The total land area of the main island is 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi).

The other two islands in the group are Qamea several hundred metres to the west and Matagi.

The island was first settled by the Qaraniyaku people, led by their founder Buatavatava Naulumatua.

[1] In 1865, the island of Naitauba was sold to Europeans by the Tui Cakau and its inhabitants moved to Laucala.

[1] In 2003 the late Dietrich Mateschitz, head of the Red Bull energy drink company, bought the island from Forbes's heirs for £7 million.