The entrance to the cove is a narrow gap in the limestone bands, formed by wave action and weathering.

The sea has made a gap in the Portland and Purbeck limestone here to the Wealden clays and begun eroding them.

The narrow entrance to the cove causes waves to bend into an arc shape, as is visible in the panorama photograph.

As well as the cove, across Hambury Tout (the large chalk hill to the west) is Durdle Door, a natural arch.

The coast and land to the north and around the village is privately owned and managed by the Lulworth Estate.

Land to the east, including Tyneham, is owned by the Ministry of Defence and used for tank training; it is open only at weekends and holidays.