Maly Lyakhovsky Island
Island Arctic New Siberian island with Pleistocene fossils
A remote New Siberian Islands landmass in the Sakha Republic, visited by polar researchers and expedition tourists for Pleistocene fossils (mammoth finds), tundra landscapes, sea-ice routes and rare Arctic wildlife during short summer field seasons.
Maly Lyakhovsky Island is part of the Lyakhovsky group within the New Siberian Islands in the Laptev Sea, under the administration of the Sakha Republic. It is an uninhabited Arctic island notable for its exposed permafrost cliffs and Pleistocene deposits.
The island is best known among scientists and polar expedition teams for coastal bluffs that expose Pleistocene sediments containing bones, tusks and other remains of Ice Age megafauna such as mammoths. There are no visitor facilities and access is by specialised expedition vessel or seasonal ice travel.
Geologically the island consists of sedimentary deposits laid down during the late Pleistocene and Holocene; thawing and coastal erosion regularly expose fossil-bearing layers. It has been the subject of paleontological and geological research since exploration of the New Siberian archipelago in the 19th century.
Maly Lyakhovsky Island lies in the high Arctic within the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). It is surrounded by seasonal pack ice and sits well north of the Siberian mainland, forming part of the remote New Siberian Islands chain.
- Remoteness: Extremely remote Arctic location with no permanent settlements and seasonal sea-ice cover for much of the year.
Tips for Visiting Maly Lyakhovsky Island #
- Visit in the brief Arctic summer window (July-August) when sea ice is at its lowest and expedition vessels can safely land - outside that period the island is inaccessible to most travelers.
- Reach Maly Lyakhovsky only via organized polar expedition cruises or licensed charter vessels from Yakutia; independent landings are not feasible and operators handle required permits and protected‑area rules.
- Respect paleontological regulations and local rules: the New Siberian Islands are rich in Pleistocene fossils and scientific sites are protected - do not attempt to remove or sell any bones or artifacts, and follow guides' instructions on where you may walk.
Best Time to Visit Maly Lyakhovsky Island #
Visit only in the brief summer window (July-August) when sea ice retreats and access by boat or helicopter is possible.
Weather & Climate near Maly Lyakhovsky Island #
Maly Lyakhovsky Island's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -35°C to 6°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is freezing with highs of -27°C and lows of -34°C. The driest month with just 4 mm.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -29°C and lows of -35°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -25°C and lows of -32°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -18°C and lows of -25°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -12°C. Almost no rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -15°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -21°C and lows of -27°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -26°C and lows of -32°C. Almost no rain.
