Cape Royds
Cape Antarctic cape hosting historic hut from Shackleton expedition
On Ross Island, Cape Royds contains Ernest Shackleton’s hut and an Adélie penguin colony. Expedition cruises land nearby for historic hut tours, close penguin viewing and an introduction to early Antarctic field sites.
Cape Royds is a rocky headland on the west side of Ross Island in Antarctica, notable for its association with early Antarctic exploration and local wildlife colonies. It is the location of a small wooden expedition hut established during early 20th-century exploration.
The principal historical feature is the hut built by Sir Ernest Shackleton during the 1907-09 Nimrod Expedition, which remains on site and is preserved as an Antarctic historic site. Nearby the shore supports a breeding colony of Adélie penguins that is visible from safe viewing distances.
The cape and its features have been subject to conservation measures to protect the historic structure and the penguin colony, with visitor access controlled by national Antarctic program rules and international agreements. Scientific teams and managed tourist landings are the usual types of visits to the site.
Geographically Cape Royds lies on the western flank of Ross Island, facing McMurdo Sound in the Ross Sea sector of Antarctica, with volcanic terrain and proximity to other historic expedition sites.
- Protection: The hut and surrounding area are protected as historic and scientific sites; visits are managed to avoid disturbance to both the structure and local wildlife.
What to See #
- Shackleton's Hut: A small wooden hut built by Sir Ernest Shackleton during the Nimrod Expedition of 1907-09; the structure is preserved as a historic Antarctic expedition base and is managed as a historic site.
- Adélie penguin colony: A resident colony of Adélie penguins nests on the rocky shoreline adjacent to the cape and is often observed by scientific and historic-site visitors.
How to Get to Cape Royds #
Cape Royds is on Ross Island in Antarctica and is reached only as part of organised Antarctic operations. Typical access is by expedition vessel to the Ross Sea (landing by Zodiac when ice permits) or by helicopter from McMurdo Station/Scott Base; there is no public transport or roads from any major city-travel to McMurdo is normally staged from Christchurch, New Zealand through Antarctic program logistics or via tour operators.
Landings are from the beach and the historic hut and cape are a short walk from the landing site (a few hundred metres). Visits must be arranged with an Antarctic operator or research station and are subject to weather, sea-ice and permit restrictions.
Tips for Visiting Cape Royds #
- Landings at Cape Royds are done from expedition ships via Zodiac under IAATO-supervised windows-plan to join a guided landing with your operator and follow the leader's instructions for timing and access.
- Visit the Shackleton hut and the Adélie penguin colony early in the landing window (often morning) when guides schedule landings and wildlife tend to be most active; expect short on-site times and staggered group visits.
- Respect all marked exclusion zones around nests and the hut: do not touch artifacts, approach penguins, or cross taped-off areas-conservation rules are strictly enforced and you must stay with your guide.
- Be prepared for sudden strong winds and cold conditions onshore; follow your expedition staff's advice about where to stand for views and how long to remain on the rocky foreshore to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Cape Royds #
Visit during the austral summer (roughly November-February) when sea ice is reduced and wildlife is most active.
