Best time to sail South America

[STM]

We've decided on the Rotterdam 16 day SA Explorer for next winter (2008). Which would be the best month to sail from Rio to Santiago - Jan. thru March? We're aware that we can expect rough seas and rain.

[dileep]

We've decided on the Rotterdam 16 day SA Explorer for next winter (2008). Which would be the best month to sail from Rio to Santiago - Jan. thru March? We're aware that we can expect rough seas and rain.

 

Jan and Feb are peak times for penguin viewing. We sailed from 22 Jan to Feb 5 in 2006 and enjoyed the cruise.

[Marie-Claude]

We took the February 12 2007 BA to Santiago, and most penguins had already left Punta Arenas Seno Otway...

But the weather was relatively good, and seas were calm with a few exception. If I had to do it again, I would probably pick last of January first of February.

 

MC

[traveller333]

You should have nice weather anytime January - March. Remember, you're in the Southern Hemisphere and close to the equator so Rio will likely be hot and humid.

[Aussie Gal]

We sailed from Rio on the 8th January, 2006 and we had good weather until we reached the Falklands which we had to miss due to very rough conditions. We then went through a Force 11 gale for 24 hours but once we reached the Antarctica peninsula we had wonderful sunny days with little wind.

 

We also had good weather around Cape Horn and when we were in Ushuaia. It continued right up until we disembarked in Valpariso.

 

It is summer down here in the Southern Hemisphere so Jan/Feb are usually the hottest months. March is the start of autumn so it can be a little cooler though it is usually a very settled month and the winds are not so bad.

 

Jennie