The fjord was named after Danish statesman Andreas Peter Bernstorff.

[4] To the east the Bernstorff Fjord opens into the Irminger Sea (North Atlantic Ocean).

[5] A single island, Ensomheden, is located within the fjord about 33 kilometres (21 miles) from its mouth.

[6] The Storebjørn, Bernstorff, Fimbul and Sleipner glaciers at the head of this fjord produce massive amounts of ice.

The constant glacier activity produces a powerful current streaming out of the fjord which, together with the numerous ice floes, makes navigation hazardous in the area between its mouth and Umivik Bay.