The island was described by the sailors of the frigate Pallada on May 10, 1854, and named for Johan Hampus Furuhjelm, captain of the transport Knyaz Menshikov, which belonged to the Russian-American Company.

Greater renown came to the island after the opening of wild animal farms, on which for the first time selective breeders began to raise blue minks.

Following the deterioration of relations with Japan began the construction of coastal defenses on Furuhjelm Island.

On the western side, it is fronted by small bays with stone columns standing haphazardly in the water.

The island also serves as a resting place for migrating birds recorded in the IUCN Red List, such as petrels, sea eagles, skuas, and Ross's gulls.

From the land, reptiles are found a small quantity of Japanese natrix and steppes ratsnake.

On the sandy bottom of the island's bays, there are colonies of scallops, the largest in the Maritime Province.