Big Diomede IslandBig Diomede Island at a Glance
About Big Diomede Island
Big Diomede (Russian name Ratmanov Island) is a small island in the Bering Strait belonging to Russia’s Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The island sits very close to the United States’ Little Diomede island and serves as a geographic marker between the two countries.
The island is largely uninhabited and has been used primarily for military and border control purposes in the 20th and 21st centuries. Civilian access is restricted and there is no regular civilian population.
Big Diomede lies in the central Bering Strait, approximately a few kilometres from Little Diomede island (Alaska), with the International Date Line separating the two islands so they are on different calendar days.
- Proximity to Little Diomede: Big Diomede lies roughly 4 kilometres from Little Diomede (United States) across the Bering Strait, with the International Date Line passing between them.
Nearby Attractions to Big Diomede Island
Best Time to Visit Big Diomede Island
If visiting the remote Diomede area, plan for the brief summer months when access and conditions are least severe.
Weather & Climate near Big Diomede Island
Big Diomede Island's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -22°C to 7°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -21° - -15° | -29° | 25 mm | partly cloudy | 95% | 7.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 4.4h |
| February | Poor | -20° - -16° | -29° | 21 mm | partly cloudy | 95% | 7.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| March | Poor | -23° - -17° | -31° | 20 mm | partly cloudy | 95% | 6.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | -14° - -12° | -22° | 20 mm | overcast | 94% | 6.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 15.0h |
| May | Poor | -6° - -3° | -10° | 17 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 18.6h |
| June | Acceptable | -1° - 3° | -4° | 20 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 21.3h |
| July | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 34 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 19.8h |
| August | Poor | 4° - 7° | 1° | 61 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 16.3h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 4° | -2° | 48 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | -4° - -1° | -10° | 40 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 9.3h |
| November | Poor | -9° - -6° | -16° | 36 mm | overcast | 84% | 8.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.7h |
| December | Poor | -14° - -11° | -22° | 25 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 2.8h |
How to Get to Big Diomede Island
Big Diomede (Ratmanov Island) lies in the Bering Strait and is Russian territory with restricted access. There are no regular tourist services; travel requires special permission from Russian authorities and is normally carried out by military or government-chartered transport. There is no public ferry or scheduled civilian air service to the island.
Tips for Visiting Big Diomede Island
- Do not plan independent travel to Big Diomede: the island is under Russian administration and access is restricted, typically requiring formal government permission or an organized, sanctioned expedition.
- Arrange any visit through an approved Arctic/Chukotka operator who can secure the necessary permits and coordinate with local authorities; there are effectively no tourist services on the island.
- Expect strict border and security controls because of the island's strategic location in the Bering Strait; civilian access is rare and tightly regulated.