The islands are small, and the coral-based soil is poor in essential nutrients. Daytime temperatures are about 28 C throughout the year. The humidity is slightly lower in the dry season but on most days, there is a cool sea breeze. Though several of the bigger islands have an abundant growth of palm trees, there are others that have poor, sandy soil that supports only a few plants bamboo, banana, mangroves, breadfruit trees, banyans, tropical vines and numerous coconut palms. The larger, wetter islands have small areas of rainforest.
Natural fauna is sparse giant fruit bats, colorful lizards and the occasional rat.
Domestic animals include cats, a few chickens, goats and some rabbits. The most exciting wildlife is under the water. Diving under the azure waters will enable one to see butterfly fish, angelfish, parrotfish, rock cod, unicorn fish, trumpet fish, blue-stripe snapper, Moorish idols, oriental sweet lips and more. Larger life forms, keenly sought by scuba divers, include sharks, stingrays, manta rays, turtles and dolphins. Their records serve as a useful guide to the history of these islands.