Across the Sakai Channel or across the Eshima Ohashi Bridge, it borders the city of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture.

Sakaiminato is located on a sandbar, and the land is very flat, with an average elevation of two meters above sea level.

In the Muromachi period, the area was dominated by the powerful Amago clan from Izumo Province and occupied an important position as a landing point for rice and navy anchorage.

Sakaiminato has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 15 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tottori 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Following World War II the city has served as the base of the fishing industry for all of Western Japan.

The city has two public high schools operated by the Tottori Prefectural Board of Education.