Best time to cruise · No regular sailings
Antarctica cruises in August
Light slowly returns in August, but sea ice is near its maximum and the continent is still locked in winter. Emperor chicks hatch on the ice far to the south. Expedition lines finalize their teams and itineraries, and popular December and January departures, along with solo cabins, are often sold out by now.
- No regular sailings
- Avg high 49°F
- 10 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Antarctica in August: No regular sailings
Light slowly returns in August, but sea ice is near its maximum and the continent is still locked in winter. Emperor chicks hatch on the ice far to the south. Expedition lines finalize their teams and itineraries, and popular December and January departures, along with solo cabins, are often sold out by now.
Across Antarctica cruise ports, August brings average highs around 49°F (9°C) and lows near 41°F, with about 1.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- No regular sailings
- Season
- Late October or November to March; penguin chicks December to February, whales peak February to March.
- Average high / low
- 49°F / 41°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.7 in
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 12 nights from Ushuaia; 18 to 23 nights with the Falklands and South Georgia
How August compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Good time to go
- Apr: No regular sailings
- May: No regular sailings
- Jun: No regular sailings
- Jul: No regular sailings
- Aug: No regular sailings
- Sep: No regular sailings
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Antarctica weather in August
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6619 | 6619 | 6317 | 5814 | 5211 | 489 | 478 | 499 | 5211 | 5613 | 6116 | 6418 |
| Low °F (°C) | 5412 | 5412 | 5211 | 489 | 457 | 415 | 394 | 415 | 426 | 457 | 4910 | 5211 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.845 | 1.846 | 2.255 | 2.153 | 2.051 | 1.845 | 1.742 | 1.744 | 1.333 | 1.435 | 1.847 | 1.742 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
August weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ushuaia | 39°F | 31°F | 1.9 in | 10 h |
| Stanley (Falkland Islands) | 41°F | 36°F | 1.8 in | 10 h |
| Punta Arenas | 42°F | 35°F | 1.7 in | 10 h |
| Buenos Aires | 60°F | 50°F | 3.1 in | 11 h |
| Santiago (San Antonio & Valparaíso) | 57°F | 51°F | 1.5 in | 11 h |
| Puerto Madryn | 56°F | 40°F | 0.6 in | 10 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in August
Antarctica in August: FAQs
Is August a good time to cruise Antarctica?
Generally not: there are few or no regular sailings. Light slowly returns in August, but sea ice is near its maximum and the continent is still locked in winter. Emperor chicks hatch on the ice far to the south. Expedition lines finalize their teams and itineraries, and popular December and January departures, along with solo cabins, are often sold out by now.
What is the weather like on a Antarctica cruise in August?
Across Antarctica cruise ports, August brings average highs around 49°F (9°C) and lows near 41°F, with about 1.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
When is the best time to cruise Antarctica?
Late October or November to March; penguin chicks December to February, whales peak February to March.. The best months are usually January, February, December.
Where else can I cruise in August?
August is also a top month for Alaska, Canada & New England, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Sea.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.