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W. Bulach CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Riesco Island

Island

Riesco Island in southern Chile occupies part of Magallanes with fjorded coasts, glaciated ridges and sparse settlement; expedition cruises and specialized treks visit for Patagonian landscapes and wildlife.

Riesco Island SantiagoSan Pedro de AtacamaTorres del Paine National ParkValparaísoPucónPuerto VarasRiesco Island
In this guide

Riesco Island essentials

Address: Riesco Island, Magallanes Region, Chile
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About Riesco Island

Riesco Island is a large island in Chile’s Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, located in southern Patagonia and characterized by rugged terrain and coastal fjords. It is part of the complex archipelago of islands that fringe southern Chile and is separated from the mainland by channels and sounds.

The island’s coastline is dissected by fjords and inlets and the interior includes mountainous and glaciated areas typical of the Magallanes region. Human settlement is sparse and access is generally by watercraft from regional ports.

Riesco Island sits west of mainland Tierra del Fuego and north of the Strait of Magellan in the southern Chilean archipelago system, within the administrative Region of Magallanes. Nearest larger centers are in the regional mainland and maritime transport links are seasonal and weather dependent.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Riesco Island

The austral summer (December-February) is the best time for access and outdoor activity on Riesco Island, when conditions are least severe.

Austrail summer (best access)
December-February · ~4-12°C
Cool but the mildest and most accessible time of year with longer daylight and fewer storms than winter.
Shoulder seasons
October-November and March-April · ~0-10°C
Changeable weather and more variable sea conditions; still possible to visit but expect rapid shifts and wind.
Winter (stormy, limited access)
May-September · often near or below 0°C
Cold, windy and often stormy with limited maritime access; not recommended for casual visits.

Weather & Climate near Riesco Island

Climate

Riesco Island's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from -2°C to 13°C. Abundant rainfall (1448 mm/year), wettest in March, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 72 Moderate
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
13°
Warmest Month
-2°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 5° - 13° 5° 131 mm - - 9.0 m/s - -
February - 4° - 12° 4° 132 mm - - 8.7 m/s - -
March - 3° - 11° 3° 140 mm - - 8.7 m/s - -
April - 1° - 9° 0° 134 mm - - 8.3 m/s - -
May - -1° - 6° -3° 111 mm - - 7.5 m/s - -
June - -2° - 4° -5° 114 mm - - 7.5 m/s - -
July - -2° - 4° -5° 120 mm - - 7.3 m/s - -
August - -2° - 4° -5° 103 mm - - 7.6 m/s - -
September - 0° - 7° -2° 108 mm - - 7.9 m/s - -
October - 1° - 9° 0° 109 mm - - 8.8 m/s - -
November - 2° - 11° 2° 114 mm - - 9.2 m/s - -
December - 4° - 12° 4° 132 mm - - 9.2 m/s - -