A lighthouse was built on the island in 1858 by English convicts using pre-made cast iron sheeting. This lighthouse was replaced in 1902 by a cylindical granite tower which remains in good condition to this day.Breaksea Island is an Island in King George Sound in the Great Southern region of Western Australia is 12 kilometres south-east of Albany.

The island is a nature reserve (declared in 1969) managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia. The island is also registered as a national estate. The island is 103 hectares in area, 3 kilometres in length, and 600 metres at its widest part. The closest island is Michaelmas Island which is located 1.5 kilometres north of Breaksea Island.