Crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica (How Bad is it?)

What it’s really like crossing the Drake Passage from Ushuaia to Antarctica.

The Drake Passage, the stretch of water between the southernmost tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica has the notorious reputation of being the roughest seas in the world.

For centuries sailors would venture in trepidation through the stormy passage, pushing their ships and skills to the limit.

But is crossing the Drake Passage really as bad as it sounds in today’s climate?

Watch our vlog episode about crossing the Drake Passage

Every year the thousands of tourists that make the passage from South America to Antarctica on expedition and cruise ships are rewarded with one of the most incredible adventures on this planet – a visit to the ‘White Continent’.

For some people the idea of spending two days at sea in potentially rough conditions is enough to deter them from making their journey to Antarctica. Based on our own personal experience, this fear is unwarranted.

Check out our comprehensive list of the most epic things to do in Antarctica!

We crossed from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula on a Russian research vessel in 2017, and experienced ‘Beaufort 9’ winds (on a scale that goes to 12). Despite the shaky passage we felt completely safe, even if we did get a little motion sickness.

Since we have returned from Antarctica we have been asked dozens of times, “What is it like crossing the Drake’s Passage?” The short answer: Not as bad as you think.

Today the crossing is far less treacherous compared to the early days of exploration, thanks to advanced ship construction and modern satellite and weather monitoring technologies.

It is important to remember that the fearful reputation that the Drake Passage has mainly stems from the dangerous crossings that sailors made in wooden ships, without the aid of GPS and weather forecasts.

Yes, the seas can be rough. And yes, some people get sea sick. But no, it is not scary or dangerous anymore.

We are running a very exclusive small-group expedition to Antarctica, South Georgia and Falkland Islands in 2022! Check out the tour page if you’d like to learn more.

History of the Drake Passage

The history of exploration in the Drake Passage goes back nearly 500 years.

This stretch of sea is where the Southern Ocean surges through an 800km-wide gap between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula,…