The island is located 1.5 kilometres north-east of Cathedral Cove,[1] to the east of Mercury Bay.

[1] Motueka Island is within the Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve.

[2] Motueka Island is an eroded Miocene era lava dome, composed of flow-banded rhyolite.

[2] The island is primarily forested by native New Zealand flora, including kohekohe, karaka, māhoe, whārangi, tawāpou, pūriri and parapara.

[2] The island is a nesting place for Pterodroma gouldi (ōi / the grey-faced petrel).