Strategically located at 18 deg 25' N, 75 deg 02' W, 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the island has a land area of 5.2 sq km consisting is mostly exposed coral and limestone rock. It has a flat to undulating raised plateau with an unnamed location on southwest side, at 77 m high being the highest point. It is ringed by vertical white cliffs that are typically 9 to 15 m high and has a 8 km coastline. The island has marine, tropical climate and has enough grassland to support goat herds as well as dense stands of fig-like trees and scattered cactus.
The island is considered an unincorporated territory of the US that is administered from Washington, DC, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. There has also been a private claim advanced against the island.
Access to Navassa is hazardous and visitors need permission from the Fish and Wildlife Office before entering the territory.
There is no airstrip on the island.
There are no harbors and an offshore anchorage is the only option.
There is no economic activity on Navassa Island.
Although the island is uninhabited, transient Haitian fishermen and others have been known to camp on the island.
The laws of the U.S. apply.