[1] The bay is overlooked by the Victorian East Weare Battery, built in the 1860s to protect the harbour.
The bay was created in Victorian times by the construction of the inner breakwater at Portland Harbour.
[8][9] The plant plan received much objection from local citizens, and saw the formation of the protest organisation "No Oil Palm Energy" (NOPE).
[7][10] During the Second World War a number of anti-invasion structures were placed at Balaclava Bay, constructed between 1940-41.
An anti boat landing obstacle was laid offshore, compromising of a line of stone boulders.