The main city of São Vicente, Mindelo, is situated at the bay.

The small rocky islet Ilhéu dos Pássaros lies north of the bay.

Since the latest modernization in 2014, the port has 4 long quays, 4 shorter quays, a quay for fishing boats with fish processing installations, a container terminal (expanded and modernized in 1997),[2] 2 roll-on/roll-off ramps and 3 passenger terminals.

The total length of the quays is 1,560 m, and the maximum depth is 12 m.[3] With 847,602 metric tonnes of cargo and 350,213 passengers handled (2017),[1] it is the busiest port of Cape Verde.

There are ferry services to the islands of Santo Antão,[4] São Nicolau, Santiago and Sal.