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Home to a diverse assortment of wildlife—Weddell and elephant seals, Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins—King George Island also has a human presence. Researchers from a wide range of countries, including the US, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, call the various stations home. Your flight will land at the Chilean research station where the ship will be waiting offshore.
What is the best way to experience the Drake Passage?
It's frequent storms and icy conditions were an even greater hazard for the ships of the time, but still unnerve modern travelers. The Drake Passage is named after Sir Francis Drake, the famous British explorer who sailed through the area in the late 16th century. However, the waters were known for their treacherous nature long before Drake's voyage, and the passage was feared by sailors for centuries due to its unpredictable weather, rough seas, and strong currents.
Safety Measures and Ship Stability
‘Like going to the moon’: The world’s most terrifying ocean crossing - CNN
‘Like going to the moon’: The world’s most terrifying ocean crossing.
Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Of course, that may not be the worst thing if you're feeling the effects from the motion. You should also know that the patches can cause blurred vision or dry mouth and dry nose, so you must decide if the benefits outweigh the side effects. Even if you're not prone to seasickness, you should take a few preventative measures for crossing the Drake Passage. It's possible that you could have the Drake Lake at one moment and the Drake Shake an hour later, so it's best to come prepared for your crossing. It's also helpful to take the advice of crew members who sail this route almost every week from late October or early November until March. As you probably know by now, the weather in the Drake Passage is unstable and can quickly change, almost without warning.
Wildlife and Natural Wonders of the Drake Passage
Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation. Travel with a diverse team of experts aboard 148-guest National Geographic Explorer, the definitive expedition ship. Watch for whales off the bow; Zodiac cruise around enormous icebergs; and hike, kayak, and even possibly cross-country ski in complete tranquility. Choose an active agenda or surrender to the pleasures of relaxing downtime and shipboard camaraderie. Plus, get top shots with the help of a National Geographic Photography Expert.
At times ferocious, at others flat calm, this legendary 500-mile-wide strait divides South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Feel the excitement build as you begin the crossing, often accompanied by seabirds like the wandering albatross and—if luck allows—a pod of killer whales or rare dolphins. You’ll get to know ice up close and personal—from icebergs the size of islands, bergy bits and near-vertical glaciers, to the fragile, nearly invisible layers that have just begun to freeze. One day, you might set out by kayak to encounter towering icebergs at water level; embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of seals and blue-eyed shags; or walk amid thousands of Adélie and gentoo penguins.
About Drake Passage Cruise
A cruise through the Drake Passage is more than a passage from one continent to another; it’s a journey through a world of natural wonders. Given its ecological significance, the Drake Passage is subject to various international conservation efforts and regulations. These include measures to protect marine life, prevent pollution, and regulate fishing activities. The Drake Passage is infamous for the ‘Drake Shake,’ a term used to describe its rough seas. Ships are designed to handle these conditions, and stabilizers are often used to minimize rolling.
How long does a typical Drake Passage cruise last?
Sleeping also passes the time and gets you closer to Antarctica – or back to the Beagle Channel on the return trip, where the waters will be much calmer. The worst feeling is knowing that there's nowhere you can go to avoid the rocking, rolling, and constant motion. All you can do is stay calm, keep your mind otherwise occupied, take seasickness precautions (as mentioned below), and settle in for the ride. And always remember – embrace the journey as part of the experience of traveling to Antarctica.
Our Drake Passage trips
One of the highlights of cruising through the Drake Passage is the opportunity to participate in shore excursions. These landings, typically on the Antarctic Peninsula or nearby islands, allow passengers to step onto the continent, observe wildlife up close, and visit research stations. Life on a cruise ship navigating the Drake Passage is a blend of comfort, adventure, and education. Modern cruise ships offer a variety of amenities, including comfortable cabins, dining options, and recreational facilities. Navigating the Drake Passage is more than a physical journey; it’s a rite of passage for many travelers.
Terrifying footage captures moment 95ft waves submerge cruise ship traveling through Drake Passage - UNILAD
Terrifying footage captures moment 95ft waves submerge cruise ship traveling through Drake Passage.
Posted: Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Interacting with Expedition Staff and Experts
A group charter flight between King George Island and Puerto Natales, Chile is required on this trip’s itinerary; see this trip’s Exclusions. There is a strict luggage limit of one or two checked bags weighing up to 51 lbs (23 kg) combined, and one carry-on bag weighing up to 17 lbs (7 kg) plus a personal item that can be stowed under the seat. Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Skilled staff members trained with National Geographic Education organize activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts, Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options. Group charter flights between Puerto Natales, Chile and King George Island are required on this trip’s itinerary; see this trip’s Exclusions.
It's best to avoid heavy, fatty, or spicy foods unless your gut is OK, then go for it. You can also try ginger candies, gum, tea, or even foods made with ginger to settle your tummy. Medications like Dramamine, Bonine and the Scopolamine transdermal patches (that sit behind your ear) are also effective in reducing motion sickness and seasickness. The patches typically last several days, but you need to apply them about four hours before you set sail.
Lake says she and the other influencers on the voyage regularly "cheer each other on," and each have something unique they bring to the table in terms of the content they're sharing on social media. We were able to get fairly close to a humpback mother and her calf and watched them move through the bay and feeding while breeching several times during their dives. Our groups swapped activities, with two groups going ashore to visit a chinstrap penguin colony (we also saw a lot of gentoo penguins) while the other two groups were on Zodiac rides around the bay.
The same TikToker then proceeded to say that, as someone who worked on a cruise ship, they’d never want to go through that passage, considering its bad reputation and how rough its waters can get. They then begged passengers of the Ultimate World Cruise to take seasick medication, claiming that the passage might get really rough in the near future. Depending on the voyage, you could very well travel on Quark Expeditions' new polar vessel, Ultramarine. Aboard the ship, you'll have access to a wide array of amenities to make the experience more fulfilling. These include amenities such as a sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the polar landscape, a panoramic theater, and even the Tundra spa.
It represents an adventure into one of the planet’s most remote and challenging environments, a journey that tests the resolve and rewards the spirit of those who traverse its waters. The area is notorious for having some of the most formidable sea conditions globally, including high winds and towering waves. Navigating these waters requires experienced captains, well-equipped vessels, and advanced navigational technology. Throughout the year, the weather remains cold, with average temperatures ranging from 1°C to 8°C (34°F to 46°F). The summer months (December to February) offer slightly milder conditions, making it a preferred time for cruising. However, the passage is unpredictable, and sudden weather changes can occur, bringing gales and rough seas.
The increasing popularity of Antarctic cruises has brought a new wave of travelers eager to experience the passage’s wild beauty and historical significance. While you can experience horrible weather conditions and rough waters anytime, summer is considered the best time to cross through the Drake Passage. This is because the weather is usually calmer and doesn't produce as many storms as in spring or autumn. Hurricane Atmospheric low-pressure systems (or cyclones) also come in from the Pacific Ocean and move west to east over the southern edge of the passage.
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