[1] The island stretches for 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) east-west, with the south coast offering two bays backed by sandy beaches.

[5] As part of the Department of Conservation's Project Island Song,[6] Motuarohia is pest-free and home to a number of endangered bird species, such as whitehead, brown kiwi, and New Zealand dotterel during breeding season.

Native forest is regenerating in most parts of the island, in particular in an area of felled pine at the western end.

This area is used as a stopover point by small tour boats from Paihia and Russell, although not as popular as the much larger Urupukapuka Island nearby.

At Motuarohia Island, the tour boats anchor in the bay and use a small tender to ferry passengers to the sandy beach.