Diego Ramirez Islands & Drake Passage National Park
National Park Remote subantarctic islands and marine-protected Drake Passage
Chile’s remote Diego Ramírez Islands and surrounding Drake Passage are protected for seabird colonies, penguins and marine life; visitors reach them on expedition cruises for high-latitude wildlife viewing and ocean crossings.
How to Get to Diego Ramirez Islands & Drake Passage National Park #
Diego Ramirez Islands are remote and reached only by specialized expedition vessels sailing from southern Chile. Travel requires careful planning with licensed polar expedition operators and coordination with Chilean authorities for permits and transport.
Tips for Visiting Diego Ramirez Islands & Drake Passage National Park #
- This park is extremely remote-expedition-level planning, permits and marine safety measures are essential.
- Sea conditions in the Drake Passage are notoriously rough; only experienced operators should attempt transit.
- Wildlife watching is seasonal; polar birds and marine mammals are most easily seen during austral summer.
Best Time to Visit Diego Ramirez Islands & Drake Passage National Park #
If logistics allow, austral summer (Dec-Mar) is the only practical visiting season.
Austral Summer
December-March · -2-5°C
Least sea ice and best window for expedition vessels; long daylight hours.
Austral Winter
June-August · -10-0°C
Extreme conditions; access is effectively impossible for most visitors.
Weather & Climate near Diego Ramirez Islands & Drake Passage National Park #
Climate
Air Quality:
AQI 15
Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
13°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
January
Weather
1.5
UV Index
Very High
16.7h daylight
February
Weather
1.1
UV Index
High
14.7h daylight
March
Weather
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight
April
Weather
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight
May
Weather
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.8h daylight
June
Weather
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.7h daylight
July
Weather
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.2h daylight
August
Weather
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight
September
Weather
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.4h daylight
October
Weather
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight
November
Weather
1.4
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight
December
Weather
1.6
UV Index
Very High
17.3h daylight
