Paulet Island | A Volcanic Haven for Antarctic Wildlife

Below the icy wind-swept surface of Antarctica, there lies evidence of fire-belching volcanic activity. As many as 138 volcanoes are sprinkled around the continent, but thankfully, only two of them are active - Deception Island and Mount Erebus.

Among the volcanic cones that protrude from the Antarctic landmass or the waters surrounding it, Paulet Island is a prominent one. However, the unique geography and history of the island are not the only reasons that draw Antarctic cruises towards it. The island is a remarkable showcase of the thriving Antarctic wildlife that has made this barren mass of land their home.

Location and geography

Paulet Island is located on the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula and around 4.5 kilometres from Dundee Island. It is formed out of lava flows when the volcano erupted under the ice sheets. 

The island is roughly circular with a diameter of 1.5 kilometres. The northeast section of the island has a flat terrain which acts as a landing site. But it remains submerged during high tide, restricting the available space for explorers. In early summer, the waters around the island remain dotted with icebergs and ice floes.

Volcanic origins and features

The island’s volcanic cone is well-preserved and rises 353 metres from the ground giving it a striking appearance. The volcano is inactive, but the geothermal heat keeps some portions of the surface ice-free. The last known eruption date remains unknown, though some evidence suggests traces of activity in the last 1000 years.

Wildlife and important bird area

If you want to photograph cold-climate wildlife, then Paulet Island is unlike anything else in Antarctica. That said, setting foot on the island to capture the chattering penguins and seabirds can be tricky - the high swells around it may not allow safe landings.

The biodiversity in Paulet Island is fascinating and it is marked as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The island is a breeding ground for Adélie penguins and during the season the number of breeding pairs can be around 100,000. 

Even though it is not a breeding ground for seals, Weddell seals, leopard seals, and Antarctic fur seals haul out on the island in large numbers. 

Beyond penguins, the island is also a breeding ground for gulls, snowy sheathbill and the blue-eyed shag. It is also suspected that snow petrels and Wilson’s storm petrels breed on the scree slopes of the volcanic cone.

Note, that there are no free roaming zones for visitors on the island. Since the island is densely packed with wildlife during summer, visitors are not allowed to venture beyond the marked walking routes.

For this reason, guided groups on the island are limited to 50 visitors during high tide compared to 100 for most landing sites. At times, landing on the island becomes almost impossible due to the presence of fur seal groups on the beach.

Historical significance

It is not just the geography of the island that draws the guests, but also its fascinating history. A British Expedition between 1839 and 1843, led by James Clark Ross discovered and named the island after Lord George Paulet of the Royal Navy.

In February 1903, the ship Antarctic of a Swedish explorer Otto Nordenskjöld got crushed by ice and the 20-men crew walked across the ice for 40 kilometres to reach Paulet island. 

They built a stone hut on the island to survive the winter, as well as a cairn on the highest point of the island, on the volcanic cone. One of the crew members, Ole Christian Wennersgaar, passed away during the winter

The crew was rescued by the ship SS Uruguay and left behind some supplies on the island. This connects Paulet Island, albeit in a minor way, to Shackleton’s epic journey.

More than a decade later, Ernest Shackleton and his crew tried to reach Paulet Island to get hold of these supplies during their struggle for survival after Endurance sank. However, the current carried them away to Elephant Island.

50 years after the rescue, the Argentine Navy took steps to preserve the hut. Presently, the hut and the grave of the deceased crew member are a part of the Historic Site or Monument (HSM 41) on the island.

Visiting Paulet Island

Paulet Island is an intoxicating mix of adventure and the alluring beauty of Antarctica. The view of a towering volcanic cone with its base densely packed with penguins and seals is an incredible sight that awes explorers.

The Small Ship Expeditions with Secret Atlas offers an intimate opportunity for voyagers and photographers to enjoy the beauty of remote locations in Antarctica. Each of our Antarctic journeys is planned to provide the guests with an authentic experience of the white continent.

While we do our absolute best to land at as many sites as possible, Paulet Island is very difficult and much of the time you can only see the hut and colony from the ship. That said, do not let this turn you away from an incredible experience. 

To experience the transformative power of our Antarctic voyages, get in touch.