Paulet Island

Paulet Island

Paulet Island is a circular island approximately 1.5 km in diameter, located 4.5 km southeast of Dundee Island, just off the northeastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is a popular tourist destination because of its large penguin colony. The island's unique shape and size make it an ideal habitat for Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap Penguins, which thrive in its rocky shoreline and ice-free slopes. The penguin colony on Paulet Island is one of the largest in the Antarctic Peninsula, with estimates suggesting that it is home to over 100,000 breeding pairs. Due to its large penguin colony, the island has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. Imperial Shags, Snow Petrels and Kelp Gulls are also known to nest on the island. In addition to its penguin colony, Paulet Island is also notable for its volcanic origins. The island is composed of basaltic rocks, which are the result of volcanic activity that occurred millions of years ago. This geologic history has created a unique landscape of rugged cliffs, rocky outcrops, and isolated beaches, providing a rich environment for geological and biological research. Paulet Island's significance extends beyond its natural beauty and scientific importance. In 1903, the ship Antarctic was crushed by ice and sank off the coast of the island during the Swedish Antarctic expedition led by Otto Nordenskiöld. A stone hut built in February 1903 by the survivors of the shipwreck, together with the grave of a member of the expedition, and the cairn that was built on the highest point of the island have been declared a historical site.