Best time to cruise · No regular sailings
Antarctica cruises in September
September marks the start of the austral spring. Elephant seals haul out to give birth on South Georgia’s beaches, and penguins prepare to return to their colonies. No tourist voyages sail yet, but expedition ships begin their long repositioning south from the Arctic and Europe toward Ushuaia.
- No regular sailings
- Avg high 52°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Antarctica in September: No regular sailings
September marks the start of the austral spring. Elephant seals haul out to give birth on South Georgia’s beaches, and penguins prepare to return to their colonies. No tourist voyages sail yet, but expedition ships begin their long repositioning south from the Arctic and Europe toward Ushuaia.
Across Antarctica cruise ports, September brings average highs around 52°F (11°C) and lows near 42°F, with about 1.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 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
- 52°F / 42°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.3 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 12 nights from Ushuaia; 18 to 23 nights with the Falklands and South Georgia
How September 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 September
| 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 |
September weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ushuaia | 43°F | 34°F | 1.6 in | 12 h |
| Stanley (Falkland Islands) | 43°F | 37°F | 1.4 in | 12 h |
| Punta Arenas | 45°F | 37°F | 1.1 in | 12 h |
| Buenos Aires | 64°F | 54°F | 2.6 in | 12 h |
| Santiago (San Antonio & Valparaíso) | 57°F | 52°F | 0.5 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Madryn | 60°F | 42°F | 0.8 in | 12 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 September
- Hawaii in September
- Canada & New England in September
- Pacific Coastal in September
- Mediterranean in September
- Western Mediterranean in September
- Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic in September
- Greek Isles in September
- Western Europe in September
- Tahiti & the South Pacific in September
- Danube River in September
See every destination for September, with a port weather map →
Antarctica in September: FAQs
Is September a good time to cruise Antarctica?
Generally not: there are few or no regular sailings. September marks the start of the austral spring. Elephant seals haul out to give birth on South Georgia’s beaches, and penguins prepare to return to their colonies. No tourist voyages sail yet, but expedition ships begin their long repositioning south from the Arctic and Europe toward Ushuaia.
What is the weather like on a Antarctica cruise in September?
Across Antarctica cruise ports, September brings average highs around 52°F (11°C) and lows near 42°F, with about 1.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 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 September?
September is also a top month for Hawaii, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.