East Greenland Sailing expedition — JULIA PYLAK PHOTOGRAPHY

EAST GREENLAND - SAILING EXPEDITION TO SCORESBYSUND

Prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime!

Sail through a labyrinth of towering icebergs, ancient glaciers, and mirror-still Arctic waters aboard the expedition yacht Southern Star. Together, we will explore one of the last true wildernesses on Earth - East Greenland - raw, majestic, and untouched.

In September, the light dances across the ice in golden tones, the days grow softer, and the first Aurora Borealis begins to illuminate the polar sky. It’s the perfect time to experience Greenland’s magic: long twilights, dramatic landscapes, and a rare calm that feels suspended in time. Arctic wildlife moves around here as well - whales, seals, birds; occasionally musk ox, arctic fox and hopefully polar bears.

This is a journey crafted for landscape, wildlife, and drone photographers, but also for anyone who feels drawn to wild places and unforgettable experiences. Whether you shoot with a professional camera or simply wish to stand in awe of nature’s creation, this expedition promises moments that will stay with you forever.

Together, we’ll capture the Arctic’s silent poetry — the glow of glacial ice at sunrise, reflections on still water, and the dance of northern lights above a frozen horizon. But beyond photography, this is an invitation to live fully — to share laughter, stories, and discovery in great company at the edge of the world.

Sounds like an epic adventure?

Are you ready for an exclusive opportunity to explore the largest and most spectacular fjord system on our planet? Join us in September for the journey of a lifetime with a group of like-minded adventurers!

Limited spots available. Reserve your place to witness and capture largest fjord system on Earth!

DATES

17.09-24.09.2026

PRICE

4300 €

GROUP SIZE

Max. 10 participants

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Easy/Moderate

Trip description

This is not just a journey - it’s an immersion into silence, scale, and light.
or an extraordinary voyage into the far reaches of East Greenland, aboard the expedition yacht Southern Star. In September 2026, we sail into Scoresbysund fjord - one of the most breathtaking, isolated places on Earth. Glaciers pour into the sea, icebergs the size of cathedrals float beside us, and the air is crisp, clear, and alive with Arctic light.

Across eight days at sea, our route unfurls through Greenland’s remote wilderness. From the moment you set foot in Ittoqqortoormiit, you will feel the edges of the known world receding behind you. We’ll cross rugged fjords whose walls rise sharply from icy depths, glaciers that rumble and crack in the distance, and seas that mirror the sky in infinite shades of blue and grey. We will drift among icebergs, many sculptural, some huge, others melting slowly, each one unique. Zodiac boats will carry us to the shores of islands that rise sharply from the Arctic waters; coastlines cut by ice, bays where driftwood floats, and shores dusted already with early snow.

Our route begins and ends in Ittoqqortoormiit - Greenland’s most remote settlement, accessible only by air and sea. From there, we sail into the immense labyrinth of Scoresbysund, navigating through fjords framed by basalt cliffs, icebergs, and mountain ridges. We’ll explore areas like Denmark Ø, Milne Land, Gåseland, Øfjord, and Bear Islands - each revealing a different face of the Arctic. Some days we’ll hike along rocky coasts or climb gentle ridges for elevated views; others we’ll drift quietly among icebergs, watching color and light shift by the minute.

Wildlife is part of the magic: whales surfacing in the fjords, seals resting on drifting ice, birds nesting on steep cliffs. Occasionally, we may encounter musk ox or the elusive Arctic fox and hopefully the star of The Arctic - polar bear.

Evenings will be slow and reflective - editing sessions, discussions, and shared insights on storytelling, color, and emotion. When skies are clear, we’ll step outside to photograph the aurora shimmering over the ice.

This is a space for creative exploration - for embracing weather, movement, and stillness. For finding your own voice in the wilderness.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to have any knowledge of photography or own specialised equipment – even a phone will do! Also, we will spend the time giving you each direct guidance, so our personal gear will be available for you to try and see if you’ll like it. All you need is enthusiasm! Together, we’ll practice photography, explain the basics of good composition, and share our experiences. And if you won’t be interested in learning photography, you’ll still return from the trip with an incredible souvenirs in the form of photographs we’ll take for you.

Participants will receive access to the workshop group on Facebook, where we share tips and advices about trip to Iceland and also conduct casual discussions - we want our trip to be completely friendly and without formal barriers.

The detailed program and extensive Pre-Departure Preparation Material with full itinerary, location descriptions and full packing list, that only participants will receive is filled with stunning locations and landscapes. We will visit them depending on weather conditions and the level of security.

Life on board Southern Star

Your floating sanctuary for this adventure is Southern Star, a 23.3-metre aluminium staysail cutter built for polar seas and carved out for exploration. She has completed 21 Arctic seasons, and her decks have felt the spray of ice in 17 polar expeditions, including twice traversing the legendary Northwest Passage—one of the most demanding passages in the world.

Onboard, seven comfortable two-person cabins await, each warmly heated after long hours photographing in Zodiac boats or exploring glaciers. Three bathrooms with hot water offer real comfort at sea; the salon with library is a place to gather, discuss images you will take, rest and watch the light. The kitchen is fully equipped - stove, oven, refrigeration, freezer - enough to prepare warm, nourishing meals, sometimes complemented by fresh catch from the sea. There’s also a Starlink and enough space to charge your equipment.

What makes Southern Star special is her agility. Her adjustable daggerboard lets her reduce her draft to about 2.4 meters, allowing access to shallow bays and glacier edges that deeper vessels must skip. That means more intimate landings, more dramatic close-ups of ice, water, and shoreline.

The crew have guided Southern Star through some of the harshest polar environments, navigating sea-ice, ensuring safety without dampening creative pursuit. Their experience gives you confidence; their knowledge of fjords, ice movements, and Arctic weather will shape our itinerary in real time - always aiming for safety, always swinging toward beauty. You can read more about the yach here (in polish)

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: This trip is suitable for anyone with a moderate fitness level who enjoys exploring the outdoors. No advanced hiking experience is necessary but you should be comfortable:

Embarking/disembarking from Zodiac boats (stepping over small gaps, wet, possibly moving deck)
Walking on uneven, rocky shorelines, possibly icy or wet surfaces
Enduring cold, wind and sudden weather shifts;
Carrying camera gear, sometimes over some short hikes. The pace of exploration will be relaxed, and the itinerary allows for plenty of breaks.

Coverage

Cost of participation in the Greenland expedition with photography workshops is €4,300 + flight costs

Payment is made in two INSTALMENTS - the first INSTALMENT of €1,500 is required upon registration to secure your spot.

What's included:

Expedition cruise through the Scoresbysund fjord aboard a fully equipped yacht with an experienced Arctic crew from Navigare YC;
Accommodation in comfortable and heated twin cabins with bedding and shared facilities;
Photography workshop conducted throughout the voyage day and night sessions;
Extensive Pre-Departure Preparation Material
- Equipment and Itinerary Pack
- Destination-specific Guide - everything you need to know about locations we will see;
All hikes ashore;
All zodiac excursions to shore;
Basic sailing training during the expedition;
Yacht insurance and marine rescue coverage
What’s NOT included:
International flights (to/from Greenland and Iceland), charter flight for the route Reykjavik–Ittoqqortoormiit–Reykjavik, that we will help you with, cost approximately €1,600)
Personal travel & medical insurance - this is a requirement to participate in the trip.
Optional extras (souvenirs, special permits, etc.)
Transportation and additional nights in Iceland before/after the trip

You can direct all registrations and inquiries regarding the expedition directly to the organizer – Navigare YC – via the contact form
Please make sure to include the correct travel dates when contacting them directly: 17–24 September 2026.

Last words.

This Expedition is far more than a chance to snap beautiful images - it is an invitation to witness a symphony of light, ice, silence, and scale. You will feel the cold on your face, the crunch of ice underfoot, the echo of glacier calving, the hush of twilight that seems endless. Each day will stretch you: physically, creatively, emotionally - in the best possible way.

We’ll wake before dawn for soft light, watch glaciers glow as sun touches their ridges, spend hours waiting for the right moment when ice reflections land just so. Nights might bring Northern Lights, shimmering above fjords as though the sky itself decided to descend. And in the quiet spaces between light and shadow, you’ll find your photographs becoming more than images - they will become memories you carry.

Together on Southern Star, surrounded by Arctic grandeur, guided by skill and passion, you will return home not only with pictures, but with stories: of solitude and grandeur; of what light looks like when the world is wide and cold; of what it means to have seen something rare. If you seek beauty, depth, wild landscapes, a place where art and wilderness meet - this expedition is waiting for you.

Weather can be unpredictable - snow, fog, mist, or blazingly clear skies - but in that variability lies the magic. Sometimes we’ll pause the planned route, waiting for skies to open. Sometimes we’ll scramble over rocky ridges or the shore’s edge to reach views seen only after hard steps. But in every case, the journey is slow, appreciative: light is the guide, ice is the subject, silence the soundtrack.

The realisation of the route depends entirely on weather and ice conditions, and the final itinerary decisions are made by the captain, who continuously adjusts the plan according to the sea conditions and the safety of the crew.
This expedition also provides an excellent opportunity to gain extensive sea-time experience, in accordance with the Regulation of the Polish Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation concerning the qualifications and training of commercial yacht crews. Furthermore, it meets the criteria for tidal-water navigation regarding water tourism, and fulfills the requirements for voyages on yachts with a hull length LOA > 20 m, needed to obtain a Yacht Captain License.

We want to share our passion with you—not only for photography but for extraordinary destinations. And most importantly, we want you to feel like you’re traveling with a group of friends. This trip is about creating unforgettable memories, capturing epic landscapes, and sharing the adventure with like-minded explorers who share the same passion. Get ready for an experience you’ll never forget!

THE HOSTS

Julia Pylak and Patryk Biegański are experienced photographers who capture unique moments and landscapes as they travel to various corners of the world. It's hard for us to sit still in one place, and our passion and love for travel and creating have taken us to many unexpected locations. We have decided to showcase the most beautiful areas of the world and share the photographic knowledge we have acquired over the years. Our efforts have been recognized by Sony, Nikon, Sigma, Marumi, Switzerland Tourism, Front Runner Europe, Smyril Line, BF Goodrich, GoVilnius, National Geographic, and many others.

We are hosting this photo expedition together with NAVIGARE YC - sailing company specializing in high-latitude expeditions, with years of experience navigating Arctic waters and organizing adventurous voyages that combine safety, professionalism, and a true spirit of exploration.

FAQs

Citizens of the EU and Schengen Area countries can enter Iceland with a valid ID card or passport. To enter Greenland, a valid passport is required, as it is outside the Schengen zone but you do not need any visa. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date. If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU, check visa requirements in advance
Not at all! This workshop is open to all levels, from complete beginners to professionals. and fot those who are not interested in photography at all! You’ll receive individual guidance throughout the trip, and even if you only have a smartphone, you’ll come home with beautiful photos and unforgettable memories. Just keep in mind that we will host some editing sessions and other discussions in the evenings, so if you won’t be there to learn you can always enjoy the views or read some books from the library, while waiting for the rest to finish :)
In September, temperatures usually range from 0°C to +10°C, with a mix of sun, wind, fog, rain and occasional snowfall. The light is often soft and beautiful. But don’t be fooled! Warm, layered, and waterproof clothing is essential — think winter jacket, thermal base layers, gloves, and good sturdy boots.
We’ll travel in a small group of up to 10 participants, ensuring a friendly, intimate atmosphere and plenty of individual attention during photography sessions.
The expedition is designed for people with average fitness and a sense of adventure. You should be able to step in and out of Zodiac boats, walk on uneven terrain, and handle short hikes (sometimes on rocky or icy ground). No previous sailing or polar experience is required — just good balance, appropriate clothing, and enthusiasm!
You don’t need the most advanced gear — but we do recommend bringing a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a mix of wide-angle lens (fx. 16-35mm), and a telephoto lens (for distant subjects or wildlife 100-400mm or even 600mm). A sturdy tripod is essential for low light and aurora shots, as well as spare batteries and memory cards (cold weather drains them quickly). Filters (polarized, ND), cleaning tools, and waterproof camera protection are also useful. If you manage to bring a laptop with you for editing sessions, that would be great! But we will manage without it as well :)
Yes, you can bring a drone, and Greenland is a breathtaking place to fly - but you must follow local drone regulations - safety and respect for wildlife come first!
If you intend on bringing a drone, it is important, that you are already well practiced with flying and can fully control your drone. We’ll be flying close to the magnetic North Pole, your drone’s GPS and compass systems may occasionally experience magnetic interference - it’s important to fly manually and carefully monitor stability before each takeoff. Due to the nature of the workshop, we will take off & land from a moving boat frequently. It is therefore advised to practice takeoff/landing from your hand, controlling & fully navigating your drone, as “Return to Home“ might not be an option. Also, weather conditions can change rapidly, and strong winds are common - we will not be responsible if you will loose your drone in the sea.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but East Greenland offers wonderful possibilities. You may spot seals resting on ice floes, arctic hares, musk oxen, or various seabirds. With luck, we might glimpse whales or even the elusive polar bear from a safe distance. Every encounter will be unique and deeply memorable.
Absolutely! While photography is at the heart of this trip, we’ll also enjoy shore landings, gentle hikes, and Zodiac rides among icebergs. Onboard, you’ll have time to relax, read a book, and take part in editing sessions, photography discussions, and presentations led by us. Maybe we can even go fishing or do the cold plunge in the Atlantic Ocean. There will also be moments simply to be — to watch, breathe, and absorb the Arctic calm.