Oqaatsut, or, formerly, Rodebay, received its first name from the Dutch whale hunters, who settled here in the 18th century – the name means ′′the bloody bay′′. If you go along the Oqaatsut coasts on a motorboat you′ll get the idea: one could easily distinguish remnants of whales at the bottom.
Nestled between towering mountains and serene waters, this small fishing village offers a glimpse into Greenland's past, with colorful wooden houses and a picturesque harbor that has been in use for centuries.
As you stroll along the village's narrow streets, you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time, with no cars or modern buildings in sight. Instead, you'll hear the sound of sea birds, the creaking of wooden boats, and the friendly greetings of locals going about their daily lives.
Take a boat tour to nearby ice fjords, where massive glaciers tower over the water, and listen to the thunderous cracks and pops as chunks of ice break off and plunge into the sea. Or, hike through the surrounding mountains to witness stunning vistas and maybe even catch a glimpse of Arctic wildlife, such as reindeer or arctic foxes.
As the day comes to an end, you can relax at a cozy local café or restaurant, savoring traditional Greenlandic cuisine and sharing stories with friendly locals. And who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing in the sky!
Tourists are attracted to the oldest whale-catcher tavern H8, where you can try local cuisine. Ilulissat is two hours away from here, and the whole route will be studded with icebergs.
Long ago, in the Inuit village of Oqaatsut, there lived a young woman named Nuliajuk. Nuliajuk was known throughout the village for her exceptional beauty and grace, and many young men vied for her hand in marriage.
One day, a young hunter named Aviaaja set his sights on Nuliajuk and knew that he must have her as his wife. He set out to impress her by hunting seals, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not seem to catch any. Frustrated and dejected, Aviaaja turned to the spirits for help.
One night, as he slept, he had a dream in which a beautiful woman appeared to him. She introduced herself as Sedna, the goddess of the sea, and promised to help him catch enough seals to win Nuliajuk's hand in marriage.
The next day, Aviaaja set out to sea, and to his amazement, the seals practically jumped into his boat. He caught more than enough to impress Nuliajuk and her family, and they were soon married in a grand ceremony.
However, Aviaaja soon realized that he had made a terrible mistake. Nuliajuk was not the kind and loving wife he had thought she would be. In fact, she was cold and distant, and seemed to take pleasure in his suffering.
One day, Aviaaja decided that he could not take it anymore, and set out to sea to escape his unhappy marriage. However, he soon found that the sea was not his friend. A great storm blew up, and his boat was tossed about on the waves like a leaf.
As he clung to the mast for dear life, Aviaaja remembered the goddess Sedna, and called out to her for help. To his surprise, Sedna appeared before him, and he begged her to save him from the storm.
Sedna agreed to help him, but only on one condition: that he return to Nuliajuk and try to make their marriage work. Aviaaja reluctantly agreed, and Sedna calmed the storm and guided his boat safely back to shore.
When Aviaaja returned home, he was surprised to find that Nuliajuk had changed. She was kind and loving, and seemed genuinely sorry for the way she had treated him. Together, they worked to build a happy and fulfilling life, and Aviaaja knew that he had Sedna to thank for his good fortune.
And so it was that the people of Oqaatsut came to honor Sedna as the goddess of the sea and the protector of all those who venture out onto the icy waters. They built a great shrine in her honor, and to this day, the people of Oqaatsut continue to offer up prayers and offerings to Sedna, in the hopes that she will watch over them and keep them safe.