Larger vessels may anchor farther out in 37 to 46m, but with NW winds, this anchorage becomes untenable. There is a deep, but narrow, boat passage through the reef, 0.3 mile S of the anchorage. Breakers extend for 0.5 mile S from the atoll. It is constantly swept by salt spray, and only four species of land plants grow there. There is a small depression which sometimes contains fresh water.
Sea birds abound in the breeding season.