Administratively, it is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Île des Pingouins lies at the western edge of the archipelago, of which it is the southernmost island, about 30 km southeast of Île aux Cochons (Pig Island) and 95 km west-southwest of Île de la Possession (Possession Island).

Its surrounding coastal cliffs vary from 50 m to 300 m in height, making it virtually inaccessible by sea and rarely visited.

It is free of introduced species, so has a relatively pristine biota compared with the other islands in the archipelago.

Other island breeders in smaller numbers are Kerguelen terns and Crozet blue-eyed shags.