Conquering the Drake Passage: What to Expect, When to Go, and How to Prepare
What Is the Drake Passage?
The Drake Passage is where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans converge — funneled through the narrowest gap between South America and Antarctica. With no significant landmass to slow it down, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (the strongest on Earth) flows uninterrupted, creating conditions that range from flat calm to ferocious. Known for its moody temperament and open-ocean swells, this 800 km stretch between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands is often the first true test of your expedition spirit.
But is it always rough? When is the best time to go? And what can you actually expect out there?
Let’s dive in.
When Is the Best Time to Cross the Drake Passage?
The Antarctic summer (December–February) offers the most stable and predictable conditions:
Monthly Conditions Summary
November Early season – colder, more ice, and rougher seas
December Generally calm, lowest swell averages
January Peak summer – warmest, good crossing windows
FebruaryStill manageable but slightly more active seas
MarchWeather becomes more changeable; swell increases
April and beyond Not advisable – most ships cease operations
Average Swell in the Drake Passage (Summer Season)
Metric Summer Average
(Dec–Feb)
Significant Wave Height 2.5 – 4.5 meters (8–15 feet)
Occasional Peak Swells 5 – 6+ meters (16–20 feet)
Calm Days ("Drake Lake") 1.5 – 2.5 meters (5–8 feet)
Wave Period 8 – 12 seconds (long-rolling)
Note: “Significant wave height” is the average of the highest third of waves. That means occasional waves can be 50% taller than the average — especially during storms.
Drake Lake or Drake Shake?
It's a phrase you'll hear often in expedition circles. The “Drake Lake” is the rare but magical crossing where the sea feels almost glassy. The “Drake Shake”, however, is what it's famous for — a full-body ocean rollercoaster with swells that can roll furniture if you're not careful.
Factors that influence conditions:
Time of year (summer is milder)
Storm systems moving through the Southern Ocean
Wind direction (westerlies often hit bow-on during northbound crossings)
Ice melt and current interactions
Most expedition ships now carry advanced weather routing and stabilizers, and seasoned crews time crossings to avoid the worst of it.
A World-First for the Drake: Introducing See-LEVEL Headsets on RMS St Helena
If you're sailing aboard the RMS St Helena, you're part of a world-first innovation in expedition travel. Terra Nova Expeditions is the first cruise operator to offer guests access to See-LEVEL headsets — wearable technology developed by Motion Research Ltd that doesn't just entertain — it helps eliminate seasickness.
While traditional virtual reality (VR) often causes motion sickness — think rollercoaster simulators where your eyes move but your body doesn't — See-LEVEL flips the concept. By using VR on a moving ship, where your body moves but the environment appears stable, the technology works with your brain instead of against it.
Clinical results have shown that this reverse approach eliminates motion sickness symptoms in as little as 12 minutes, making even the roughest Drake Passage crossings more comfortable. It's not just innovation — it’s revolutionizing how we experience the polar regions.
Final Thoughts
Crossing the Drake Passage is part of what makes an Antarctic voyage so unforgettable. Whether it's calm or chaotic, it humbles and energizes. And with the right ship, crew, and mindset — it's not just a hurdle to Antarctica; it's the beginning of the adventure itself.
Pro tip: Choose your ship wisely. All ships are not created equal. With her powerful bow, the British built St Helena was built for some of the harshest oceans on the planet - The South Atlantic is her home. Whilst many ships are built for the ice and comfort are not neccesarily suited for the conditions of the southern ocean. Balconies cannot be accessed during crossings, and on some vessels their proximity to the water line presents other issues. Choose wisely!
