It is 4.8 km by 2.4 km in size, with an area 10 km². It is of volcanic origin. It has two prominent peaks. The tallest peak, Bárcena, rises to a height of 332 metres (1,089 feet) near the southern part of the island. It forms a typical volcanic crater. There is no permanent source of freshwater.
The vertebrate fauna of San Benedicto is nowadays composed entirely of seabirds. Its position on the northeastern edge of the archipelago makes San Benedicto the north(east)ernmost location where several seabirds of the tropical Eastern Pacific come to breed. A mere 10 plant taxa have been recorded from San Benedicto, containing mainly herbs and grasses, with the occasional subshrubs and vines. It does not appear that any went extinct due to the 1952 eruption.
San Benedicto Island is a popular scuba diving destination known for underwater encounters with dolphins, sharks, giant manta rays and other pelagics. An area called "The Boiler" is where divers commonly interact with the rays. Divers have also spotted tiger sharks, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, and humpback whales here. Since there is no public airport on the island, divers visit here aboard dive vessels. The most popular months to visit are between November and May when the weather and seas are calmer."
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