HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE ON A CRUISE TO ANTARCTICA

First a note:
Unlike other pages you’ve seen about crossing the Drake, we’ve got no horse in this race. Travel agents like to tell you that sailing across is nothing to worry about (they want you to buy.) Fly-cruise operators may tell you that flying is the best way to go if you’re nervous (they want you to fly.) TikTok influencers and YouTubers may share video clips of their crossing that make it look like an extreme sport (they want you to watch and share.)

The reality is this:

The actual experience of crossing the Drake will be yours and yours alone.

Any nervousness you feel is real. How you approach crossing the Drake and how you feel about when the time comes will be personal to you. The best thing you can do is to learn the facts about crossing the Drake Passage, make informed choices as you are planning, and be prepared for your crossing.

The information on this page is meant to be unbiased and helpful as you consider strategies and options for getting to Antarctica.

QUESTION 1
WHAT IS THE DRAKE PASSAGE?

The Drake Passage is the body of water between Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. The passage spans from approximately 55°S to 62°S latitude. At approximately 500 nautical miles wide, it represents the shortest way to reach Antarctica from any continent.

Named after English privateer Sir Francis Drake, the passage connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the world's strongest ocean current. This unique geography creates the challenging weather conditions the passage is famous for.

QUESTION 2
HOW LONG DOES CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE TAKE?

A typical Drake Passage crossing takes between 36 to 48 hours, depending on several factors:

Vessel Speed: 10-16 knots is typical for expedition ships. If you are on a ship capable of 16 knots and the Drake Passage conditions are flat, your crossing will be much faster than a ship capable of only 10 knots at its fastest. Since the faster ships can cover more ground when conditions allow, they are often able to avoid rougher weather by getting out ahead of it, or allowing bad weather to pass and then making up time.

Sea Conditions: Rough seas require reduced speed. Even though some ships are faster than others in open flat water, conditions will ultimately dictate speed. If the Drake conditions include moderate to rough seas, expect a longer crossing.

Route Taken: Crossing the Drake Passage isn’t always done in a straight line. Captains will look at the forecast and determine the best route for the anticipated conditions. In some cases, that means sailing farther east or west to avoid potentially bad weather or rough seas.

QUESTION 3
DRAKE LAKE VS. DRAKE SHAKE: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

These playful terms describe two very different experiences you might encounter when crossing the Drake Passage:

DRAKE LAKE:
Conditions: Wave heights under 3 meters, winds under 20 knots
Experience: Smooth sailing, minimal ship movement, comfortable crossing
Frequency: Occurs approximately 30-40% of crossings

DRAKE SHAKE:
Conditions: Wave heights over 6 meters, winds over 35 knots
Experience: Significant ship movement, challenging conditions
Frequency: Occurs approximately 20-30% of crossings

MOST COMMON: Moderate conditions fall between these extremes and occur 50-70% of the time, with wave heights of 3-6 meters providing a noticeable but manageable crossing experience. Commonly described as “Shake with a side of Lake” or “Lake with a side of Shake” depending on proportion.

QUESTION 4
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CROSS THE DRAKE PASSAGE?

Most expedition ships cross the Drake Passage in the Austral Summer: November - March. Some even operate during the shoulder season of October and April. While cruise marketers claim that the Drake Passage is likely to be calmer during the high summer months of December and January, the reality (supported by historical weather data) is that there is no consistency to the intensity of weather from month to month or year to year. On any given day during the expedition cruising season, the Drake is as likely to be stormy as it is to be calm. Sorry, marketing folks, it’s true. There is one benefit of traveling to Antarctica in December and January though: almost 20 hours of daylight!

QUESTION 5
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY DRAKE PASSAGE CROSSING?

Your Drake Passage experience will depend on weather conditions, but here's what to typically expect:

Most crossings depart from Ushuaia, Argentina or nearby ports in Chile in the late afternoon or evening. Ships typically navigate the protected Beagle Channel for the first 2-3 hours before entering the open Drake Passage. As you leave the continent behind with Antarctica as your next destination, you begin to truly appreciate the adventure you’re on.

Whether you get Drake Lake or Drake Shake, you’re likely to experience some motion over the next 24-36 hours. This is normal and expected. Modern expedition vessels are equipped with stabilizers to help even out the ride, but you would be wise to respect the threat of seasickness and take proper precautions. Your expedition team will keep you informed and entertained with educational lectures and wildlife spotting throughout the crossing. Dining services remain regular regardless of weather, though menus may be adjusted during rougher conditions.

As you cross the Antarctic Convergence, where cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters sink beneath warmer, less dense sub-Antarctic waters, you’ll feel the air temperature change and everyone will start to feel the excitment. This zone triggers nutrient-rich upwelling, supporting massive concentrations of krill, seabirds, and marine mammals.

When you spot the first points of Antarctica on the horizon, you can expect a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Crossing the Drake is literally a rite of passage and you’ve just done it.

QUESTION 6
HOW CAN I PREVENT SEASICKNESS ON MY DRAKE PASSAGE CROSSING?

Seasickness affects many travelers when crossing the Drake Passage. There are proven strategies to minimize discomfort. Even if you have never been seasick before, it’s important to board the ship prepared for the possibility and prevention is the best cure. (Once you are seasick, it’s very difficult to keep anti-nausea pills down…)

Medication
Common over the counter and prescription medications are available. Dramamine comes in original formula (Dimenhydrinate) which is a short-term pill causing significant drowsiness. Dramamine Less Drowsy (Meclazine) is a 24-hour pill, also sold commercially as Bonine. Scopolamine transdermal patches are available by prescription and are usually good for up to 3 days - the perfect amount of time for crossing. Whichever medication you choose, start taking them 12-24 hours before entering the Drake. With all medications, there are potential side-effects and drug interactions. Consult your physician before taking anything new.

Cabin Location
Cabin location is one of the factors that you may be able to control. To minimize motion, choose a cabin on a lower deck, midship. If you imagine a see-saw, cabins near the bow or the stern (the ends of the see-saw) go up and down way more than where it pivots in the middle.

Natural Remedies
Many travelers swear by ginger candies and supplements, acupressure bands and other devices to manage seasickness. What ship doctors will tell you is this: your mileage may vary. If you are going to try a natural remedy, be sure to have a backup medical option with you in case ginger candies or those newfangled eyeglasses don’t cut it.

Behavioral Tips
Rule #1: Do what ever makes you comfortable. For some people, that’s being up on deck, looking at the horizon and getting fresh air. For others, it’s sleeping or laying flat in their bed. Stay hydrated and eat light meals. Avoid reading books, using mobile devices, or staring at screens, as these activities cause the eyes to focus on a still object while your body feels motion, triggering a sensory mismatch. Audiobooks and podcasts can be good distractions.

QUESTION 7
HOW ACCURATE ARE DRAKE PASSAGE FORECASTS?

Modern weather forecasting for the Drake Passage has significantly improved, but challenges remain due to the region's unique geography and limited observation data.

Forecast Reliability by Timeframe:

1-3 Days: Highly reliable for general conditions and trends

4-7 Days: Good accuracy for major weather patterns

7+ Days: Useful for long-term planning but subject to significant change

Key Factors: The Southern Ocean's vast distances mean weather systems can intensify or weaken rapidly. Expedition leaders typically make final crossing decisions based on 48-72 hour forecasts.

Important: Forecasting tools available to the public provide general guidance so you have an idea of what you might expect. Always consult professional marine weather services for operational decisions.

QUESTION 8
CAN I AVOID THE DRAKE PASSAGE AND FLY TO ANTARCTICA?

Yes, it is possible to avoid sailing across the Drake Passage by choosing to fly to Antarctica. Flying to Antarctica can save time (the flight is 2-3 hours) and may help limit your anxiety about crossing the Drake on a ship. Expedition companies such as Antarctica 21, Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, National Geographic Expeditions, Silversea and others all offer this option.

However, you do need to be aware that flying across the Drake Passage is not a guaranteed method of reaching Antarctica. The landing strip on King George Island (in the South Shetland Islands) is only open when the weather is good. Its location on the edge of the Drake Passage means flights to or from Antarctica can be significantly delayed or canceled due to poor visibility, high winds, or precipitation - all factors that are unpredictable. The number of flights that are delayed or canceled varies widely from year to year, so on-time statistics are not helpful when assessing if this option is right for you.

QUESTION 9
IS CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE DANGEROUS?

The Drake's fearsome reputation is largely a relic of the age of wooden sailing ships, when forecasts were made by looking at the sky and putting a wet finger in the air. Today, seasickness is a far more realistic concern than safety. Thanks to advanced weather modeling, modern ice-strengthened ships with stabilization technology and experienced captains who routinely delay departures to avoid storms, ships can easily avoid the most dangerous periods in the Drake Passage. If you are a person who is reassured by numbers, about 100,000 people per year cross the Drake (over and back, so 200,000 crossings per year) and fatalities due to sea conditions are an exceedingly rare occurrence - about 1 death per several million crossings. This is on par with commercial aviation and many times safer than driving in a passenger car (12 deaths per 100,000 people per year, on average, globally.)

QUESTION 10
WHICH SHIPS ARE BEST FOR CROSSING THE DRAKE PASSAGE?

All modern expedition ships are built to cross the Drake safely, but newer vessels offer a noticeably smoother ride. Ships featuring the Ulstein X-BOW — an inverted hull design that slices through waves rather than slamming into them — have reported a 50% reduction in passengers needing seasickness treatment. Look for vessels with zero-speed active fin stabilizers, which reduce side-to-side rolling by up to 90%, even when the ship is stationary.

BONUS QUESTION
WHAT ABOUT ROGUE WAVES, SINKING, AND DEATH IN THE DRAKE PASSAGE?

Major incidents when crossing the Drake are rare, but when they happen, they are newsworthy (and live on the internet forever.) The most significant Drake Passage incident in modern history was the 2022 Viking Polaris rogue wave, where one passenger died and eight were injured when the ship was struck by a breaking wave that shattered seven stateroom windows. Prior to that, the other major event was in 2007 when the MS Explorer sank after striking an iceberg. All passengers and crew were rescued.