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 37 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. Detachment Provides operational support for P-3 Orion aircraft flying ASW and reconnaissance missions over the Indian Ocean.