The islands form the Trial Islands Ecological Reserve and entry outside designated zones is prohibited.

It is likely that these islands were so named after the practise of sailing refitted British naval ships from the Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard to these islands and back as a trial run before heading into open seas.

It has also been suggested that they were named because they constituted a trial of one's skill in navigation and seamanship.

The trick was to round them in a small sailing ship and enter the Strait of Juan de Fuca, despite the frequent rip tides and the prevailing westerlies.

[2]: 272 The island is home to the Trial Islands Lighthouse and four large radio antennas operated under licence by CFAX 1070 AM radio.