Kardiva, 2.9 km in length and around 1 km in width, the island covers an area of 2.75 km², formerly known as Karidu, was thickly covered with coconut palms, 14 to 20m high. There is a township on its N side; its SE side is steep-to.
Kaafu Atoll is the administrative division.

A reef on the N side encloses a lagoon where local craft are moored. The entrance to the lagoon lies about 0.5 mile NW of the NE point of the island.
Landing can only be made on Kardiva by entering the lagoon, as there is generally a heavy surf around the island and reef, except at the lagoon entrance.