So named by the United Kingdom Antarctic Place-Names Committee (UK-APC) in 1960 because the point is the "gateway" of the route.

Cape Reclus Refuge (64°30′00″S 61°46′00″W / 64.5°S 61.766667°W / -64.5; -61.766667) is a British refuge, managed by the British Antarctic Survey, located at Portal Point on the Reclus Peninsula.

The hut was inaugurated on 13 December 1956 and remained active until April 25, 1958.

A four men team, led by Wally Herbert completed the first traverse from Hope Bay to Cape Reclus in 1957, they wintered in the refuge and carried out local survey.

[1] Portal point often has numerous Weddell seals hauled out near the landing.