crossingorflyingthedrake

Between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula lies roughly 800 kilometres of the most notorious water on Earth. The Drake Passage is where the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans meet with nothing to slow them down. How you cross it — by ship or by plane — is one of the first and most personal decisions you'll make.

The case for sailing

Crossing the Drake by sea is the traditional way to reach Antarctica, and for many travellers it is part of the point.

You earn the arrival

Two days south from Ushuaia, the world changes slowly. The water cools, the first wandering albatross glides past the stern, and then, one morning, an iceberg appears. Arriving this way gives Antarctica a weight and a sense of distance that a flight can't quite replicate.

It's usually better value

Sailing voyages offer the most departures, the widest choice of ships and generally lower prices per day. If budget matters, this is where it goes furthest.

The sea days are not wasted

Expedition teams use the crossing for lectures on wildlife, glaciology and history, as well as mandatory briefings and biosecurity checks. Many guests find the time on the bridge or on deck with binoculars among the most memorable parts of the trip.

The case for flying

Fly-cruise voyages depart from Punta Arenas in Chile and fly to King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, where you board the ship.

Time is precious

Flying saves around four days of sailing over a round trip. A week-long fly-cruise can deliver nearly as many days in Antarctica as a much longer sailing voyage.

Seasickness becomes a smaller worry

If you are genuinely prone to motion sickness, avoiding the Drake can turn an anxious trip into a joyful one. You will still sail among the islands, but conditions there are usually far gentler than on the open passage.

The Drake is unpredictable in both directions: some crossings are mirror-calm, others are a genuine test. Flying removes the gamble, but replaces it with a different one.

The trade-offs nobody puts on the cover

Weather delays

The flight lands on a gravel runway in the South Shetlands, and it only flies when conditions allow. Delays of a day or more are possible at either end. Operators handle this in different ways — some build in buffer days, others adjust the voyage itself. Always verify the delay policy with the partner operator.

Baggage limits

Charter flights often carry strict weight limits for luggage, which affects what camera gear and clothing you can bring. Confirm the allowance before you pack.

Price per day

Fly-cruises typically cost more per day than equivalent sailing voyages, reflecting the cost of chartered flights.

A middle path

Some voyages combine both: sail one way across the Drake and fly the other. You experience the crossing once, save a couple of days, and halve the seasickness risk. These departures are limited but worth asking about.

How to decide

Ask yourself three honest questions:

1. How much time do you have? If it's a week or less, flying is almost certainly the answer.
2. How do you feel about the sea? If the idea of a rough crossing fills you with dread rather than curiosity, fly.
3. What matters more — the journey or the destination? Some travellers want the full arc of the voyage; others want every possible hour among the ice.

There's no right answer, only the right one for you.

Preparing for a crossing

If you do sail, a few habits make a real difference:

• Speak to your doctor about seasickness medication before you travel, and start it before departure if advised.
• Choose a cabin low and near the middle of the ship, where motion is gentlest.
• Spend time on deck with your eyes on the horizon.
• Eat lightly, stay hydrated and rest.

Most people find their sea legs within a day — and the reward waiting on the other side is worth it.

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