Arctic Boat Charter: Authentic experiences of Greenland

There are few places on earth where you can visit the real wilderness and see first-hand nature as raw and beautiful and a history as rich as in Greenland. With the right guide, you can experience the real people, the life and the culture of this majestic country, whilst respecting the natural balance and order of the surroundings.

Erik Palo Jacobsen is the owner of Arctic Boat Charter (ABC), a small one-man and one-boat company in Nuuk in northwestern Greenland. He is captain of M/S Sterna, tour guide, and a natural raconteur, who grew up near the Arctic Circle in Sisimiut, with wilderness all around. Erik Palo has sailed across many seas and is a hugely experienced and trusted captain. “Growing up in the Arctic landscapes with at times extreme weather conditions, you get to know its nature and the pitfalls, as well its beauty,” he says.

Meaningful tourism

Erik Palo cares deeply about his country and its people and recognises the opportunities to develop tourism in Greenland, and the many positive effects this has on the country’s economy. “We want and need tourists, but must remember other values besides the financial gain, like the joy of sharing our culture and beautiful nature.” He runs a business that respects nature and culture, the well-being of his guests and himself, and firmly believes a thriving tourist trade is possible without compromising the things that truly matter.

The threat of mass tourism is evident in Greenland, with cruise ships polluting the fjords and disturbing the natural balance of things. The past five years have seen a steep increase in visiting cruise ships, so much so that a long-awaited tourism law is finally coming into place, to protect the environment, the people and their culture.

Tailormade adventures

ABC is a one-of-a-kind company; Rarely is your first point of contact, captain, guide and host the same person. Every trip is tailormade and Erik Palo engages in a dialogue with his guests from the minute they first approach him. “I consider what kind of people they are and try to gauge what they might like me to arrange for them,” he says.

Besides captain Erik Palo, onboard M/S Sterna you will find his seafaring colleague and friend Nujalina, “a wonderful human being!” Together, they look after every aspect of guests’ well-being and enjoyment, from sustenance to distraction if a spot of seasickness should occur.

Erik Palo tells many stories of the places they go and the things they see. But other times they can spend long stretches in silence simply enjoying the air, the sea, and the surroundings. “Silence is important to us in Greenland, we don’t find it uncomfortable,” he explains. Erik and Nujalina are both down to earth and treat everyone with equal care, attention and respect. “We allow people to be people, to just be themselves’ he adds. They have hosted schoolchildren, families of several generations, presidents, rock stars and royalty, but no one is treated any differently.

“Inuits are open and welcoming to guests, it’s deeply rooted in our culture and psyche, and we mustn’t ruin this important aspect,” says Erik Palo. He considers clients as guests, not tourists, and values the relationship between guest and host. “Guests let us invite them into our homes and hearts.”

ACE! Authentic Cruise Experiences

Erik Palo arranges a wide variety of excursions. “You name it, everything is possible,” he says. From high-adrenaline paragliding (a personal hobby of his) to waterfall kayaking, from gentler fishing trips to hiking. If he cannot arrange it himself, he knows someone who can.

For instance, Erik Palo regularly takes researchers and scientists on field trips. His small and fast boat is from time to time called to the rescue by the police or ambulance services, and he works closely with a handful of day institutions for troubled youths, arranging transformative trips at sea, making them feel like they are a part of something, including them in the day-to-day life on board.

Educating the next generation is something he takes seriously and embraces as part of the role as captain and tour guide. “We need to show our youngsters the natural world and the joy of nature, help them feel connected so they develop their own sense of responsibility,” he says.

“I may not be rich in monetary terms, but I am rich in so many other ways and I get to share my joy with my guests,” Erik Palo reflects. His enthusiasm and joyfulness is infectious and paired with his vast experience and knowledge, he makes for a wonderful host and guide, sharing his love of sailing, his beautiful country and culture with all his guests.

Facebook: Arctic Boat Charter, ABC
Instagram: @arcticboatcharter
Contact: abc@abc.gl