It is a geographic sound consisting of a complex of sheltered bays, coves, estuaries and islands separated from the sea to the west by the Copoas Peninsula.

[3] It covers 200,115 hectares (494,490 acres) of both aquatic and terrestrial environment with diverse ecosystems consisting of mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds, and a variety flora and fauna endemic to Palawan.

[5] 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north of its entrance is Custodio Point which forms the western border of Bacuit Bay in the municipality of El Nido, itself a managed resource protected area.

It is also the site of several Tagbanua settlements whose main means of livelihood are fishing and farming, particularly in the areas of Minapla, New Guinlo, Binga, Alimanguan, Pancol and Liminagcong.

[5] Malampaya Sound's waters, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove coastlines and surrounding lowland forests provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.