The land between these two extremes is more gently rolling, and also includes the coastal plains around the mouth of the Waimea River at the bay's southernmost point.

The long low form of Rabbit Island is located close to the bay's south coast.

The fertile land around the centre of the bay's coast is extensively cultivated and known for its horticultural crops such as apples, kiwifruit, olives, grapes and hops.

In the middle of the twentieth century the Tasman Bay area produced large crops of tobacco.

It is also the most densely populated part of the South Island's north coast, and several towns and the city of Nelson are all located close to the shore.