[1] It is one of the larger bays of the inner sound, located north of the Tory Channel it is vulnerable to southerly winds.

[3][4] Alexander Wyclif Reed rendered speculation on the meaning of Miritū idle due to this range of possible translations.

A number of these bays, and those throughout the Marlborough Sounds are named after poets and characters from literature.

The bay is well sheltered, only vulnerable to easterly winds, with a sand and cobble beach.

[15] The name references cockles, small mollusks found across the country.