It lies 4.6 km (2.9 mi) east of Taiwan-administered Taiping Island (Itu Aba), 7.2 km (4.5 mi) west of Vietnam-administered Sand Cay,[4] and has an exposed area of approximately 0.2 hectares (0.49 acres) during high tide, and 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) during low tide.

Though currently uninhabited by humans, the Taiwanese Coast Guard sends regular patrols via M8 speedboats from nearby Taiping Island.

These patrols circle the reef, in addition to landing, making inspections and carrying out ecological surveys.

[citation needed] The Vietnam People's Navy also sends patrols from nearby Sand Cay.

On 28 March 2004, the Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration completed the construction of wooden observation kiosks on the reef.