Map courtesy of Gordon Grimwade and Associates

The Torres Strait Islands can be broadly grouped by their geological features and location in the Torres Strait:

Eastern Group – volcanic origin comprising mainly lava and volcanic ash
Central Group – low sandy islands, some are small sandbanks built up on coral reefs by wind and wave action
High Western Group – made of old volcanic and granite rock.
Northern Western Low Group – where alluvial mud have overlaid old coral reefs.

The islands are usually grouped into the following clusters:

Eastern – Mer (Murray), Erub (Darnley), Ugar (Stephen), Dauar, Waier and Bramble Cay
Lower Western – Moa Island including Kubin and St Pauls communities, Badu and Mabuiag Islands
Top Western – Saibai, Boigu and Dauan Islands
Central – Iama (Yam), Warraber (Sue), Poruma (Coconut), Masig (Yorke) and Nagir Islands
Inner – Waibene (Thursday), Kirriri (Hammond), Ngurapai (Horn), Goods, Zuna, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Muralug (Prince of Wales) Islands.
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA)- Seisia, New Mapoon, Bamaga, Umagico and Injinoo