The western side consists of a submerged reef which surrounds the islet filled lagoon.

[1] Onotoa is a low lying atoll with a land area of 15.62 square kilometres (6.03 sq mi).

[1] Facilities are spread right across the island, with Onotoa Airport close to the northernmost village of Tekawa, the boat channel and wharf at the southern islet of Tabuarorae, the Junior Secondary School located between Otoae and Aiaki, and the main Council offices located between Temao and Buariki.

The legend is told that a hunchback woman from Tarawa, living in a village of Nuatabu, had six sons who made fun of her deformity.

The sons followed her and built her a home by piling up huge coral boulders - the remnants of which can be seen today.