Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Antarctica cruises in December
December brings nearly 24 hours of usable light, penguins incubating eggs and the first chicks hatching around Christmas. Temperatures around freezing feel surprisingly mild on calm, sunny days, and snow still blankets the landscape. Christmas and New Year voyages are the most sought-after of the season, priced at a premium and often booked a year or more ahead.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 64°F
- 16 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Antarctica in December: Best time to go
December brings nearly 24 hours of usable light, penguins incubating eggs and the first chicks hatching around Christmas. Temperatures around freezing feel surprisingly mild on calm, sunny days, and snow still blankets the landscape. Christmas and New Year voyages are the most sought-after of the season, priced at a premium and often booked a year or more ahead.
Across Antarctica cruise ports, December brings average highs around 64°F (18°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 1.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 16 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Late October or November to March; penguin chicks December to February, whales peak February to March.
- Average high / low
- 64°F / 52°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.7 in
- Daylight
- About 16 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 12 nights from Ushuaia; 18 to 23 nights with the Falklands and South Georgia
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How December 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 December
| 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 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ushuaia | 53°F | 41°F | 2.4 in | 17 h |
| Stanley (Falkland Islands) | 54°F | 45°F | 1.6 in | 17 h |
| Punta Arenas | 54°F | 44°F | 1.7 in | 17 h |
| Buenos Aires | 80°F | 68°F | 3.4 in | 15 h |
| Santiago (San Antonio & Valparaíso) | 64°F | 57°F | 0.1 in | 14 h |
| Puerto Madryn | 78°F | 57°F | 0.7 in | 15 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 December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Southeast & East Asia in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Antarctica in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Antarctica?
Yes, it's one of the best months. December brings nearly 24 hours of usable light, penguins incubating eggs and the first chicks hatching around Christmas. Temperatures around freezing feel surprisingly mild on calm, sunny days, and snow still blankets the landscape. Christmas and New Year voyages are the most sought-after of the season, priced at a premium and often booked a year or more ahead.
What is the weather like on a Antarctica cruise in December?
Across Antarctica cruise ports, December brings average highs around 64°F (18°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 1.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 16 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Antarctica cruise in December?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
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 December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.