Close your eyes and imagine arriving in Antarctica.
Maybe you’re bundled up in layers on the deck of an expedition ship, and rewarded with the sight of white cliffs emerging from an inky sea spotted with crumbling glaciers. Or maybe you’re touching down on a remote landing strip, watching as an endless white wilderness seems to swallow you up.
Either way, you will have crossed the Drake Passage. The difference is whether you go over or through.
The Drake Passage is a stretch of open ocean between South America and Antarctica, and was first traversed by a Dutch explorer in 1616. Today, Antarctica travelers have a choice: sail the Drake for the classic expedition experience, or fly over it to reach Antarctica sooner and reduce their time on open water. When planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure like Antarctica, there’s a lot of pressure to ‘get it right.’ But when it comes to reaching the White Continent, there’s no right or wrong option, just one that works best for you.
Which option fits your schedule and travel style? Here’s what you need to know.
Key Takeaways: What is the Drake Passage?
- The Drake Passage separates South America from Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands.
- Expedition ships typically take about two days to cross the Drake Passage.
- Conditions range from calm “Drake Lake” seas to the famously rough “Drake Shake.”
- Sailing offers the classic crossing, while fly-cruise options reduce time spent at sea.
One of the most infamous parts of any Antarctica journey is crossing the legendary Drake Passage. Here, in this narrow nautical thoroughfare, strong westerly winds and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current combine to create conditions that can cause rough seas. Even the most experienced travelers can feel seasick at times.
Today, travelers have another option: flying directly to Antarctica with a two-hour flight that bypasses the Drake Passage entirely. This offers a faster and smoother journey to Antarctica, shaving off up to two days of travel time in each direction. You can use the extra time to explore Patagonia before or after your trip, or to enjoy a longer cruise, giving you more time on the ice. With a Fly-Cruise package, you’ll spend more of your vacation doing the things you really want to do.
Is a Fly-Cruise Antarctica package right for you? Here’s everything you need to know about the Drake Passage, to help you decide.
What Is the Drake Passage?
The Drake Passage is a stretch of open ocean between Cape Horn, at the southern tip of South America, and the South Shetland Islands, which are the gateway to Antarctica. It’s the narrowest point at the confluence of three oceans, which can cause rough conditions. Because there are few landmasses at these southern latitudes to slow wind and water, conditions in the passage can be unpredictable and much rougher than on typical cruise routes.
This has given the Drake an almost mythic reputation among travelers, but that doesn’t mean the crossing is inherently dangerous. Experienced expedition operators monitor forecasts and sea conditions and choose their route carefully, sailing through the passage on modern vessels designed specifically for polar travel through the Drake, with stabilizers that counteract ship motion to reduce potential discomfort. For many travelers with flexible schedules, the journey by sea only enhances their greatest adventure yet.
How Rough is the Drake Passage?
Because of strong westerly winds and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that meet in the Drake Passage, it’s often subject to significant ocean swells. You may have seen this in viral videos, but that doesn’t mean every expedition encounters towering waves. Many travelers experience moderate or even surprisingly mild conditions.
Polar travelers often use these two terms to describe the movement of the passage:
- The Drake Lake: calm or relatively gentle seas.
- The Drake Shake: a rougher crossing with noticeable swells.
You might experience both during your journey. Travelers who are more sensitive to motion may find the experience uncomfortable, while others see it as a memorable part of the overall adventure.
How Long Does It Take to Cross the Drake Passage?
A typical Drake Passage crossing takes around two days each way. But since the ocean answers only to Mother Nature, that amount of time can vary based on weather and sea conditions. The captain’s chosen course and vessel speed are also factors that impact how long a crossing takes.
Many travelers consider these days an integral part of the expedition, with opportunities to attend fascinating talks, spot albatross soaring overhead, and build anticipation before reaching Antarctica. Others prefer to spend those same days exploring ashore instead. Neither approach is wrong—it simply depends on the kind of journey you’re looking for.
What Is It Actually Like to Cross the Drake Passage?
No two Drake Passage crossings are identical.
You might wake after a restful night, join a naturalist presentation, enjoy lunch with fellow adventurers, and step out on deck to spot albatross that rely on their 11-foot wingspan to soar over whitecapped waves. When calm, the open ocean can feel meditative and infinite.
On days when the sea is rougher, the ship’s movement becomes more noticeable, and this is when most seasickness occurs.
Will I Get Seasick Crossing the Drake Passage?
Some travelers experience seasickness on the Drake Passage, while others feel little-to-no discomfort during the journey. Which camp you’ll fall into depends on the conditions of the weather and sea, the vessel you’re traveling in, and your personal sensitivity to motion.
The good news is that preparation can make a considerable difference. Before traveling, speak with your physician or a travel-health professional about how the journey may affect you, and whether you should bring prescription or over-the-counter medication as a preventative measure.
Motion sickness is essentially a disagreement between your eyes and ears—your inner ears can feel that you’re moving, but because everything on the ship is moving with you, it appears stationary, which creates a conflict between what you see and feel. It may feel counterintuitive, but watching the horizon as the ship rocks allows your body and mind to settle their differences.
Other non-medical measures that may help include:
- Lying down or closing your eyes.
- Staying well hydrated.
- Eating small, light meals.
- Limiting alcohol and excessive caffeine.
- Resting in a lower, more central part of the ship, where movement may be less pronounced.
- Following the advice of the onboard medical and Expedition Teams.
Onboard medical personnel may also be available to assess your symptoms and discuss treatment.
It can be disappointing to miss a meal or presentation onboard, but seasickness during the crossing does not mean the rest of your expedition will be affected. Conditions around the Antarctic Peninsula are often more sheltered than those of the open Drake Passage, and symptoms generally improve once the vessel reaches calmer water.
Is Crossing the Drake Passage Worth It?
Crossing the Drake Passage can be worth it for travelers who want a particularly cinematic, gratifying arrival in Antarctica as its cliffs slowly appear on the horizon.
It may be especially rewarding if you:
- Enjoy spending time at sea
- Are less prone to seasickness
- Appreciate naturalist lectures and expedition history
- Want to viscerally experience the distance and remoteness of Antarctica
There is also a sense of shared accomplishment in completing the passage crossing, which will bring you closer to your fellow travelers. But sailing the Drake is not a requirement for having a meaningful Antarctic experience.
Can You Skip the Drake Passage?
Yes—skipping the Drake Passage with a Fly-Cruise expedition offers the smoothest and most predictable journey, with an easy two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island. As a bonus, you’ll also get to see Antarctica from the air—an incredible sight!
Most importantly, instead of spending days crossing open ocean, you’ll arrive ready to begin exploring almost immediately—and you’ll enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the White Continent along the way.
All forms of Antarctic travel are highly weather-dependent, so be mindful that your schedule may change at any time, regardless of which expedition you choose.
Sailing vs. Flying the Drake Passage: Which Is Right for You?
Neither sailing nor flying is universally “better.” The right choice for you depends on what you want the journey to feel like.
| Sail the Drake | Fly over the Drake |
|---|---|
| Classic polar expedition experience | Faster access to Antarctica |
| Approximately two days at sea each way | Less time on open water |
| Gradual, anticipation-building arrival | More immediate arrival |
| Possibility of rough conditions | Better suited to shorter travel windows |
| The passage becomes part of the journey | See Antarctica by air during your flight |
The Drake Passage Is a Choice, Not a Deterrant
Whether you sail across it or fly above it, the Drake Passage marks the threshold between modern civilization and one of Earth’s last untouched wildernesses. It’s the beginning of a once-in-a-lifetime journey to a place that will provide totally new context to the world you know.
For some, sailing is a rite of passage, while for others, flying removes the one obstacle that might otherwise keep Antarctica beyond reach. The decision is yours to make.
Want to compare options? Quasar can talk you through itineraries and travel styles, help you pair your Antarctica expedition with an immersive Patagonia Safari, and design a journey that reflects your available time, comfort preferences, and spirit of adventure.
Contact a specialist today to explore what’s in store.
