Flattery Rocks Refuge consists of a portion of 870 islands, rocks, and reefs extending for more than 100 miles along Washington's Pacific coast from Cape Flattery to Copalis Beach. These islands are protected from human disturbance, yet are close to abundant ocean food sources.

They are a vital sanctuary where 14 species of seabirds nest and raise their young. During migration the total populations of seabirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds may exceed a million birds. Sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and whales may also be seen around the islands. Most of the coastal islands are designated as wilderness.

Dozens of seabird species (murres, puffins, cormorants, gulls, auklets, petrels, oystercatchers) breed on these fragments of earth, and thousands of migratory birds use them as rest stops. The heads of numerous harbor and fur seals, northern and California sea lions, and even whales (including rights, grays, and humpbacks) take turns breaking through the surface of the surrounding water. Sea otters' pleasant faces can often be seen bobbing playfully among the kelp beds.