The Drake Passage

To start with, here are the basics:

• The Drake Passage is a water stretch separating the Antarctic Peninsula from South America. It is one of the roughest places in the Earth’s oceans, and ships must cross it to reach Antarctica.
• It takes around 2 days and 48 hours to cross the Passage from Ushuaia in Argentina to the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica on a modern expedition ship.
• While crossing the Drake Passage might seem intimidating, it is part of the adventure, and most crossings occur in reasonable sea conditions.
• For travellers who prefer not to cross by ship, it is possible to join a fly-the-Drake expedition cruise and board a ship in Antarctica.

Are you looking to cross the Drake Passage? At Polar Escapes, you can search and book the largest selection of expedition cruises and tours to Antarctica.

So where is The Drake Passage Located exactly?

The Drake Passage is part of the Southern Ocean. It stretches from the turbulent waters of Cape Horn on the southern tip of Chile in South America to the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica.

It is a strait of water 660 miles long and around 500 miles wide, connecting the southwestern part of the Atlantic to the southeastern part of the Pacific Ocean.

The Passage makes the Southern Ocean the only ocean uninterrupted by land, contributing to the often rough sea conditions.   

Drake Passage Map

Why is the Drake Passage so rough?

The Drake Passage is considered one of the roughest oceans on Earth. Several unique factors create turbulent waters and rough seas in the Passage.

• There is no landmass in the southern ocean, which flows around the globe unimpeded, causing wind and waves to be unbroken.
• Strong westerly winds known as the furious 50s blow through the seaway.
• The Passage has one of the most strong currents in the world, with a flow of up to 150 million cubic metres per second.
• It is the narrowest part of the Southern Ocean, where the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans mix with the Antarctic circumpolar current.
• Storms pass through the turbulent waterway on average every 3 days.

What’s It Like Crossing The Drake Passage? – Drake Lake Or Drake Shake.

Once described by CNN as the world’s most terrifying ocean crossing the Drake Passage has a reputation for being rough, but this isn’t always the case.

Drake Lake refers to mild conditions. However, 70% of travellers experience calmer conditions—the other 30% experience Drake Shake, where conditions are more turbulent for part of the crossing.

I have crossed the Drake Passage multiple times and never felt scared on a modern ship. However, the movement during stormy conditions can be uncomfortable. The excitement of seeing Antarctica for the first time is worth the ride, and there are plenty of wildlife opportunities on the way, including albatrosses that swoop overhead.  

Onboard, it is an excellent opportunity for presentations and lectures by the ship’s team of guides and polar experts.

If conditions look too bad, ships will avoid the worst of the bad weather. This happened to me when conditions were so stormy that the captain decided to shelter behind Cape Horn for the night before continuing the next day behind the storm.

Stormy conditions in the Drake known as Drake Shake.

When is the best month to cross the Drake Passage?

It is only possible to cross the Drake Passage on an Expedition cruise during the summer months between November and March. At other times of the year, the weather is too extreme for Antarctica cruises to operate.

The best months to cross the Drake Passage are December, January, and February, as these are the middle of summer in Antarctica and have the chance of the best weather conditions. However, there are storms and low depressions throughout the summer, so the weather can never be guaranteed.   

The Drake Passage in calm conditions known as Drake Lake

Is the Drake Passage Dangerous?

Whilst it is considered an adventurous undertaking, crossing the Drake Passage is not inherently dangerous. Here are some reasons why

• Over 70,000 people uneventfully visit the Antarctic Peninsula on a cruise ship each year, many opting to sail across the Drake Passage.
• Modern expedition ships are built to withstand stormy conditions, have the latest safety features, and have highly experienced crews.
• Ships are fitted with stabilisers to help reduce movement. The fleet of X-bow ships has a wave-piercing bow design, which creates even more stability in rough conditions.
• Modern weather forecasting is highly accurate and allows ships to avoid the worst of the bad weather.
• Being prepared for rough weather and following steps to mitigate seasickness can help ensure that your crossing is comfortable no matter the weather.

As with any form of travel to the polar regions, there are risks involved, and it is worth being aware of these

• Medical facilities on a ship are more limited than on land, and you are a long way from a hospital.
• During rough weather, ships move. Trips and slips are possible, so always take precautions when moving around the ship.
• If you get seasick, it is essential to manage it with medication for the duration of the crossing.  

At Polar Escapes, we only work with trusted operators with decades of experience safely navigating the Drake Passage, so you can rest assured that you are travelling with the best.

Drake Passage Cruises

Drake passage cruises sail from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula on voyages between 9 and 14 days long. Cruises depart from Ushuaia in Argentina or Puerto Williams in Chile, depending on your itinerary.

After departing South America, it takes approximately 2 days to cruise across the Drake before reaching the South Shetland Islands off the coast of the Antarctic mainland. On a 10-day Antarctic Peninsula cruise, you will spend 6 days exploring Antarctica and the other 4 days at sea.

Combining an Antarctica cruise with South Georgia Island and the Falkland Islands in a loop is possible, crossing the Drake one way.

Icebergs in the Drake Passage

Should I Fly or Cruise the Drake Passage?

If crossing the Drake Passage is not for you, you can join a fly-the-Drake expedition and skip the sailing.

Private charter flights are included as part of the expedition. You fly from Punta Arenas in Chile on a 2-hour flight to King George Island and join your Antarctica cruise there.

Advantages of flying

• Save time. 2 days of sailing is reduced to 2 hours of flight time.
• Skip a potentially rough crossing.

Disadvantages of Flying

• Miss out on the adventure and wildlife of the Drake Passage.
• Fly the Drake expeditions are usually more expensive than cruise-only options.
• There is less choice of dates and ships.
• Flights are prone to delays due to bad weather in Antarctica.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, but I believe you are missing part of the experience if you fly.

Advice for crossing the Drake passage

So now you have decided that a crossing is for you. Here are my top tips:

• Choose a ship with stabilisers, as these help reduce the ship’s movement.
• If you are prone to sea sickness, consider a larger ship that will move less than a smaller one.
• Bring seasickness remedies and medication with you.
• Drink ginger tea. It’s a perfect remedy and will help keep you warm.
• Choose a cabin in the centre of the ship, as these have less movement than cabins at the bow or stern.
• Spend time out on deck. Fresh air and seeing the horizon are the perfect antidote to seasickness.
• Enjoy it! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

When Was the Drake Passage Discovered?  

The Drake Passage was first discovered in 1525 by Spanish navigator Francisco de Hoces, although he did not navigate it. On old Spanish maps, it is referred to as Mar de Hoces.

The passage is named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, who explored the region. In 1578, Drake entered the Passage on his ship, the Golden Hind. Although he didn’t sail through it, it was named after him.

It wasn’t until 1616 that Willem Schouten became the first to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the Drake Passage.

The first sight of land after crossing the Drake Passage in Antarctica.

What wildlife can I see?

Antarctica is home to abundant wildlife, and it starts the moment you leave South America.

While you are not likely to see any emperor penguins yet, birds, including petrels and albatrosses, circle the ship, diving amongst the turbulent waters and soaring up into the sky. This makes for great photography practice.

During the crossing, keep a lookout for whales on deck. At least six whale species are sighted in the Drake, including Blue, Minke, Fin, Spen, Sei and Southern Right Whales. Dolphins are also frequently sighted. As you approach Antarctica, keep an eye out for orcas and seals.

For a comprehensive overview of all the species please see our Wildlife of Antarctica Guide.

Summary

• The Drake Passage is a waterway that separates Antarctica from South America and provides a maritime route between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.
• Crossing the Drake Passage is a rite of passage for any traveller to the 7th continent, following in the footsteps of Sir Francis Drake, who first discovered it in 1578.
• It is an adventure; with the right cruise line and planning, it can be a safe and memorable experience.
• You don’t have to cross the Drake Passage to get to Antarctica, as you can choose to fly there instead.

Are you ready to explore the Drake passage for yourself? Here at Polar Escapes, we partner with the world’s best expedition cruise lines. Please see our Antarctica cruises to search and book your perfect trip across the Drake passage.

If you would like some advice from people who have been there, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.