The island has a total area of 2 hectares (5 acres) and was designated as a Class 1A Nature Reserve in 1988.

[3] The nearest point on the mainland, Bayonet Head, is located approximately 750 metres (2,461 ft) northwest of the island.

It is one of only four permanent pelican breeding grounds in Western Australia, the others being Mandurah, Shark Bay and Rockingham.

[6] The remaining Aborigines were removed to Michaelmas Island and left there making "great lamentations".

[7] The island is noted as an important breeding ground for small numbers of the Australian pelican.