The Montebello Islands remain a nuclear radiation risk more than half a century after British bomb tests in the area, yet increasing numbers of people are risking their health by straying too close to the danger zones and even camping there.
There are more than 260 islands and islets in the Montebellos, which lie about 120 kilometres off the coast of Dampier in north-west Western Australia.
They are only accessible by boat and are rich in natural marine diversity and human history.
They are also the site of British nuclear testing in the 1950s.
One of the test blasts conducted by the British military in the 1950s was filmed by a group of men from WA Newspapers camped on Karratha Station, approximately 150 kilometres away, then a thriving sheep station.
A family video of the action was made by station leaseholder Mrs Normie Leslie, mother of well-known local author Tish Lees, who is featured standing on the fence watching the blast.
Today the remoteness of the islands together with other personal health and safety concerns have prompted Parks and Wildlife Service staff to again highlight warnings to boating visitors.
With boating recreation a popular pastime in the coastal towns of Karratha, Dampier, Onslow and Port Hedland, some people are venturing further afield to offshore islands like the Montebellos.
Visible sign posts warning visitors not to camp or spend longer than one hour at the two islands with elevated risk — Trimouille and Alpha — have been ignored.
'Leave no trace' policy on islands
The Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions also found an abandoned campsite with evidence of recent occupation on another island.
Garbage buried in a shallow sand hill, star pickets, an ironing board and buoys were amongst the human litter that required disposal by staff.
"We want people to come out here and enjoy it," said Tim Hunt, the marine program coordinator with the Parks and Wildlife Service in Karratha.
"We promote a 'Leave No Trace' policy, so when people leave rubbish on the islands, it's really disappointing.
"It ruins it for other visitors.
"Be appropriately prepared, have the right amount of fuel on board, the right amount of gear and know where you can and can't camp on the islands.
"Dogs are prohibited on the islands, so best they are left at home."
"If the weather is going to turn, you need to be prepared to perhaps stay out here for a couple more days to get that safe weather window to return."
The Montebello Islands Marine Park has three marine sanctuary "no-take" zones where fishing is banned.
Mr Hunt said the marine park was proclaimed because of its exceptional marine biodiversity.
He said the coral communities had been identified as a "key ecological value, important for fish and a number of other marine organisms".
The three no-fishing sanctuaries are in the north around North West Island and Primrose Island, in the south from Hermite Island to Ah Chong Island, and at Willy Nilly Lagoon, stretching from Brooke Island to Delta Island.
The fragile wedgetail shearwater rookeries on Ah Chong Island are deemed to be at risk from sections of kapok weed which were been identified by local Pilbara botanist Vicki Long in conjunction with Parks and Wildlife Service officers.
Where the native spinifex has been overtaken by kapok, this sand-nesting bird species, colloquially known as mutton bird, cannot build a nest in which to breed.
Camping is also strictly prohibited on this island as it may damage bird nests because kapok seeds can be easily spread by visitors.
More information on the Montebello Islands Marine and Conservation Park can be found by visiting your local Parks and Wildlife Service office, Explore Parks WA or downloading the Marine Parks WA smartphone app.