The daunting Drake Passage, stretching 600 miles of treacherous open sea, boasts some of the harshest conditions on the globe; at its end lies the unforgiving expanse of snow and ice.
Linking the southernmost tip of South America to the northern fringe of the Antarctic Peninsula, the passage was once the domain of hardened explorers and sailors.
It’s named after Sir Francis Drake, who is thought to have been the first to pass through the Magellan Strait and into the Pacific Ocean in 1578.
Now, it serves as an awe-inspiring barrier for a growing number of thrill-seeking tourists on their way to Antarctica – with the up to 48-hour crossing being part of the adventure.
Bragging rights for surviving the notorious “Drake shake” is all part of the appeal for many venturing to the icy wilderness known as The White Continent.
“Drake Shake” is the phrase used to describe the often-turbulent conditions encountered whilst navigating through the Drake Passage.
The destination awaiting these tourists, the Antarctic Peninsula, is not even mainland Antarctica. This narrowing landform curves toward the southern extremity of South America, almost bridging the continents.
This convergence results in a powerful funnel effect, as the oceans’ currents are compelled to rush through the narrow gap between two land masses.
Remarkably, this is the only spot on Earth where the mighty winds have the incredible freedom to race across the seas, unobstructed by any landmass, encircling the entire planet.
Landmasses typically slow down winds, which is why Atlantic storms often hit Ireland and the UK before weakening as they move east towards the European continent.
Without any land to hinder their speed at Drake’s latitude, winds can race around the globe, gaining momentum and wreaking havoc on ships.
The average wave height on the Drake is four to five metres, or 13-16 feet. This is still twice as high as what you would typically find in the Atlantic.
The Drake forms part of the world’s largest ocean current, with up to 5,300 million cubic feet flowing per second. Funnelled into the narrow passage, the current intensifies, moving from west to east.
About 75,000 people each year cross the Drake Passage to reach Antarctica by sea.
