Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Antarctica cruises in March
March is whale season, with humpbacks feeding in bays such as Wilhelmina Bay, and the first real sunsets and sunrises paint icebergs pink and orange. Penguin colonies empty as adults finish molting and head to sea. Storms become more frequent, the final voyages depart by late March, and fares are often the lowest of the season.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 63°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Antarctica in March: Good time to go
March is whale season, with humpbacks feeding in bays such as Wilhelmina Bay, and the first real sunsets and sunrises paint icebergs pink and orange. Penguin colonies empty as adults finish molting and head to sea. Storms become more frequent, the final voyages depart by late March, and fares are often the lowest of the season.
Across Antarctica cruise ports, March brings average highs around 63°F (17°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 2.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Late October or November to March; penguin chicks December to February, whales peak February to March.
- Average high / low
- 63°F / 52°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.2 in
- Daylight
- About 13 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 March 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 March
| 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 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ushuaia | 52°F | 40°F | 2.8 in | 13 h |
| Stanley (Falkland Islands) | 53°F | 45°F | 2.0 in | 13 h |
| Punta Arenas | 53°F | 44°F | 2.0 in | 13 h |
| Buenos Aires | 78°F | 68°F | 3.8 in | 12 h |
| Santiago (San Antonio & Valparaíso) | 66°F | 59°F | 0.1 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Madryn | 75°F | 56°F | 2.2 in | 13 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 March
Antarctica in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Antarctica?
Yes, it's a good month. March is whale season, with humpbacks feeding in bays such as Wilhelmina Bay, and the first real sunsets and sunrises paint icebergs pink and orange. Penguin colonies empty as adults finish molting and head to sea. Storms become more frequent, the final voyages depart by late March, and fares are often the lowest of the season.
What is the weather like on a Antarctica cruise in March?
Across Antarctica cruise ports, March brings average highs around 63°F (17°C) and lows near 52°F, with about 2.2 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Antarctica cruise in March?
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 March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.