This species rarely approaches land except at colonies, feeding mostly at night on a diet predominately comprised of fish, as well as some squid, shrimps and sea skaters. It breeds on oceanic islands, creating burrows in areas of sandy soil or high sloping ground up to 918 m, usually amongst vegetation. Breeding starts in December, with individuals forming dense colonies (del Hoyo et al. 1996).

The Bonin Petrel disperses widely over the subtropical north Pacific, nesting on Bonin and Volcano Island (Japan) and on the western Hawaiian Islands (U.S.A.) (del Hoyo et al. 1996).