Drake Passage | Antarctica’s Legendary Crossing

The Drake Passage, often considered ‘the most dreaded bit of ocean on the globe’, is a final challenge for explorers visiting the Antarctic Peninsula. Unless one prefers flying to Antarctica, this notorious stretch of water is the final barrier to overcome to reach the wonderland that is Antarctica. The unique confluence of history and geography makes sailing the Drake Passage a special experience, making an Antarctic journey even more exciting. 

Where the name ‘Drake’ comes from

Drake Passage is the open sea between the finger-like projections of Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. Francisco de Hoces, a Spanish explorer, entered these waters while journeying from the Strait of Magellan in 1525. This is the reason that some Spanish maps mark the area as Mar de Hoces (Sea of Hoces).

The English name of the Passage comes from Sir Francis Drake, a 16th-century English explorer whose ships were blown far off their route by an “intolerable tempest” in 1578. Drake considered this the area where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet. He also observed the open waters beyond the southern tip of South America, and no sign of the hypothetical continent Terra Australis.

The first recorded crossing

Sir Francis Drake was not the first person to sail through the Passage, as he continued his journey through the known route of the Strait of Magellan. Even so, his journey paved the way for other sailors to attempt a crossing.

The credit for the first recorded crossing through the Drake Passage goes to Dutch navigator Willem Schouten. He discovered the new route around the tip of South America during his 1615–16 expedition. Dutch merchant Isaac Le Maire organised the expedition, and his son Jacob Le Maire led the expedition jointly with Schouten. 

While rounding the tip of the continent in 1616, Schouten named it Cape Horn after the Dutch city of Hoorn, his birthplace. Previously, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) had a monopoly on all the spice trade conducted through the Strait of Magellan. The discovery of the new route opened a new chapter in maritime history, making the Drake Passage a primary international trade route.

Why the Drake Passage is so notorious

A history of difficult crossings

Over the centuries, the Drake Passage has earned a formidable reputation among sailors. While it is far more manageable today, historical crossings were not without peril. Since its discovery, the Passage has claimed around 800 ships and 20,000 lives. One of the worst tragedies occurred in 1819, when the Spanish ship the San Telmo, with a crew of 644 men, sank here.

The power of the wind

The Drake Passage lies between 56° south latitude and 62° south latitude - an area with no major landmass to slow down the wind. This provides an open channel for the winds that travel around the globe to pass unhindered at high speeds. Historically, these violent winds - roaring forties, furious fifties, and screaming sixties - have been named according to their increasing latitudes. 

These winds transfer enormous energy to the ocean surface, creating huge storm swells that can reach 13-15 metres (42-49 feet)  in height. Some ship captains have reported 20-meter (66 feet) waves. For sailors of the past, such conditions were often overwhelming.

Crossing the Drake Passage today

What conditions to expect

Crossing the Drake Passage is part of the Antarctic experience — an open stretch of ocean known for its shifting moods. While the weather can be unpredictable, the vast majority of expedition voyages manage it without issue, especially during the more stable summer months. Average wave heights typically range from 3 to 5 metres, though rougher conditions can sometimes lead to changes in route or timing to ensure a safe crossing.

The two opposing Drake Passage conditions have been nicknamed the ‘Drake Lake’ or ‘Drake Shake’. The majority of the time, voyagers experience Drake Lake, characterised by mild winds and relatively clear skies. The infamous Drake Shake with turbulent winds and high waves occur around 30 percent of the time. Even so, you never know what awaits you, the ‘shake’ or the ‘lake’. However, the conditions are more stable during the summer, the safe period for Antarctic journeys. 

Modern ships and prepared crews

Today’s polar-class expedition vessels are designed to handle these challenging seas with safety as the top priority. While stabilisation systems and hull designs vary between ships, most vessels are built to manage heavy swell and polar conditions. Experienced captains monitor forecasts closely and adjust speed or course when needed to ensure the safest, smoothest route possible.

Inside, thoughtful details help make the journey more comfortable — from non-slip tableware to handrails and layouts designed for movement in rough weather. Expedition staff are trained to support guests through the crossing, including offering seasickness medication (although do bring your own too) and practical tips for riding out any swells.

Can I avoid the Drake Passage?

Yes. Our expedition micro fly and cruise departures let you skip the Drake Passage entirely, flying directly from Puerto Natales to King George Island in just two hours.

This approach transforms your Antarctic journey. Instead of spending two days at sea in each direction, you'll arrive at the White Continent the same day you depart from Patagonia. That means more time exploring Antarctica itself — more landings, more wildlife encounters, more moments amongst the ice.

The flight lands at King George Island, where you'll transfer via zodiac to your waiting 42-guest expedition vessel. From there, you'll spend your days immersed in the Antarctic Peninsula rather than crossing open ocean. At journey's end, you'll fly back to Puerto Natales, maximising every precious day of your polar adventure.

For travellers short on time, prone to seasickness, or simply wanting to prioritise Antarctic exploration over sea crossings, our fly and cruise option offers the fastest route to the continent. You'll still experience the full Antarctic expedition — zodiac landings, penguin colonies, dramatic ice formations — you'll just spend more time doing it.

Photography and filming opportunities in the Drake Passage

Early mornings often bring soft light ideal for landscape shots, while stormy skies, textured seas, and soaring seabirds can make for striking compositions throughout the day. The key is flexibility — adapting your shots to whatever Drake gives you. Wind and spray can be challenging, so protective gear for your equipment is essential. Rain covers, and lens cloths go a long way toward keeping things functional.

Enriching lectures and daily briefings

Throughout the crossing, the expedition team hosts a series of talks designed to prepare and inspire. These lectures often include:

• Antarctic wildlife and ecosystems

• Weather and ocean currents

• The history of polar exploration

• Environmental protection and IAATO guidelines

These sessions are not only informative but help foster a sense of connection — to the region, your fellow travellers, and the greater purpose of responsible exploration.

A Rite of passage for Antarctic explorers

For explorers, the journey through the Drake Passage serves as a rite of passage before reaching the borders of Antarctica. A successful crossing of the Passage provides a sense of achievement, which is a part of the overall Antarctic adventure. In other words, it is a test that one must clear before entering a special land that is disconnected from the rest of the world. 

The sense of trepidation that visitors feel while boarding the cruise ship makes the richness of the Polar experience deeper. After two days of the dark skies and rough seas, the sight of land and the bright white ice of Antarctica comes as a relief. For those short on time or who prefer to avoid the Drake Passage, it’s possible to fly into Antarctica and begin the voyage from King George Island or, on select itineraries, from Petrel Airfield on Dundee Island — a growing hub for Antarctic access.

The tumultuous Passage also makes one wonder - how did the explorers from previous centuries navigate through these waters without the luxury facilities and advanced technological features of modern ships? Even if you experience calm seas on the Passage, it is worth remembering that most seafarers from the previous era were not so lucky. That builds up the respect for the valiant spirit of those heroic explorers.

Scientific importance of the Drake Passage

The Drake Passage plays an important role in the ocean-atmosphere-cryosphere system that shapes the global climate. It is one of the rare areas where the deepest layer of ocean water interacts directly with the atmosphere. This effect turns the Passage into a carbon sequestration hotspot, which significantly impacts the planet’s climate.

The monitoring of the Drake Passage provides deep insights into the dynamics of the Southern Ocean and the weather patterns of Antarctica. Climate models have suggested that the formation of the Passage millions of years ago contributed significantly to the cooling of Antarctica. This event that occurred around 30-50 million years ago could have also triggered a global cooling event.

Long-term monitoring of the Passage remains a priority for global oceanographic and climate research teams. Since the Passage constricts the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, it is the best place to study the current’s properties. Full-depth hydrographic measurements are done during the summer for detailed studies on the effects of the current. 

Sailor superstitions and legends of the Drake Passage

The reason that the Drake crossing evoked fear among sailors was that the route was unavoidable for cargo ships travelling between Europe and the western coast of America. This fear and the related accidents led to the spread of various myths and legends about the Passage. 

One such unproven but eerie tale is about the English schooner The Jenny, which got trapped in sea ice in the Passage in 1823. Almost two decades passed before the unfortunate vessel was found by a whaling boat named Hope in 1840. The crew of the Hope were shocked to find the bodies of the sailors frozen on the deck while standing at attention. Jenny’s captain was found frozen in his chair, writing the last note in his logbook. 

The Jenny Buttress on King George Island was named in honour of the doomed vessel. While the story of this ghost ship was published in the Austrian newspaper Wiener Zeitung in 1841, historians have not been able to trace the original records of The Jenny. This casts a doubt on the authenticity of the story.

Despite the fearful reputation and the legends, the Passage has witnessed unbelievable feats of courage as well. In 2019, a team of six men from four different countries crossed the Passage on a 9-metre (29-foot) rowboat. This incredible journey took 12 days, and the men fought gruelling conditions to row 24 hours a day, working 90-minute rotations. 

Experience the Drake Passage with Secret Atlas

Even today, the Drake Passage remains more than just a body of water — it's a stretch of ocean that tests and transforms. Whether you cross it by ship or skip it entirely by air, the journey to Antarctica is not just about distance, but about the shift in perspective that comes with reaching the world's most remote continent.

For those who sail, there's a certain romance to the traditional crossing. As the wind calms and the first iceberg appears on the horizon, you know the real voyage is about to begin. For those who fly with our Expedition Micro Cruise, that same moment arrives differently — watching the ice appear below you through the aircraft window, then stepping directly onto Antarctic shores within hours of leaving Patagonia.

Both paths lead to the same extraordinary destination. The difference is how you want to spend your time getting there — and how many days you'll have once you've arrived.