Sydkap | South Cape of Scoresbysund
Sydkap stretches along the southern boundary of Scoresby Land, where the mighty channels of Øfjord and Nordvestfjord meet Hall Bredning—the wide-open central basin of Scoresbysund.
This ruggedly beautiful landing area offers you relatively low-lying terrain perfect for hiking, with grounded icebergs drifting past that dwarf even expedition vessels. The dark rocky outcrops contrast sharply against luminous ice, creating some of East Greenland's most photogenic landscapes, particularly during the midnight sun or beneath the aurora borealis.
Where is Sydkap?
Despite its name meaning 'South Cape', Sydkap sits on the northern side of Scoresbysund—which makes perfect sense once you realise it marks the southernmost point of Scoresby Land itself. The Greenlandic name is Kangertertivarmit, considerably harder to remember but worth knowing if you're chatting with local hunters from Ittoqqortoormiit, the only town anywhere near this remote location.
You'll find Sydkap positioned at a strategic point where Hall Bredning opens wide, allowing massive icebergs from both Øfjord and Nordvestfjord to drift through. Nordvestfjord is particularly productive, sending out bergs that can stretch one or even two kilometres long.
While strong breezes typically blow west-east through these channels, Sydkap itself enjoys surprisingly calm conditions more often than not, making landings on the rocky shore beneath the old huts quite manageable.
Sydkap guards the entrance to Scoresbysund.
It's where the Atlantic meets the Arctic — and where our expeditions begin their push east. Talk to a specialist.
Hiking, wildlife and history at Sydkap
Hiking and viewpoints
The terrain at Sydkap invites exploration across multiple difficulty levels. Shorter walks of one to two hours will get you to elevated viewpoints offering spectacular perspectives over the fjord system, while those with more time and stamina can push further into the backcountry for extended hiking through pristine Arctic wilderness.
Wildlife of Sydkap
During your walks, you'll likely spot Arctic wildlife perfectly adapted to these harsh conditions:
Arctic hares – often seen bounding across the tundra in their thick white coats
Arctic foxes – hunting along the shorelines and rocky outcrops
During summer months, you might encounter a tent village of local hunters who've traveled from Ittoqqortoormiit to hunt musk oxen in the fjord's inner reaches or fish for Arctic char at nearby river mouths.
Thule heritage at Sydkap
Near the landing site, your guides may point out the low stone outlines of ancient Thule dwellings—subtle traces of seasonal camps used by the ancestors of today’s Greenlandic Inuit. These early Arctic hunters travelled the fjord systems by kayak and umiak, following seal, whale, and inland game across the tundra. What remains today are the foundations of turf-and-stone houses and tent rings, quiet reminders of a culture that thrived in East Greenland’s harsh environment for centuries.
More extensive archaeological traces can be found on Ingmikêrtikajik, the island southeast of Sydkap, where evidence of human habitation stretches back hundreds of years and reflects the long history of travel and hunting throughout the Scoresbysund fjord system.
Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise
76°50'N, 23°10'W
The ultimate Greenland experience – a unique two-week adventure into Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park, and Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth.
- 12 guests
- 11 — 13 days
Scoresbysund Autumn Micro Cruise
70°50’N, 25°00’W
An autumn micro cruise to Scoresbysund, East Greenland. For landscape lovers and aurora chasers – the ultimate expedition of Earth and sky.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour
70°50’N, 25°00’W
Capture the heavens bursting with light above the monumental icebergs and high-drama landscape of Scoresbysund.
- 12 guests
- 8 — 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour with Virgil Reglioni
70°50’N, 25°00’W
With 0% light pollution and insane iceberg sculptures, paired with the world’s finest aurora borealis photographer, you’re in for a treat.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour with Randy Hanna
70°50’N, 25°00’W
Photograph the northern lights illuminating the skies above Scoresbysund with nature photography legend Randy Hanna.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Experience Scoresbysund with Secret Atlas
Scoresbysund's scale and remoteness demand an expedition approach that prioritizes flexibility and intimate access. Our expedition micro cruises have just 12 guests, giving you the agility to adapt when conditions favor extended hiking at Sydkap or when that perfect iceberg drifts into position for photography.
Your expert guides know the archaeological sites, the best viewpoints for those one or two hour walks, and where Arctic foxes tend to hunt along the shoreline. They'll get you ashore in our Zodiacs when larger vessels would struggle with the rocky landing, and they'll take time to explain the Thule settlement remains rather than rushing you through a checklist of sites.
The calm conditions that often grace Sydkap mean more time ashore exploring rather than waiting aboard ship for weather windows. With fewer guests, you'll actually have space to photograph those luminous icebergs against dark outcrops without elbowing through crowds.
Just you, a small intimate group, and one of Earth's most dramatic fjord systems stretching toward the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise
76°50'N, 23°10'W
The ultimate Greenland experience – a unique two-week adventure into Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park, and Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth.
- 12 guests
- 11 — 13 days
Scoresbysund Autumn Micro Cruise
70°50’N, 25°00’W
An autumn micro cruise to Scoresbysund, East Greenland. For landscape lovers and aurora chasers – the ultimate expedition of Earth and sky.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour
70°50’N, 25°00’W
Capture the heavens bursting with light above the monumental icebergs and high-drama landscape of Scoresbysund.
- 12 guests
- 8 — 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour with Virgil Reglioni
70°50’N, 25°00’W
With 0% light pollution and insane iceberg sculptures, paired with the world’s finest aurora borealis photographer, you’re in for a treat.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour with Randy Hanna
70°50’N, 25°00’W
Photograph the northern lights illuminating the skies above Scoresbysund with nature photography legend Randy Hanna.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Sydkap is where Scoresbysund begins. What's beyond it is extraordinary.
Our East Greenland expeditions pass Sydkap on the way into the fjord system. Book a free call and we'll tell you what to expect on the other side.
The Expedition Micro Cruise concept
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