The perfect gateway to Antarctica
Ross Sea
The most remote region in Antarctica, home to Shackleton’s hut, the world's largest ice shelf and emperor penguins all below an active volcano
Isolated, remote and pure
What makes the Ross Sea journey is so worthwhile
A designated Marine Protected Area since 2016, the remote Ross Sea has never been commercially fished and the immense wildlife reflects this. Crabeater seals thrive in near-infinite numbers, Weddell seals find home on the fast-moving ice, orcas and minke whales populate the open water and emperor penguin numbers flourish at colonies on the coast of Victoria Land. If you wondered what early Antarctic exploration was like, this is the destination. Scott's hut at Cape Evans (a base used from 1910-1913) and Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds (1907-1909) are well-preserved by the extreme cold. The stores, sleeping quarters, scientific equipment, and personal belongings left behind more than a century ago are still intact.
Walk in Shackleton’s footsteps
Approach soaring ice shelves by ship and Zodiac
Cruise between ice bergs by Zodiac
Visit an ice shelf the size of Spain
Signature locations
Destinations that define your Ross Sea journey
Beautifully remote and only included on select Antarctic cruise itineraries, voyages to the Ross Sea are rare expeditions with great rewards upon arrival.
Cape Evans
Robert Falcon Scott's main base for his Terra Nova expedition from 1910 to 1913, Cape Evans is where the polar party departed for the perilous adventure to the South Pole, and from where the few survivors were eventually evacuated. The hut here is currently maintained by the Antarctic Heritage Trust and accessible from Antarctica cruise ships by Zodiac. The stores, bunks, and laboratory equipment are largely intact and access is limited to small groups with guides.
Cape Evans
Robert Falcon Scott's main base for his Terra Nova expedition from 1910 to 1913, Cape Evans is where the polar party departed for the perilous adventure to the South Pole, and from where the few survivors were eventually evacuated. The hut here is currently maintained by the Antarctic Heritage Trust and accessible from Antarctica cruise ships by Zodiac. The stores, bunks, and laboratory equipment are largely intact and access is limited to small groups with guides.
When to go
Ross Sea throughout the season
As spring turns to summer, the Ross Sea begins to welcome expedition vessels for a new season of Antarctic exploration.
Sea ice recedes just enough to allow access to McMurdo Sound and the main historic site of the Ross Sea. Emperor penguin chicks at Cape Washington are present but small, as a new generation of the Antarctic birds begin to hatch. As it’s early in the season, conditions at the ice shelf and the hut sites depend on ice break-up timing, which varies significantly year to year.
Your questions answered
FAQs about the Ross Sea
Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
The distances, shortened season, fuel costs and ice conditions make the Ross Sea viable only for a small number of specialist ships compared to the popular Antarctic Peninsula. Fleets tend to focus more on itineraries to the peninsula as logistics are more manageable and the season is longer.
Most heritage expeditions to the Ross Sea only take place a few times per year, which also makes the number of available berths scarce.
Yes! It’s home to one of the largest colonies, too. Emperor penguin access frequents itineraries to Ross Sea voyages, and while it’s achievable, it’s not able to be guaranteed on every departure. The colony at Cape Washington near Terra Nova Bay is the most regularly visited, but access depends on ice conditions and the ship's equipment.
Less frequented by cruise ships than the Antarctic Peninsula, the Ross Sea’s scale is greater, the remoteness is deeper and the historic connection to renowned explorers is more direct. The peninsula involves a shorter ocean crossing, too, and features more varied landscapes with channels and bays.
The Ross Sea takes longer to get to and its horizons are dominated by ice on a continental scale. The wildlife is different, too. Fewer species call the region home.
Yes. The Ross Sea Marine Protected Area was established in 2016 under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). It’s the world's largest marine protected area, covering approximately 1.55 million square kilometres. Commercial fishing is prohibited in the core protected zone, preserving wildlife in this remote part of the world. The designation reflects the region's ecological significance and is one reason the wildlife populations remain among the most intact in the Southern Ocean.
On the opposite site of the continent to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Ross Sea sits roughly south of New Zealand. It can be accessed via New Zealand’s Auckland Islands in about four days, or five days from Australia via Macquarie Island.
Like all oceans, the Ross Sea is subject to marine conditions but also has the added element of polar weather. It’s notorious for icebergs, and needs to be expertly navigated by expedition vessel.
Talk with a specialists
A conversation, not a commitment
Book a no-obligation discovery call, and we’ll help you understand how Ross Sea fits into your wider journey and whether it’s the right inclusion for what you’re looking to experience.