Encompassing Hope Inlet at its eastern end, it is characterised by extensive areas of intertidal mudflats and mangroves and is an important site for waders, or shorebirds.

[6] The bay comprises the lower reaches of the Howard River and several small tidal creeks that drain into Hope Inlet.

Much of the bay is exposed at low tide, with about 100 km2 (39 sq mi) of tidal mud and sand flats.

[7] Some 96 km2 (37 sq mi) of the bay has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports, with its low-tide feeding habitat and high-tide roosting sites, over 1% of the world population of great knots.

[8] Other birds recorded from the bay in significant numbers include black-tailed godwits, greater sand plovers, Terek sandpipers and beach stone-curlews.