Best Time to Visit Port-aux-Francais
French Southern Territories · weather by month, temperature and rainfall
If you want the most pleasant weather in Port-aux-Francais, plan your trip for February. February is the hottest month, with average highs of 9°C (48°F), while July is the coldest, with lows around -1°C (31°F). Rain is heaviest in April, at about 78 mm (3.1 in), and lightest in October, at 48 mm (1.9 in). August is the least comfortable month, mainly because of the cold.
When to go to Port-aux-Francais: a seasonal guide
Summer: the only real window
Port-aux-Francais isn't a holiday town. It's a French research base on the Kerguelen Islands, deep in the southern Indian Ocean. You can't just book a flight. Most visitors arrive on the supply ship Marion Dufresne, which sails a few times a year from Réunion, or they come as scientists, staff or crew. Check with the territory's administration (TAAF) before you plan anything.
If you do get a place, December to March is the easiest stretch. Highs reach 7 to 9°C, and February is our best month. It's still only rated Fair. Expect grey skies, drizzle and wind on most days. Sun peaks at about 3 hours a day in December.
Long daylight helps, though. You get time for short walks around the base, with fur seals, king penguins and elephant seals on the shores nearby. Hikers get the best chance of dry ground. Pack proper waterproofs, because the weather can flip in minutes.
Autumn and spring: shoulder months
April and November sit in between. April is the wettest month, with 78 mm, and the days shorten fast. November is milder at 6°C and brings new life to the seal and bird colonies. October is the driest month, with 48 mm on 9 days. February is close behind with 49 mm. These months can suit you if the ship timing works and you want fewer people around the base.
Don't expect cafés or tours to fill the gaps. There's no tourist season in the usual sense. Numbers depend on ship schedules and research programmes, not school holidays.
Winter: for staff and the determined
From May to September, highs stay between 3 and 4°C. Nights dip to -1°C in July and August. Sun drops to under 2 hours a day in June and July. Damp, cold wind is the main story, along with some snow on higher ground.
Most people here in winter are on long postings. Travelling for the views? This isn't your season. If you're staying a full year, expect cosy evenings in the base, long nights and plenty of time for books and projects.
There are no public festivals or tourist events. Life follows the work calendar, and the supply-ship visits are the big moments. Many on the base also mark Bastille Day on 14 July and the midwinter break, which keep morale up in the dark months.
Port-aux-Francais weather by month
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Humidity | Sun hrs/day | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C 47°F | 4°C 39°F | 54 mm | 11 | 81% | 2.9 | Poor 4.4 |
| February | 9°C 48°F | 4°C 40°F | 49 mm | 10 | 83% | 2.8 | Fair 4.9 |
| March | 8°C 46°F | 4°C 39°F | 57 mm | 12 | 84% | 2.7 | Poor 4.2 |
| April | 7°C 44°F | 3°C 37°F | 78 mm | 13 | 86% | 2.3 | Poor 3.1 |
| May | 4°C 40°F | 1°C 34°F | 70 mm | 15 | 87% | 2 | Poor 2.1 |
| June | 3°C 38°F | 0°C 32°F | 65 mm | 12 | 88% | 1.7 | Poor 2.4 |
| July | 3°C 37°F | -1°C 31°F | 66 mm | 12 | 87% | 1.8 | Poor 2.2 |
| August | 3°C 37°F | -1°C 31°F | 65 mm | 13 | 86% | 1.9 | Poor 1.9 |
| September | 3°C 37°F | 0°C 31°F | 55 mm | 12 | 84% | 2.3 | Poor 2.4 |
| October | 4°C 39°F | 1°C 33°F | 48 mm | 9 | 82% | 2.5 | Poor 3.3 |
| November | 6°C 42°F | 2°C 35°F | 60 mm | 12 | 82% | 2.7 | Poor 3.2 |
| December | 7°C 45°F | 3°C 38°F | 57 mm | 11 | 82% | 3 | Poor 4.1 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Port-aux-Francais?
The best time to visit Port-aux-Francais is February, based on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sunshine.
What is the hottest month in Port-aux-Francais?
February is the hottest month in Port-aux-Francais, with an average high of 9°C (48°F).
What is the coldest month in Port-aux-Francais?
July is the coldest month in Port-aux-Francais, with an average low of -1°C (31°F).
What is the rainiest month in Port-aux-Francais?
April is the wettest month, with about 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain. October is the driest, with 48 mm (1.9 in).
Does it snow in Port-aux-Francais?
Snow is possible in July to September, when daytime highs stay close to or below freezing.
More in French Southern Territories