From its upper grassy area, the bay overlooks Mount Batten and Plymouth Sound.

Jennycliff Bay forms part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known as Plymouth Sound, Shores and Cliffs.

It is a Designated Site within the "Jennycliff to Bovisand" management unit and said to be in favourable condition.

[3] This is primarily because it contains four Nationally Scarce species:[3][4] The Site Management Statement for Jennycliff CWS reports sightings of "Devon notable species" including ivy broomrape, dotted sedge, distant sedge, sea rocket and sea spleenwort.

[4] The cliff face is inclined and the shore is composed of steep broken bedrock and boulders of various sizes.