Shelter Island is approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) due west of Albany, Western Australia.

The beach immediately west of Shelter Island is known as Muttonbird Beach, and is popular for swimming, surfing, fishing, and four wheel driving.

Shelter Island is approximately 130 metres (427 ft) off-shore from Muttonbird Beach separated by a channel that has an average depth of 8 metres (26 ft) it is regarded as a suitable open-water dive site.

[1] The island consists of a mass of granite but has sufficient soil for plant growth and is well vegetated on top.

The island supports breeding populations of flesh-footed shearwaters and little penguins as well as small populations of feral cats and black rats.