The coastline from Manokwari, in the northwest of the bay, to Cape d'Urville at the mouth of the Mamberamo is more than 700 kilometers long.

Important places along the coast are Manokwari, Ransiki, Wasior and Nabire.

Parts of the area have been declared a protected marine reserve of 1.5 million hectares, the largest natural park in Southeast Asia.

The western part of the bay was declared a marine national park in 2002.

Further south in the bay is the 140 kilometer long island of Yapen (Japen).