Drake Passage, Antarctica Cruises

Drake Passage, Antarctica Cruise Port

Named after English privateer and explorer, Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage is the body of water between mainland South America’s Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica’s Livingston Island. It’s also the sea that officially connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The passage is over 500 miles long and along with the Magellan Strait and the Beagle Channel, it’s one of the few sea ways around South America. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current carries an obscene amount of water through Drake Passage and around Antarctic, clocking in at over 600 times the volume of water flowing through the Amazon River. However, despite the volume and size, it’s still the shortest crossing from Antarctica to any other landmass. The other two passages are much narrower and far windier, making Drake the ideal crossing for larger cruise ships. It’s also one of the best ways to enjoy wildlife specific to the southernmost continent.

• If unique wildlife is what you’re looking for, pay special attention for groups of whales, dolphins, penguins, and rare seabirds.
   
• Adventure seekers adore the Drake Passage because of its reputation as one of the roughest passages of water in the world. And while it’s not exactly death-defying, rough seas are indeed common.
   
• The unique seabirds to this area include, but are not limited to, giant petrels, albatrosses, and penguins. One daring bird in particular is known as the light-mantled sooty albatross.
   
• While the ice is thinner and more passable than along the other passages, don’t be surprised to see some beautiful icebergs and glacial formations along the way.