Chapter VI

The Drake Passage

9 entriesRevised 1 Jun 2026

A wandering albatross gliding low over the Southern Ocean on long narrow wings

Drake Passage Wildlife: Albatrosses, Petrels and WhalesA field guide to Drake Passage wildlife: the albatrosses, petrels, storm-petrels, whales and dolphins that make the crossing one of Antarctica's great shows.15 min · Revised Jun 2026

Spray bursting over the bow of a ship pushing into a head sea

Why Is the Drake Passage So Rough? The Ocean ScienceWhy is the Drake Passage so rough? The ocean science behind the legend: the Circumpolar Current, the roaring winds, unlimited fetch and the funnelling passage.15 min · Revised Jun 2026