It has an area of 0.57 hectares (5,700 m2), and is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of Philippine-occupied Nanshan Island, both of which are located on the expansive but otherwise submerged Flat Island Bank in the northeast part of the of Dangerous Ground area in the South China Sea.

It is the sixth largest of the Philippine-occupied Spratly islands and is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan.

The island is a low, flat, sandy cay, 240 by 90 metres (790 by 300 ft), and is subject to erosion.

In August 2011, the Philippine Navy Seabees (Naval Combat Engineer Brigade) finished construction of a second star shell-like structure which is intended to shelter and protect troops.

[1] The Philippine Coast Guard constructed 5 lighthouses in the area, and this includes one on Flat Island.