It is home to some primitive campsites and is part of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
It is part of the Town of Falmouth, in Barnstable County in the village of Waquoit.
During World War II, the island was home to Camp Washburn.
[1] Washburn Island was originally named Menauhant by the native people.
[2] Artifacts dating back 450–1000 years, including hammer flakes and shell middens, have been found on the island.