It has one large island and 65 islets separated by numerous channels on the reef surrounding the lagoon.

In the second expedition of the Águila, the two captains, Domingo de Bonechea and José Andía y Varela, separated when leaving Peru and did not see each other until reaching Tahiti.

On 29 October 1774 (the day of Saint Narcissus) the two disembarked on Tatakoto without meeting.

Chronicler José Andía described the atoll as "extremely agreeable to the eyes by being very populated by shrubs."

[3] The atoll is served by the Tatakoto Airport (IATA: TKV, ICAO: NTGO).