The Drake Passage: what to expect.
Don't fear it. It always passes. Here's what you need to know before crossing it — including the cabin tip nobody tells you.
The Drake has only two states, as expedition sailors describe them: the "Drake Shake" or the "Drake Lake" — the second one is fairly rare. You can face swells up to 15 meters and winds up to 160 km/h. But once you reach the sheltered waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, the effects fade fast.
By Matias Puga · 20 years organizing expeditions to the white continent · Updated August 2026
600 nautical miles of open ocean.
Each way — there and back.
In the "Drake Shake."
The "Drake Lake" is rare.
What is the Drake Passage?
It's the body of water separating Cape Horn from the South Shetland Islands — about 1,000 km of open ocean where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Ocean meet. At 600 nautical miles, it's the stormiest ocean crossing on the planet: the Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows west to east with no landmass to interrupt it, pushing roughly 600 times the volume of water in the Amazon River through this bottleneck. The crossing takes about 48 hours each way.
Will I get seasick crossing the Drake Passage?
Anyone can get seasick, no exceptions — even the captain, who sleeps in the highest part of the ship and feels the motion more intensely because of it. The ship can roll up to 30 degrees from side to side. There's no way to predict in advance how you'll react: some people hole up in their cabin for the full 2 days, others prefer the common areas, and some barely feel a thing. What matters is showing up prepared, not trying to predict it.
What medication works best against seasickness?
The most effective is scopolamine in a transdermal patch: applied behind the ear 4 hours before departure, it lasts 3 days releasing the drug gradually, and is unlikely to cause drowsiness. Oral alternatives include Dramamine (meclizine hydrochloride, lasts 24 hours) and Phenergan (promethazine, more sedating, lasts 12 hours). The ReliefBand Voyager — an FDA-cleared electronic wristband — is a good complementary option, or for those who'd rather avoid medication altogether. Always talk to your doctor before the trip and bring your own supply: ships have an onboard clinic but can't guarantee a specific brand.
| Option | Format | When to take it | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scopolamine | Transdermal patch | 4 hours before departure | 3 days |
| Dramamine (meclizine 25mg) | Oral | Up to 1 hour before | 24 hours |
| Phenergan (promethazine 25mg) | Oral, more sedating | 1 hour before | 12 hours |
| ReliefBand Voyager | Electronic wristband (FDA-cleared) | Before symptoms start | Continuous |
| Ginger | Supplement, tea, or candy | As support | — |
Ships have a doctor and clinic onboard, but can't guarantee a specific brand. Bring your own from home, and check with your doctor before the trip.
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Practical tips during the crossing
- The day before the crossing: eat light, skip alcohol and greasy food.
- When you set sail, take advantage of the calm Beagle Channel to get some fresh air.
- If you feel seasick, lie down with a pillow that keeps your head still.
- On deck, look at the horizon and hold a solid railing.
- Stay hydrated. Closing your eyes helps, so does ginger.
- Most important: remember the Drake always ends. Always.
Which cabin should I pick to feel the Drake less?
The cheapest one, not the priciest. On expedition ships, the budget cabins sit lower and closer to the ship's axis of roll — and by basic physics, the closer to the axis, the less motion you feel. The expensive cabins are higher up, with better views, but that's exactly where the rolling is most noticeable. The real difference between a 6,000 USD cabin and a 12,000 USD one is mostly the view from the window, not the comfort during the crossing.
This one saves money and goes completely against intuition: if seasickness worries you, the cheapest cabin can be the most comfortable one for the Drake — the suites facing the horizon come with a healthy dose of rolling. And remember that during the expedition you'll spend most of your time on deck, in the common areas, or on landings, not shut in your cabin. More on choosing a ship and cabin: how to choose a ship.
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