There are four main islands and seven motus or islets in the Rakahanga lagoon.
The northern island is divided into three: Tetukono in the north and northeast, Tetaha Kiraro in the west, and Paerangi in the southwest; while the southern island is Rakahanga.
The motus are: on the east, Te Motu o Umurua, Akaro, Motu Ngangie, Huananui, Motu Mahuta and Motu Okakara; while on the southwest side the islet of Te Kainga guards the widest passage into the lagoon.
The north-east coast has sandy beaches.
The west coast is rubble and beach rock (a conglomerate of coral and shell) over old reef rock.
The atoll is densely vegetated with coconut palms.

Rakahanga is just over 4 square kilometres in size.
Its highest point is about 5 metres (17 feet) and like the other Northern Group atolls, Rakahanga is in danger from rising sea levels.
Its large lagoon is shallow with poor sea water circulation, which is unfavourable for coral growth.
The natural entrances to the lagoon are narrow and shallow, passable only by canoes and small boats with skilled captains.
A deeper channel was created in about 2015 under a Harbour Improvement program.

Rakahanga's settlement is on the northwest side of the southern islet and consists of five adjoining villages (which might represent the lineages living in the same village:)
Purapoto
Niteiri
Numahanga
Teruakiore
Matara (main settlement and seat of the Rakahanga Island Council)
There are four main islands and seven motus or islets in the Rakahanga lagoon. The northern island is divided into three: Tetukono in the north and northeast, Tetaha Kiraro in the west, and Paerangi in the southwest; while the southern island is Rakahanga. The motus are: on the east, Te Motu o Umurua, Akaro, Motu Ngangie, Huananui, Motu Mahuta and Motu Okakara; while on the southwest side the islet of Te Kainga guards the widest passage into the lagoon. The north-east coast has sandy beaches. The west coast is rubble and beach rock (a conglomerate of coral and shell) over old reef rock. The atoll is densely vegetated with coconut palms.
Rakahanga is just over 4 square kilometres in size. Its highest point is about 5 metres (17 feet) and like the other Northern Group atolls, Rakahanga is in danger from rising sea levels. Its large lagoon is shallow with poor sea water circulation, which is unfavourable for coral growth. The natural entrances to the lagoon are narrow and shallow, passable only by canoes and small boats with skilled captains. A deeper channel was created in about 2015 under a Harbour Improvement program.
Rakahanga's settlement is on the northwest side of the southern islet and consists of five adjoining villages (which might represent the lineages living in the same village:)
Purapoto
Niteiri
Numahanga
Teruakiore
Matara (main settlement and seat of the Rakahanga Island Council)
Rakahanga