The town is located on the western shore of Lough Foyle, approximately 30 kilometres (20 mi) from Derry,[3] which lies across the border in Northern Ireland.

Features include a pier and small working harbour; and Moville Green, a large seaside park in the Victorian style which features bandstands, a putting green, walking trails, playgrounds, a coastal footpath and views east across the waters of the lough to Northern Ireland.

[citation needed] The town is in the civil parish of Moville Lower (Irish: Maigh Bhile Íochtarach).

[5] In the second half of the 19th century, Moville was a point of embarkation for travellers, especially emigrants, to Canada and the United States of America.

[citation needed] Today, the town receives little maritime traffic but retains a small fishing harbour.