The Drake Passage (Tierra del Fuego to Antarctica) is widely considered the roughest, featuring massive swells and high winds. Other infamously turbulent routes include the Cook Strait in New Zealand, the North Sea between Shetland and Norway, and the Bay of Biscay.
As a result, ferry sailings are often disrupted and Cook Strait is regarded as one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world. In 1962 the first ferry service to allow railway carriages, cars and trucks began with GMV Aramoana. In 1994 the first fast-ferry service began operation across Cook Strait.
The North Sea is infamous for its savagery. The high risk ships have of becoming wrecked here has a lot to do with the insane weather conditions between Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, and Western Norway.
The Drake Passage is so infamously rough from the fact that currents at this latitude meet no resistance from any landmass, anywhere on the planet. Coupled with the area's propensity for high wind, a crossing of the Drake Passage can be quite the adventurous exploit.
Generally, travelling by ferry is usually considered one of the safest ways to travel. Ferry disasters are very rare, even if the more prominent ones are very memorable. Most ferry accidents are caused by unsuitable weather, overcrowding, and poor vessel maintenance.
Dover to Calais ferry in very rough seas; high waves and big swell!
Will ferries sail in strong winds?
If wind speeds or gusts are too high, we may need to cancel a sailing for safety reasons. In other cases, we may delay departure and wait at the port until wind conditions improve.
MS Herald of Free Enterprise was a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry which capsized moments after leaving the Belgian port of Zeebrugge on the night of 6 March 1987, killing 193 passengers and crew.
The Drake passage is known to be one of the most dangerous crossings in the world. Pressure changes, unimpeded winds, and ocean currents make for exceptionally chaotic seas, but the deadly conditions here and everything that creates them also plays a vital role in protecting our planet.
Issues: Ocean crossings always encounter the roughest waters because there are no nearby landmasses to provide shelter. Avoid: The winter months are the most intense, with transatlantic cruises hitting very rough seas from November through February and Pacific cruises from February through April.
The Malacca Strait and South China Sea are among the most pirate-infested waters in the world, posing significant risks to maritime trade and crew safety. Piracy attacks have become more violent and sophisticated, targeting high-value cargo such as oil tankers.
There isn't one single "roughest" city, as rankings vary by data source and crime type, but Blackpool, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Bradford, and London boroughs like Westminster consistently appear high for overall crime or violent crime rates per capita in recent data (2024-2025), with issues like theft, assault, and antisocial behavior prevalent. Other cities frequently cited include Coventry, Liverpool, and Nottingham, often due to specific issues like knife crime or violent offenses.
MS Estonia, a cruiseferry operated by Estline, sank on Wednesday, 28 September 1994, between about 00:50 and 01:50 (UTC+2) as the ship was crossing the Baltic Sea, en route from Tallinn, Estonia, to Stockholm, Sweden.
Unlike flying, there are no anxiety-inducing take-offs, turbulence or that feeling of confinement. Instead, ferry crossings are designed to make you feel calm, with space to get up and have a wander and amenities to keep you entertained.
🌊 The North Sea isn't just an ocean — it's one of the most unpredictable and powerful waters on Earth. Located between the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, the North Sea is famous for its sudden storms, fierce winds, towering waves and extreme winter conditions.
2 ft swells in 2 seconds is very uncomfortable. 4 foot swells on 20 seconds is almost undetectable. A good rule of thumb up to 8 feet height is that the interval should be at least 2x the height. If you see a small craft advisory, do not go out.
You should generally avoid August through October for Caribbean cruises due to peak hurricane season, and November through February for rougher transatlantic/Pacific crossings, though winter can offer deals; also steer clear of major holidays (Christmas, Spring Break, etc.) for fewer crowds and lower prices, as well as July for peak summer crowds/cost, depending on your priorities.
Choose Smaller Seas: Seas like the Sea of Cortez offer less chance for large waves to build compared to the open Pacific. Consider the Season: Winter generally brings calmer seas in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, while summer is best for the Baltic and parts of the Med.
The Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean have distinct characteristics the amount of salt, the speed of currents, and even how much sediment they carry. This creates an invisible boundary called a "halocline", where the two oceans resist mixing.
Summary: 2025 is a transformative year for ocean governance, marked by three landmark events: the UN BBNJ Convention entering into force, new WTO fisheries subsidies regulations taking effect, and the adoption of a historic political declaration at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
On March 6, 1987, the roll-on/roll-off ferry Herald of Free Enterprise departed Zeebrugge for Dover with 459 passengers, 80 crew, and 131 vehicles. Just five minutes after departure, she capsized and sank in shallow water.
Only vehicles equipped with lashing points are allowed to be transported. This principle applies not only to vehicles transporting dangerous goods. It is recommended to secure loads regardless of the weather to ensure the optimal safety of transport on the ferry.
