Medny Island
Island Remote volcanic island in Bering Sea, Commander Islands
Part of the Commander Islands off Kamchatka in the Bering Sea, Medny Island attracts wildlife-focused trips for seabird colonies, seals and Steller sea lions; access is by expedition vessel and scientific visits.
Medny Island (Copper Island) is one of the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea off the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.
The Commander Islands were explored and colonised by Russian fur hunters during the 18th century and retained small, mixed Russian-Aleut communities through the 19th and 20th centuries. Medny Island has seen depopulation in the late 20th century and is now managed for conservation.
Medny Island lies in the western Bering Sea as part of Kamchatka Krai, Russia, forming the western sector of the Commander Islands archipelago east of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
- Conservation status: part of the Commander Islands group and included in the Komandorsky Nature Reserve for protection of seabird and marine mammal colonies
How to Get to Medny Island #
Access is via specialised sea or research vessels from Kamchatka; no regular passenger services. Expeditions are usually arranged through scientific institutions or experienced charter companies.
Tips for Visiting Medny Island #
- Remote and weather-dependent; arrange transport and local permissions well ahead.
- Bring robust cold-weather gear and survival equipment - Medny Island sits in a harsh subarctic climate.
- Observe wildlife from a distance - seals and seabirds can be sensitive to human presence.
Best Time to Visit Medny Island #
Visit seasonally during the short summer window; access is controlled and often limited to researchers or organised expeditions.
Weather & Climate near Medny Island #
Medny Island's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 12°C. Abundant rainfall (1152 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (127 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
