Now that fly-fly or cruise-fly options for crossing the Drake are a more frequent option, I wondered if anyone had experiences or thoughts regarding one versus the other. My first thought was fly and save the time for the continent, but I've seen a couple of horror stories about canceled flights into/out of King George due to weather...when cruising the Drake (though time consuming) kept things on schedule. Thoughts?
We've just got back from Antarctica & South Georgia. We heard a lot of scary things about the Drake Passage too but it turned out to be fine. It was fairly rough with rolling waves but the majority of passengers actually enjoyed the fun. A few did get sea sick but I think it was only a few. If you go with a good operator, I would sail as the presentations they give are very worthwhile. We went with Quark and loved every minute.
I've done both, crossed the Drake in a sailboat though which is a bit rougher than a cruise (and a LOT less to do!). We spent 5 days each way on the Drake - the way there was very stormy and the trip back was a bit of a drag - just boring tbh. We had nine people including crew, and only two escaped seasickness (I was one of the lucky) - but, again, it's different on larger ships.
Sail-fly to me is an optimal combo: the Drake is great to do at least once for the experience, and on the way back you save a lot of time (although, again, cruise ships tend to get through faster, at least vis a vis our sailboat!).
Sailing the Drake...that's Shackleton-level stuff! Thanks for your thoughts on the trip. I think I will plan for the sail-fly option.
The Drake is a great experience for me. I’m not prone to sea sickness however I used a patch for any crossing on my trip. Got very rough during the last 8 hours before hitting the Beagle Channel. It’s a matter of luck either way. The drake can be rough but if you fly you could be delayed days due to weather .
The Drake is a great experience for me. I’m not prone to sea sickness however I used a patch for any crossing on my trip. Got very rough during the last 8 hours before hitting the Beagle Channel. It’s a matter of luck either way. The drake can be rough but if you fly you could be delayed days due to weather .
There was an aurora trip cancelled last month as they couldn't get the outbound flight out in three days. The ship waiting in King George Island sailed back.
Rare but happens.
We sailed out, flew back. I think that is the way to do it - not because of the rough seas but the two days to get there lets you get into the swing of things and they get you ready for the adventure.
Sailing back would be two days of missing Antarctica.
So sail out, fly back I say.
