What it’s actually 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 infamous repute of being the roughest seas on the planet.
For hundreds of years sailors would enterprise in trepidation by way of the stormy passage, pushing their ships and expertise to the restrict.
However is crossing the Drake Passage actually as unhealthy as it sounds in at present’s local weather?
Watch our vlog episode about crossing the Drake Passage
Yearly the hundreds of vacationers that make the passage from South America to Antarctica on expedition and cruise ships are rewarded with probably the most unimaginable adventures on this planet – a go to to the ‘White Continent’.
For some individuals the concept of spending two days at sea in doubtlessly tough circumstances is sufficient to deter them from making their journey to Antarctica. Based mostly on our personal private expertise, this worry is unwarranted.
Try our complete listing of probably the most epic issues to do in Antarctica!
We crossed from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula on a Russian analysis vessel in 2017, and skilled ‘Beaufort 9’ winds (on a scale that goes to 12). Regardless of the shaky passage we felt utterly protected, even when we did get a bit movement illness.
Since we now have returned from Antarctica we now have been requested dozens of occasions, “What’s it like crossing the Drake’s Passage?” The brief reply: Not as unhealthy as you suppose.
Immediately the crossing is much much less treacherous in comparison with the early days of exploration, due to superior ship development and trendy satellite tv for pc and climate monitoring applied sciences.
It is very important keep in mind that the fearful repute that the Drake Passage has primarily stems from the harmful crossings that sailors made in wood ships, with out assistance from GPS and climate forecasts.
Sure, the seas will be tough. And sure, some individuals get sea sick. However no, it isn’t scary or harmful anymore.
After our very profitable tour to Antarctica this season, we’re going to be working one other unique journey all the way down to the Peninsula in 2025, this time crossing the Antarctic Circle! Try the tour web page in the event you’d prefer to be taught extra.
Historical past of the Drake Passage
The historical past of exploration within the Drake Passage goes again practically 500 years.
This stretch of sea is the place the Southern Ocean surges by way of an 800km-wide hole between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, making a generally turbulent setting.
The Drake Passage is also called the Mar de Hoces (Sea of Hoces) in Spanish. The English title was named after the British explorer Francis Drake, whose ship was blown south of the Magellan Strait on the backside of South America in 1578.
It wasn’t till 1616 that the primary documented crossing of the Drake Passage was made, when the Dutch vessel Eendracht rounded what later turned referred to as Cape Horn.
Since then the Drake Passage has change into notorious with sailors as dwelling to a few of the roughest seas on the planet, and a badge of honour to be worn for those who have crossed it.
Because the narrowest passage connecting Antarctica with the remainder of the world (on this case South America), it’s the main route taken by vacationer expeditions to go to the southern continent.
Try our final vacation spot information all about journey to Antarctica!
Crossing The Drake Passage With One Ocean Expeditions
We crossed the Drake Passage on the Akademik Ioffe, a Russian analysis vessel operated by the polar area tour consultants, One Ocean Expeditions*.
This ship, together with its sister-ship the Akademik Sergey Vavilov, have been in-built 1989 and 1988 respectively in Finland and have been constructed to be probably the most succesful polar exploration vessels which have ever sailed the seas.
Armed with an inside water-ballasted stabilisation system and an ice-strengthened hull, below the command of an skilled captain and crew with hundreds of hours at sea, we knew that we might be completely protected on our journey.
This wasn’t a cruise ship that you just would possibly discover within the Mediterranean or the Caribbean – this was a vessel designed to beat something that the ocean might throw at it, whereas conducting vital scientific analysis.
If have been to place our belief in any ship for crossing the Drake Passage, this was the one.
NOTE – One Ocean Expeditions have now entered administration, and are now not working journeys. Please electronic mail us for our suggestion and a particular deal for the present high expedition firm for Antarctica.
Learn to journey to Antarctica responsibly in our final information.
Leaving Ushuaia
After a number of days in Ushuaia we have been scheduled to start out our Antarctic journey on February twenty fifth. We met the crew and fellow passengers in a trendy resort for check-in then headed to the port to embarkation.
We have been taken to our rooms, had an in depth security briefing and proven easy methods to use the life boats and life jackets (within the extraordinarily uncommon circumstance that we might really need them). All 67 passengers felt excited and fully-prepared for the journey south.
As luck would have it a storm had fashioned over the Drake Passage throughout the day, and the captain made the choice to delay our departure to be able to keep away from the worst of it. Already the consolation of the passengers was being put as a precedence.
We left port at 10pm, and once we woke within the morning we have been formally within the Drake Passage.
The Drake Shake
The solar rose and the ship got here to life. The seas have been rolling but regular, and spirits have been excessive amongst the passengers.
Over breakfast Boris Clever, our skilled expedition chief, warned that the seas forward have been trying tough, however that this ship and the captain had made way more intense crossings numerous occasions. With Boris’s assured outlook all of the passengers felt way more comfy.
Personally we have been excited to expertise what is usually referred to as the “Drake Shake“.
Many of the group had come totally ready for the voyage, loaded up with an enormous quantity of seasickness medicine corresponding to Dramamine and Benadryl.
Each journey has an skilled physician onboard. For us it was Dr Mike, and he was always available to manage any stronger medicine if wanted, and monitor how everybody was feeling.
Simply earlier than lunch Alesha and I began to really feel a bit sick, and Dr Mike gave us some tablets to shortly ease the nausea, then some robust patches to be put behind the ear that might remove any seasickness for 3 days. They labored a deal with, and inside an hour we have been up and working across the ship once more.
The winds picked up and shortly the Akademik Ioffe was swaying with the swell. The crew locked the doorways to the skin decks to verify nobody wandered exterior whereas the seas have been rising.
On the higher deck the captain and officers had opened the bridge, giving everybody entry to spectacular views over the stormy seas and distant horizon. Every now and then a wave would break over the bow, making a dramatic scene that almost all people wished to {photograph}.
This was additionally the one place to get contemporary air whereas the storm doorways have been closed (except you opened the porthole window in your room), so the passengers fortunately congregated on the bridge watching the helmsman expertly information the ship by way of the waves.
Whereas it did get progressively rougher all through the day and night time, by then all people onboard had taken their medicine and most have been feeling effective.
The Drake Shake rocked us as we motored in direction of Antarctica, however even with the Beaufort 9 winds and rising swell, the temper on the ship was optimistic and excited.
We chatted to most of the friends on the ship who have been initially apprehensive about this crossing, and all of them admitted that it wasn’t as unhealthy as they imagined (regardless of feeling unwell for a short while).
Even the One Ocean Expeditions crew admitted the seas have been tough, which really made us all really feel loads braver for charging by way of the Drake Shake and not using a care on the planet.
What To Do Throughout The Crossing
Two days at sea goes by surprisingly fast onboard the Akademik Ioffe. Hearty and scrumptious meals are served all through the day, and there’s ample time to learn up on Antarctic historical past within the well-stocked library.
These feeling lively can hit the fitness center or sauna, or in the event you’d somewhat chill out the lounge is at all times open with a collection of natural teas and occasional to get pleasure from.
Some individuals merely chilled of their rooms, however by far the most well-liked factor to do whereas crossing the Drake Passage is to attend the displays.
One Ocean Expeditions employs various world-class specialists to higher improve the onboard expertise, corresponding to polar historians, ornithologists, whale consultants and even an expert photographer.
These consultants give common displays to teach passengers on the setting, wildlife and historical past of Antarctica. Every session lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, and are extraordinarily rewarding. We truthfully felt our Antarctica expedition was vastly enriched by these displays.
Within the evenings Completely satisfied Hour would start, and most of the people headed to the lounge for an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverage to ease into dinner.
Arriving In Antarctica
This was the second we have been all ready for, and after two days of crusing we arrived within the Antarctic Peninsula.
As soon as we had charged by way of the storm the captain regulated the ship’s pace to make sure we might arrive at dawn. We set our alarms for 4:30am and awoke with the sky beginning to flip orange.
Within the distance have been the mountains of Antarctica, and big icebergs floated previous in majestic silence. As we had now arrived within the archipelago the seas have been utterly calm, and all people congregated on the decks to witness a scene we’ll always remember…
Movement illness, pointless fears and tough seas will at all times be value beating to be able to catch sight of your first Antarctic dawn.
Need an epic journey now that you just’ve arrived? Positively attempt kayaking in Antarctica!
The Drake Lake
The primary two days have been really the final time we might expertise tough seas. The waters of the Antarctic Peninsula are utterly protected, so there’s no rocking motion in any respect. Seasickness was only a distant reminiscence.
On the voyage again we really had what is named the “Drake Lake”. For your entire crossing, we had no wind and calm seas. The title matched the setting completely.
Since we now have returned we now have found that the “Drake Lake” phenomena is definitely extra frequent than we first thought. We now have met lots of people who’ve made their very own Antarctic expeditions and had calm climate your entire time.
We’re glad we acquired to see a glimpse of what the Drake Passage can do, however having no swell or wind on the best way again was an exquisite reward.
Suggestions For Crossing The Drake Passage
The repute of how tough the Drake Passage will be sufficient to scare potential travellers from making the crossing to Antarctica. We’re right here to inform you to not fear, because it’s not as unhealthy because the repute makes it out to be.
Nonetheless, there are a number of ideas that we want to give to assist your journey throughout the Drake Passage go as easily as attainable.
- Convey numerous seasickness medicine with you. Even in the event you’ve had expertise on lengthy ocean crossings, there’s at all times an opportunity you possibly can really feel the consequences of movement illness. Take preventative therapy corresponding to Dramamine and Benadryl.
- Drink numerous water. It’s vital to remain hydrated, particularly if you’re sick.
- Discuss to the physician. One Ocean Expeditions at all times has a certified and skilled physician onboard and they’re going to have stronger medicine than you should buy over-the-counter in a pharmacy. Our physician even had injections to cease vomiting in extreme circumstances, though this was not wanted by any of the friends.
- Lay down. Being horizontal is among the greatest methods to alleviate the sentiments of movement illness.
- Eat meals. Though you’re feeling sick consuming can really assist. For those who can’t make it to breakfast, lunch or dinner don’t fear – the crew make common rounds of the cabins to verify everyone seems to be feeling okay, and in the event you can’t rise up they’ll carry you meals (or crackers on the very least if that’s all you’re feeling like).
- Attend as most of the displays as attainable. They may assist go the time and supply a significantly better expertise in your expedition.
- Don’t be scared. If the seas are too wild the captain will both postpone the journey or take an extended path to minimise rock. However in the event you’re with crusing One Ocean Expeditions and their fleet of Russian analysis vessels, you’ll be within the most secure arms attainable.
[box] Our journey to Antarctica was completed in partnership with One Ocean Expeditions. All ideas, opinions and hours spent staring out on the Drake Passage are, as at all times, our personal.[/box]
