It is surrounded by the English Channel to the south, Plymouth Sound to the east, the Hamoaze to the northeast and the estuary of the River Lynher to the north-west.
On a clear day, the Atlantic Ocean can be seen from advantageous points from Rame Head.
The largest settlement is Torpoint, which is on the eastern coast, facing Devonport in Plymouth, Devon.
[3] Other places on the peninsula include: Antony, Cawsand, Crafthole, Cremyll, Fourlanesend, Freathy, Higher Wilcove, Kingsand, Lower Tregantle, Maker, Millbrook, Mount Edgcumbe House, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Penlee, Portwrinkle, Sheviock, and St John and Withnoe Barton.
The peninsula has been the location of a number of fortifications defending the western approaches to Plymouth Sound, including Tregantle and Scraesdon Forts, and Tregantle Down, Hawkins, Rame Church and Penlee Batteries.