[3] Nicolas Baudin Island was formed between 6000 and 7700 years ago following the rise of sea levels at the start of the Holocene.

[4] The island's geology consists of a basement of a granite associated with the Gawler Craton and which is bare of any remnants of overlying layers of rock.

The present name was selected in 2002 via a public competition held in association with the process to proclaim the island and its adjoining waters as a conservation park.

[6][8] The commercial fishing of greenlip abalone by the use of underwater diving methods takes place in the vicinity of the island.

As of 2006, fishing by diving within the boundaries of the Nicolas Baudin Island Conservation Park is permitted by licence and only during periods outside of the breeding cycle of the Australian sea lion.