Bely Island is located in the Kara Sea and the Malygin Strait separates it from the Yamal peninsula. Bely Island has been a sacred place for the indigenous people of the north since ancient times. A weather station was opened on the island in 1933 and operates up to the present day. 

Bely Island is a part of the Yamal Nature preserve, established in 1977. Reindeer inhabit the island.

R/V Kartesh sailed round the island and headed for the Gulf of Ob of the Kara Sea.