Discover Rodebay: Landscape and Local History

Rodebay, also known as Oqaatsut, is located on a peninsula and offers views of icebergs in Disko Bay. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip to Rodebay, you might first consider which aspect of the place you want to shape your stay: the landscape, the settlement’s history or activities that offer insight into local life.

Icebergs and Hiking

The peninsula’s location and views of the icebergs in Disko Bay define Rodebay’s landscape. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can hike in the hills around Oqaatsut. In summer, you can also hike along a coastal trail between Ilulissat and Oqaatsut. The two options differ in where they take you: the hills are around the settlement, while the coastal trail connects the two places. When planning your trip, you can choose between a hike in the area around the settlement and a summer route along the coast.

Getting There and Getting Around

Travel to and from Oqaatsut is by boat, dog sled or snowmobile, mainly in the direction of Ilulissat. The settlement has no connected road network, but rather separate, unconnected stretches of roads and paths. When planning, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between connections to other places and routes within the settlement: the modes of transport listed describe travel between places, while the stretches of roads and paths do not form a continuous road network. Before your trip, check which connection is planned for your stay.

History of the Settlement

Oqaatsut has been inhabited since the 18th century as an Inuit settlement and whaling station. In 1877, it became a trading station. This chronology gives the settlement’s history several facets: it encompasses both life as an Inuit settlement and whaling station, as well as its later trading history. A protected building reflects this trading history: the building that houses the H8 Explorer restaurant was built in the 1890s for the Royal Greenland Trading Department.

Local Cuisine and Life in the Settlement

The H8 Explorer restaurant prepares fresh fish and fresh meat from the surrounding wilderness and selected regions of Greenland. The origin of the ingredients on the menu may vary over time. During visits to Oqaatsut, tourists can also try local Greenlandic specialties and experience life involving fishing, seal hunting and whaling. These experiences offer a different focus from hiking: they turn attention to the cuisine and life in the settlement.

Kayaking as a Full-Day Activity

The guided full-day activity “Oqaatsut & Kayak Adventure” includes a kayaking trip in the bay northeast of the settlement. It is offered as a bookable excursion; availability may vary. The full-day format differs from the hikes mentioned above and offers a specific option for planning your day. If you are considering the kayaking excursion, check availability for your travel dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ilulissat

Go to the main travel overview: Qaasuitsup.