The Island Tube-nosed Bat occurs in primary lowland forests, secondary forests, village gardens, plantations, and island atoll vegetation. It roosts singly, or as small groups, in vegetation (Flannery 1995, Bonaccorso 1998, T.H. Lavery pers obs.). This species is able to disperse t0, and persist on small isolated islands (Flannery 1995, Bonaccorso 1998) and is a common visitor to fruiting trees along the foreshores (the part of a shore between high water and low water) of small islands, where it can be detected via its high pitch squeeking call.

The Island Tube-nosed Bat is present in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (Lavery et al. 2016). In Papua New Guinea, it has been recorded from many islands in the Provinces of East Sepik, Madang, Milne Bay, Morobe, New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain and North Solomons (the latter via S. Hamilton pers. comm.). In the Solomon Islands, the species has been recorded from most of the islands as far south as Malaita and Guadalcanal (Flannery 1995, Bonaccorso 1998, T.H. Lavery pers obs.). The species ranges from sea level up to 900 m asl. (Bonaccorso 1998). It is most common on smaller islands (e.g. Ngella , Solomon Islands) and in the more disturbed or marginal habitats on larger islands.

It is not known if the island tube-nosed bat is present in any protected areas. Research is needed to determine the status and threats to the species (Mickleburgh et al. 1992). More information about distribution and ecology should also be a priority.