May is the off-season in Antarctica. Many liveaboards pause operations due to weather, but neighboring destinations may offer excellent alternatives.
Season rating
Low / off season
Water temperature
-2–0°C · 28–32°F
Conditions in
May
What you might see
Year-round overview for Antarctica
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good month to dive in Antarctica?
May in Antarctica is rated as low / off season. Water temperatures are around -2–0°C and conditions are usually suitable for liveaboard trips.
What can you see diving in Antarctica in May?
In May, divers in Antarctica typically encounter the marine life highlighted on this page, with seasonal aggregations depending on currents, plankton blooms and breeding cycles.
Should I book a Antarctica liveaboard for May or wait?
If you want this month's specific marine life and conditions, book early — peak departures fill up months ahead. If you are flexible, compare April and June which often share similar conditions.
Best time to dive · May
the MaldivesEgyptIndonesiathe Philippinesthe GalápagosMexicothe BahamasBelizethe Cayman IslandsCosta Rica (Cocos)ThailandFijiAlorAustraliaBalithe Banda SeaCubaDjiboutithe Dominican RepublicFrench PolynesiaHondurasKomodoMadagascarMicronesiaPapua New GuineaPortugal (Azores)Raja AmpatSaudi Arabia (Red Sea)the Seychellesthe Solomon IslandsSt. Maarten / SabaTurkeyTurks & Caicos