[1] A popular tourist destination,[2] Caines Head features spruce and hemlock forests[3] as well as a variety of terrestrial and marine wildlife (including harbor seals, Steller sea lions, sea otters, orcas, humpback, grey and fin whales, brown and black bears, lynx, mountain goats, wolves, etc.).

[4] It also features the remains of Fort McGilvray, a World War II-era fortification erected in 1941–1942 to defend against the potential invasion of the Imperial Japanese Army.

The cape features a steep elevation of 1,500 feet (460 m),[3] an extremely rugged shoreline,[9] and a 20-foot (6.1 m) difference between high and low tides,[10] effectively obstructing a marine landing.

[12] Permanent 6-inch (15 cm) artillery batteries were constructed on Caines Head, and a radar installation and submarine loop station were maintained in Resurrection Bay for their support.

[15] The area offers hiking and fishing opportunities, although the hikers following the trails along the beach are warned to time their activities with regards to the tides.