Quick Answer: Best Month to Cross the Drake Passage
The best months to cross the Drake Passage are November to March, during the Antarctic summer. However, no specific month guarantees calm seas, as weather conditions in the Drake Passage are highly unpredictable. Travellers may experience either the calm conditions of the ‘Drake Lake’ or the rougher weather of the ‘Drake Shake’ (rough seas) at any point in the season.
Table of contents
- What is the Drake Passage?
- Where is the Drake Passage located?
- What is the Drake Passage weather like?
- Drake Shake vs Drake Lake
- Wildlife you may see crossing the Drake Passage
- What is the best month for crossing the Drake Passage?
- Drake Passage conditions by month: Comparison table
- Is the Drake Passage dangerous?
- How can I prepare for crossing the Drake Passage?
- Recap: Quick tips for the Drake Passage crossing
- Can I avoid the Drake Passage and fly to Antarctica?
- Summary
- Drake Passage: Key Facts
- FAQs About Crossing the Drake Passage
The Drake Passage. A name that is renowned amongst many of the most adventurous globetrotters, and one that even the most experienced of explorers can be apprehensive to consider.
This stretch of sea is one of the most unpredictable bodies of water in the world. But don’t let that frighten you, because the Drake Passage is the gateway to Antarctica, marking the memorable start of your journey in the White Continent.
While it’s possible to skip the sea route and fly direct to Antarctica, those with a taste for adventure should definitely consider tackling the Drake crossing. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget, and one that will leave you feeling victorious as you arrive in Antarctic Peninsula having successfully undergone one of the continent’s true rites of passage
If you’ve made up your mind that you’re ready to take on this sea crossing during your trip to Antarctica, you may be wondering what is the best month to cross the Drake Passage. In this article we’ll answer this all-important question and unpick what makes the Drake Passage such an essential part of an Antarctic adventure.
What is the Drake Passage?
The Drake Passage is a body of water lying between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s named for the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, who rounded South America in 1578, and surmised its existence – though ironically he never actually sailed the Drake Passage itself. In Spanish it’s called the Mar de Hoces after the Spanish sailor Francisco de Hoces, who passed through here 50 years before Drake.
The Drake Passage can offer up some of the most turbulent and fiercest seas in the world, leading to its somewhat notorious reputation among tourists and navigators alike. It typically takes around 48 hours to make the crossing, but thankfully ships have improved considerably since the days of Drake and de Hoces, so even in stormy weather you’ll be in very safe hands.
Where is the Drake Passage located?
The Drake Passage lies between South America’s southernmost tip at Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands just north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
While the Southern Ocean swirls in an unbroken circle around Antarctica, with strong winds building up massive waves, between South America and the tip of the Peninsula it’s forced to funnel through this narrow 600 mile (965 km) strait. This bottleneck is relatively shallow as well as narrow, which makes the easterly currents through the Drake Passage particularly strong.
What is the Drake Passage weather like?
This specific geography is what lends the Drake Passage its slightly forbidding reputation. It can be one of the roughest sea crossings on the planet but it is also unpredictable: as many people experience a smooth Drake crossing as a lively one.
Temperatures in the Drake Passage typically hover just above or below freezing, with the mercury dropping the closer you get to Antarctica. There can be piercing winds that whip across the passage, as you cross the ‘furious fifties’ into the ‘screaming sixties’ degrees of latitude on your journey south.
Part of the reason for the temperature drop is that while crossing Drake Passage you also cross the Convergence, also known as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, where the cold water of the Southern Ocean meets the relative warmth of the Atlantic Ocean. This fast moving current, along with strong winds, can at times combine to produce Drake passage waves up to 10 metres in height.
Drake Lake vs Drake Shake
Not all travellers to Antarctica crossing the Drake Passage experience uncomfortable conditions, which have been dubbed ‘the Drake Shake’. Most travellers actually have a smooth sailing experience as they make the Drake crossing, with beautifully calm and relaxing conditions. Coined the ‘Drake Lake’, there may be nothing but gentle winds and small swells during the day voyage.
Only around 1 in 5 crossings tend to encounter really big seas – however, you always tend to hear more about these as they make for far more dramatic videos on Instagram or YouTube.
Wildlife you may see crossing the Drake Passage
The Drake Passage also offers some of the best birdwatching you’ll enjoy on your trip. From the moment you depart the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia, will be continuously followed by a parade of albatrosses, petrels, prions and other seabirds. They skip and soar effortlessly on the wind, making your comfortable vessel seem positively ungainly.
There is always a possibility of seeing whales, though you’ll need particularly calm seas to spot them. Icebergs on the other hand are easily seen on the latter stages of the Drake Passage – seeing your first is always an exciting point in any cruise.
What is the best month for crossing the Drake Passage?
The conditions beg the all-important question for Antarctic travellers: when is the best month for crossing the Drake Passage?
The summer months are the best time to visit Antarctica, no matter your plans. The period between November and March is the prime time to explore the White Continent and, as such, to cross the Drake Passage.
But, throughout the summer season, no one month is said to offer considerably more favourable weather conditions or wildlife-watching opportunities when making the Drake crossing. Sadly, it’s impossible to predict what the weather will be like on the Drake Passage. Take comfort that fewer than one in four crossings tend to experience turbulent seas.
Whilst this may not be the answer you were hoping for, there’s not really a ‘perfect’ time to venture across the Drake Passage, this does free you up to choose your Antarctica cruise based on other experiences you want to have whether that’s focused on wildlife-watching or activity-oriented.
Drake Passage Conditions by Month: Comparison Table
| Month | Typical Conditions | Antarctic Highlights |
| November | Early season, colder temperatures | Penguin courtship & nesting |
| December | Longer daylight hours | Penguin chicks at Christmas |
| January | Warmest Antarctic month | Penguin chicks & humpback whales |
| February | Stable weather and peak wildlife | Whale sightings increase |
| March | Fewer ships, stunning sunset | Peak whale watching season |
Key takeaway: The best time to cross the Drake Passage is during the Antarctic summer season, but conditions vary widely regardless of the month.
Is the Drake Passage dangerous?
The Drake Passage has a reputation for rough seas, but it is not considered dangerous for modern expedition ships. The first generation of polar cruise ships certainly gave a lively ride on the Drake Passage, but today’s ships are well-equipped to deal with it. Many modern polar cruise ships have X-Bow designs to help smooth their passage in rough seas, but whichever ship you sail on you can expect:
- Stabilising technology to reduce ship movement
- Advanced weather forecasting to avoid the worst weather systems
- Highly experience captains and ship crew
The technological advancements made by the cruise industry—as well as thorough safety procedures and knowledgeable polar experts onboard vessels—make the sailing as safe as possible.
How can I prepare for crossing the Drake Passage?
As you’ll never be able to predict the conditions on the Drake Passage, it’s all the more important to be prepared for all eventualities. Remember too that you’ll be sailing with an experienced Captain, crew and expedition team, who will guide you through your Drake crossing to make it as comfortable as possible.
There is always the possibility of feeling seasick during your Drake crossing. Even the most experienced sailors can experience this, so there’s no shame in needing some time to find your sea legs. Take time before you travel to research the tablets, wristbands and patches for you, talking to your doctor if needed. The ship will also have an on board doctor who will be able to help during the voyage.
During the Drake crossing it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and eat lightly and regularly during the trip. Some people swear off alcohol entirely during the Drake Passage, though others have found a shot of something strong to have distinct medicinal benefits. Rest is also good: seasickness tablets can cause drowsiness, so if you’re feeling sleepy, one of the best options may be to embrace the power nap to help you get through the trip in as relaxed a manner as possible.
However, just because you’re venturing across the Drake Passage, it doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to experience the worst of its conditions or suffer any symptoms as a result, so don’t let this put you off experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime crossing.
Recap: Quick tips for the Drake Passage crossing
- Bring seasickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness
- Stay hydrated and eat light meals
- Spend time on deck if the weather allows
- Rest when needed during rough seas
- Avoid excessive alcohol
These simple steps can all help make your crossing far more comfortable.
Can I avoid the Drake Passage and fly to Antarctica?
If you’re a nervous sailor worried about their sea legs, or just want to skip the two days at sea in each direction can take a Fly & Cruise trip, which involves a two hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetlands, where you’ll join your cruise ship to explore the Antarctica Peninsula.
Some cruises also offer the choice of flying one way and sailing the other.
Summary
The Drake Passage certainly has a name that precedes it, but a voyage across it is by far the most iconic way to travel to Antarctica. Whilst you can never be sure of what the Drake Crossing will have in store, Antarctica is always a destination of adventure and excitement – so by embracing whatever journey you may face across the Drake Passage, you truly join the ranks of the Antarctic explorers.
Drake Passage: Key Facts
- Location: Between Cape Horn off the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica.
- Width: Around 600 miles (965 km)
- Typical crossing time: About 48 hours
- Ocean current: Antarctic Circumpolar Current
- Possible wave height: Up to 10 metres in stormy weather
- Best season for crossings: November to March
FAQs about crossing the Drake Passage
What is the calmest month to cross the Drake Passage?
There is no guaranteed calm month. The Antarctic travel season runs from November to March, and sea conditions can vary widely during this period.
How long does it take to cross the Drake Passage?
Most expedition ships take about 48 hours to cross the Drake Passage between Ushuaia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Is the Drake Passage always rough?
No. While the Drake Passage has a reputation for large waves (sometimes reaching up to 10 metres), many travellers experience relatively calm conditions known as the “Drake Lake.” Weather patterns in the Southern Ocean change quickly, so conditions can vary on every crossing.
Why do people cross the Drake Passage instead of flying to Antarctica?
Crossing the Drake Passage is considered an important part of the Antarctic expedition experience. Travellers often enjoy the sense of adventure, the wildlife sightings along the way, and the feeling of following the traditional route used by early polar explorers.
Do people get seasick crossing the Drake Passage?
Seasickness can happen during a Drake Passage crossing, particularly if sea conditions are rough. Many travellers take preventative measures such as seasickness tablets, patches, or wristbands before the journey begins.
Is it possible to avoid the Drake Passage and fly to Antarctica?
Yes. Nervous sailors or those who just want to skip the two days at sea in each direction can take a Fly & Cruise trip, which involves a two hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetlands, where you’ll join your cruise ship to explore the Antarctica Peninsula. Some cruises also offer the choice of flying one way and sailing the other.
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This article was first published on 16 April 2025, and was updated 25 March 2026
