Cook Island, South Sandwich Islands

Island Volcanic subantarctic island in South Sandwich chain

An uninhabited volcanic island in the South Atlantic within the South Sandwich chain, Cook Island is visited only by scientific teams and expedition vessels for wildlife, seabirds and remote geology.

Main image

Cook Island is a small, uninhabited island in the South Sandwich Islands, a remote subantarctic chain administered as part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The island sits at approximately 59.45°S, 27.17°W and is volcanic in origin.

The island offers steep volcanic cliffs and coastal rock important for seabirds and marine mammals rather than facilities for visitors. There are no permanent structures or services; any landing is typically for scientific or tightly controlled expedition visits.

The South Sandwich Islands were charted and named during early exploration of the southern oceans; Cook Island is one of many small islands in this isolated archipelago and has seen little permanent human modification. It remains primarily of interest for geology and wildlife observations.

Geographically it lies in the southern Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, well south of the Falkland Islands and southeast of South Georgia. The nearest permanently inhabited administrative centers are many hundreds of kilometres away and access is by sea only.

  • Access: Located in a remote, subantarctic group with no permanent population; access is by expedition vessel only and visits are weather dependent.
  • Jurisdiction: Part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, administered from King Edward Point on South Georgia.
Cook Island, South Sandwich Islands
-59.4500, -27.1667

How to Get to Cook Island, South Sandwich Islands #

The South Sandwich Islands are reachable only by long expedition cruises from the Falkland Islands or via chartered research vessels; landings are rare and require permits from the administering authority (United Kingdom). Travel is seasonal and highly weather-dependent.

Tips for Visiting Cook Island, South Sandwich Islands #

  • There are no permanent facilities-Cook Island is uninhabited and weather conditions are harsh.
  • Travel only as part of a governmental or scientific expedition with appropriate permits from the governing authorities.
  • Expect strong winds and rapidly changing sea conditions-landings are rarely guaranteed.

Best Time to Visit Cook Island, South Sandwich Islands #

Short Southern Hemisphere summer is the most likely time for any expeditionary visit.

Southern Hemisphere summer
Dec-Feb · 0-5°C (32-41°F)
The only practical window for expedition visits; still cold and windy.
Shoulder months
Nov, Mar · -2-6°C (28-43°F)
Sea-ice and weather are unpredictable-access depends on ice conditions.

Weather & Climate near Cook Island, South Sandwich Islands #

Climate

Polar climate with cold summers (peaking in February) and freezing winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from -9°C to 4°C. Abundant rainfall (1340 mm/year), wettest in January.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
Warmest Month
-9°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (150 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

150 mm
Rainfall
8.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy

February

February is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
9.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy

March

March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
9.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy

April

April is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and windy conditions.

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-2°

Weather

108 mm
Rainfall
10.0 m/s
Wind
Windy

May

May is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5° -1°

Weather

121 mm
Rainfall
9.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy

June

June is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-7° -2°

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
9.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy

July

July is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -3°

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
9.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy

August

August is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and windy conditions.

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -3°

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
10.1 m/s
Wind
Windy

September

September is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and windy conditions.

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-6° -1°

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
10.1 m/s
Wind
Windy

October

October is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and windy conditions.

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-3°

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
10.1 m/s
Wind
Windy

November

November is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
9.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy

December

December is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and breezy conditions.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature

Weather

121 mm
Rainfall
8.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy

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