It was established by BC Parks on 13 March 2009 to protect a unique cluster of forested islands and islets situated at the entrance to Tribune Channel.

The islands are surrounded by Raleigh Channel to the west, Fife Sound to the southwest, Hornet Passage to the southeast, and Tribune Channel to the north.

The forested islands are an important habitat for coastal bird species.

The marine environment around the islands hosts a moderately sized kelp bed frequented by a variety of marine mammals and fish species, most notably Pacific salmon.

These include culturally significant shell middens and intertidal clam gardens.