[3] Located a short distance off the northwest coast of Quebec's Ungava Peninsula, they, like the other coastal islands in Hudson Bay, were historically part of the Northwest Territories, and became Crown Land upon the creation of Nunavut in 1999.

[4][5] The Ottawa Islands are situated on the barren and rocky east coast of Hudson Bay.

Foxe says "Wee came by a small Iland at clocke one, the highest I haue seene since I came from Brook Cobham; the deep 70 fathome.

"[9] Foxe named the islands just north of Lancaster Isle, "Ile Sleepe".

The waters surrounding the islands are important habitat for seals, walrus and bowhead and beluga whales.