Diving into the water in Tasiilaq in southeastern Greenland. (Kristinn Einarsson/Visit Greenland)

With its Arctic climate and towering icebergs, Greenland may not be known as a swimming destination, but its chilly reputation doesn't deter locals and tourists alike from taking a plunge into the island's crystal-clear waters, according to the national tourist board Visit Greenland.

“Of course, it is colder here, but the water can easily get to 5-10 degrees in bays and lakes, which means that the water in Greenland is warm enough to go bathing at the moment,” saidMalik Milfeldt from Visit Greenland.

One of the perks of swimming in Greenland's Arctic waters? Getting up close and personal with the small icebergs that rise up along the shoreline, while enjoying the scenic views of famed mountains and fjords.

"A lot of tourists set themselves the challenge of swimming out to small icebergs that are near the shoreline," said Milfeldt. "You can certainly get some memorable pictures to take home with you, and you’re bound to get your circulation going after swimming there and back."

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Greenland's southern shore, commonly called the "banana coast" due to its accessibility and green landscape in the summer, and the southern towns of Narsaq and Qaqortoq, which lie on the same latitude as the Shetland Islands, are home to many sandy beaches, ideal for bathing. Tourists are known to take a dip in the crystal-clear water here wearing nothing but their swimming trunks or bathing suits. Greenlanders tend to prefer wetsuits to beat the cold, according to Milfeldt.

For those a little more averse to the cold, the tourist board suggests that tourists check out the uninhabited island of Uunartoq in southern Greenland, close to the settlement of Alluuitsup Paa.

Surrounded by mountain peaks and drifting icebergs, Uunartoqis home to hot springs, warm enough to bathe in. With three naturally heated springs running together into a stone pool, visitors to this natural phenomenon can float in waters as warm as 38 degrees centigrade.

Further north lies the town of Ilulissat(meaning "iceberg"), Greenland’s most popular tourist destination and home to the Sermeq Kujalleqglacier and Ilulissaticefjord, bothlisted as World Heritage Sites. Here, touristsare often spotted taking boat trips throughout the summer months and swimming out among the ice floes.

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"Of course, the crew has to be in on this, because you do not want to be in icy water much longer than it takes to drink schnapps, which might be just what you need to warm up again afterwards,” said Milfeldt.

There are no lifeguards in the beaches or coastlines of Greenland, the biggest non-continental island -- and one of the most sparsely populated. So bathers and swimmers are encouraged to take necessary precautions.

For more information on trips and cruises to Greenland, visit Greenland.com.

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