active glaciers. Not every vessel is nimble enough to ply these waters, but the small ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet deftly navigate narrow channels to take travelers to the innermost corridors of this geological labyrinth. Witness the ice at work in Glacier Alley, where five tidewater glaciers calve iridescent chunks into the mirrored water. Looming views of ice-capped volcanoes and subpolar forests frame these rugged fjord lands at the ends of the Earth, adding to the indescribable scenery.
Fjords of the Faroe Islands
Isolated and unique, the Faroe Islands form a picturesque medley of verdant pastures, tumbling waterfalls, towering basalt sea stacks and tiny, colorful towns. Several of the 18 isles that make up this far-flung archipelago have been eternally shaped by deeply carved fjords. Eysturoy in the north is home to the highest mountains in the Faroes and it’s here that guests of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions will find themselves immersed in the dramatic scenery as they explore the trails alongside local villagers who will share their hospitality and expertise of the area's fjords and winding trails.
Picturesque view of the village of Gjogv with typically colourful houses on the Eysturoy island, Faroe Islands.
Photo: Shutterstock
Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska
The ice that calves off South Sawyer Glacier takes its time floating through the serene waters of Tracy Arm, giving travelers plenty of opportunities for close-up views. Aboard an Alaska expedition, you'll make the most of Mother Nature’s extended show. In addition to cruising up to the glacier’s terminus in expedition ships, guests can embark either on Zodiacs or kayaks and drift alongside the slow-moving ice sculptures. Icebergs aren’t the only wonders in these aquamarine waters though: they’re also home to orcas, humpback whales and harbor seals, which can often be spotted hauled-out on the floes.
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
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