Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Antarctica cruises in January
January is high summer on the Peninsula, with temperatures hovering in the low to mid-30s °F, daylight lasting close to 20 hours and the most stable weather of the season. Gentoo and chinstrap chicks hatch, and colonies become loud, smelly and endlessly entertaining. Retreating sea ice makes Antarctic Circle crossings more feasible. Cabins for these weeks are the hardest to get and the most expensive of the season.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 66°F
- 15 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Antarctica in January: Best time to go
January is high summer on the Peninsula, with temperatures hovering in the low to mid-30s °F, daylight lasting close to 20 hours and the most stable weather of the season. Gentoo and chinstrap chicks hatch, and colonies become loud, smelly and endlessly entertaining. Retreating sea ice makes Antarctic Circle crossings more feasible. Cabins for these weeks are the hardest to get and the most expensive of the season.
Across Antarctica cruise ports, January brings average highs around 66°F (19°C) and lows near 54°F, with about 1.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 15 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
- 66°F / 54°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.8 in
- Daylight
- About 15 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 12 nights from Ushuaia; 18 to 23 nights with the Falklands and South Georgia
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How January 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 January
| 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 |
January weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ushuaia | 54°F | 42°F | 2.6 in | 17 h |
| Stanley (Falkland Islands) | 56°F | 47°F | 1.9 in | 16 h |
| Punta Arenas | 55°F | 46°F | 1.8 in | 16 h |
| Buenos Aires | 83°F | 72°F | 3.4 in | 14 h |
| Santiago (San Antonio & Valparaíso) | 66°F | 60°F | 0.1 in | 14 h |
| Puerto Madryn | 81°F | 60°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 January
- Caribbean in January
- Eastern Caribbean in January
- Western Caribbean in January
- Southern Caribbean in January
- Hawaii in January
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in January
- Panama Canal & Central America in January
- South America in January
- Galápagos Islands in January
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in January
See every destination for January, with a port weather map →
Antarctica in January: FAQs
Is January a good time to cruise Antarctica?
Yes, it's one of the best months. January is high summer on the Peninsula, with temperatures hovering in the low to mid-30s °F, daylight lasting close to 20 hours and the most stable weather of the season. Gentoo and chinstrap chicks hatch, and colonies become loud, smelly and endlessly entertaining. Retreating sea ice makes Antarctic Circle crossings more feasible. Cabins for these weeks are the hardest to get and the most expensive of the season.
What is the weather like on a Antarctica cruise in January?
Across Antarctica cruise ports, January brings average highs around 66°F (19°C) and lows near 54°F, with about 1.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 15 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Antarctica cruise in January?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable 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 January?
January is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Hawaii.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.