The second biggest atoll in Polynesia, a 60 km by 25 km rectangle has two main villages: Rotoava in the northeast near the Ngarue pass, one kilometer wide and its airdrome; and then there is Tetamanu, formerly the main village of the island located near the southern Tumakohua pass.

This protected atoll together with its six neighboring islands, originally including Taiaro, makes up a Unesco classified nature reserve, which is the proof of the richness of the ecosystem of these atolls.

The real drawcard to the island is its scuba diving which still holds its share of excitement : loach, meru, barracuda, rays and the highly memorable hammerhead and tiger sharks.