Since 1990, the islet is part of the protected area Reserva Natural Integral de Santa Luzia.

Its highest point, Topa da Berta, is 327 metres (1,073 feet) above sea level.

Seas around the island are rough throughout the year, making access difficult.

[7] The Cape Verde giant skink, which only occurred on Branco and Raso, has not been seen since the early twentieth century and is considered extinct.

The island has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports 2500–3570 breeding pairs of Cape Verde shearwaters as well as peregrine falcons, Iago sparrows and Cape Verde barn owls (Tyto alba detorta).