The prevailing northeast winds push ice floes into the coast around Shantar, leaving only 2–3 months per year of ice-free water.

[4] The larger islands are covered with dark coniferous forests, primarily Siberian spruce, larch, cedar, and birch.

Park rules will protect the maritime environment, with fishing prohibited out to 1–3 miles from the coast to cover salmon spawning areas.

Terrestrial mammals include brown bear, caribou, red fox, sable, river otter, and ringed seals.

[6][7][8] Logging has occurred in past, and the islands are in a region with potential mineral reserves - all adding pressure on the site for economic use.