It is not lost on many that the Arctic is not one destination, but many, making it harder to define and summarise than Antarctica, which it is often compared to as a destination choice for adventure travel and expedition cruises. 

Stretching from Greenland’s iceberg-choked fjords to Canada’s remote archipelagos, from the historically significant Northwest Passage to the wildlife-rich islands of Svalbard, each corner of the Arctic offers a different experience, and each has its own “best” time to visit. This is usually well presented by itinerary timings offered by expedition cruise operators, which may begin, seasonally, in Svalbard and end in Arctic Canada.

Just like Antarctica, timing matters because the Arctic’s summer window is short, running from May to September. In just five months, the region transforms: ice melts, fjords open, seabirds arrive, whales return to feed, and, by September, the first hints of aurora borealis(Northern Lights ripple across the skies. Which month you go will decide not just what you see, but the type of trip you’ll have.

• For wildlife lovers, Svalbard in early summer (May–June) is unmatched for polar bears on the pack ice and seabird colonies in full swing. Later in July and August, the Canadian Arctic and West Greenland deliver thrilling whale encounters and walrus haul-outs.
• For culture and communities: West Greenland’s short summer (June–August) opens up colourful towns like Ilulissat, where daily life plays out against a backdrop of towering icebergs. It’s also when voyages can reliably connect with Inuit communities in Canada’s High Arctic.
• For explorers at heart, the Northwest Passage remains one of the most iconic journeys in travel. But it’s only navigable in late summer (August–September), when ice relents just enough for ships to trace the routes once sought by Franklin and Amundsen.
• For dramatic scenery: East Greenland, accessible only from August, offers one of the most spectacular Arctic settings on Earth: vast fjords, jagged peaks, and glaciers tumbling into iceberg-filled waters. By September, the bonus of northern lights makes it even more compelling.

In other words, the Arctic is not a one-size-fits-all destination. Deciding when to go is less about finding a single “best” month and more about aligning your interests, whether they be wildlife, culture, history, landscapes, adventure, or all of the above.  

• May–June: Early season brings pristine pack ice, excellent polar bear encounters, and the chance to see the midnight sun from the start of the season. Bird cliffs come alive with breeding colonies.
• July–August: Peak summer means the ice has retreated, allowing deeper exploration around the archipelago, including potential circumnavigation. Walrus haul-outs are common, and the tundra is in bloom.

September: Days shorten and the light turns golden, with the first possibility of seeing the northern lights. Wildlife remains active, though conditions are cooler and more unpredictable.

• West Greenland (June–August): This is the heart of the season for exploring Ilulissat Icefjord, Disko Bay, and colourful coastal towns. By June, the ice has broken up enough for navigation, and towering icebergs drift dramatically along the coast. July and August bring relatively warmer weather, wildflowers in bloom, and chances to see whales feeding in nutrient-rich waters.
• East Greenland (August–September): The east coast remains locked in sea ice until later in the summer. Expeditions here peak in August and September, when fjords are navigable. This is the time for dramatic landscapes — vast glaciers, jagged peaks, and the aurora beginning to return in September.

For Wildlife: May–June in Svalbard for polar bears and birdlife; July–August in Greenland and the Canadian Arctic for whales.

For Epic Landscapes: August–September in East Greenland for dramatic fjords and the return of the aurora.

For History & Exploration: August–September for the Northwest Passage, when sea ice allows navigation.

For Midnight Sun: Late May through July across the Arctic, with 24-hour daylight at its peak.

The “best” month to visit the Arctic depends on your priorities. Go earlier (May–June) for raw ice and wildlife, mid-season (July–August) for the widest choice of destinations, and late (September) for auroras and the legendary Northwest Passage. Wherever you go, the Arctic’s brief summer ensures each month offers its own extraordinary rewards.