The archipelago is located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, south of India and between Africa and Indonesia. The tropical island is a narrow coral atoll with a land area of about eleven square miles, nearly enclosing a lagoon. The island stretches 34 miles from tip to tip, with an opening to the north- northwest. Three small islands dot the mouth of the lagoon, which is approximately 13 miles long and up to 6 miles wide. The lagoon is from sixty to one hundred feet deep with numerous coral heads in most areas.
Shallow reefs surround the island on the ocean side, as well as in the lagoon.
The island's mean height above sea level is 4 feet. The climate is typically tropical, with warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. The average yearly precipitation is 102 inches. Island flora is lush, consisting in large measure of coconut trees, which were the staple of the island for 200 years. Additionally, there are a variety of other tropical plants and trees including large hardwood trees such as takamaka, porcie, guyoid, and casa.