[3] Unlike other subantarctic islands that were greatly affected by the whaling and sealing industry in the 19th century, the Snares remain one of the last pristine areas in New Zealand.

It has roughly the shape of a triangle, but with two concave edges, this causing both the southern and northwestern coast to be in the form of large irregular bays.

[5] In contrast, the east coast is relatively flat and sloping, and provides the only easy access-point for landing, close to Station Point.

Several small islets, the Daption Rocks, lie off the tip of North Promontory, and are the island group's northernmost point.

The peninsula points almost directly towards the Western Chain, a line of stacks located some 4 kilometres to the southwest of the main island.

These islets are simply named Tahi, Rua, Toru, Wha, and Rima, the Māori words for the numerals one to five.

[7] All of the Snares islands and their surrounding waters have been recognised as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) by BirdLife International for their significant seabird breeding populations.