The island flying fox is the smallest Pteropus species: As its name suggests, it inhabits offshore islands. Its preferred roosts are in coconut palms and Casuarina trees. Its noisy, daytime roosts may number in the hundreds and are sometimes located close to towns and villages.

Its fur colour is variable but is generally dark grey-brown on the lower back to orange-brown in the underparts and around the chest and face.

The species occurs on smaller islands throughout Southeast Asia to New Guinea. Many populations have been decimated where the local culture includes these bats as a food source.