It is located around 0.85 miles (1.37 km) west of the southern tip of the larger Great Chebeague Island.

[1] Being that there are many fresh-water underground springs and rivulets, low-tide exposed sandy areas, such as the sandbar or coves, often have "quicksand" zones that must be noted with caution.

The island, which is approximately 0.75 miles (1.21 km) long (east to west) and 0.40 miles (0.64 km) wide (north to south), with 86 acres (35 ha) of land,[3] is mostly dense shrub and forest, having been allowed to grow wild between the end of World War II and the late 20th century.

[1][4] Despite the resistance of some residents, the island was taken over by the United States Navy in 1943, midway through World War II.

[5] Recreational facilities were built, including ball fields, a boxing ring, a skeet range and a music hall.

In 2001, MITA received a grant from Maine's Recreational Trails Program (RTP) to build a privy for campers and visitors to the island.