Twenty-seven kilometres in length, the western end of the bay is mountainous, with the southern terminus of the Southern Alps and Fiordland National Park.

Its Māori name reflects the southern chief (rangatira), Te Waewae who resided in the bay for large periods of time.

[1] The small farming town of Orepuki is situated on the cliffs at the eastern end of the bay and the timber town of Tuatapere and Port Craig is located seven kilometres north of the bay, on the banks of the Waiau River, which has its outflow in the bay.

The bay, lining from Sand Hill Point to Pahia Point, is declared as a marine mammal sanctuary[2] and hosts an important habitat for New Zealand fur seals,[3] the endemic Hector's dolphins and one of major winter breeding grounds for southern right whales on mainland coasts.

[7] Surrounding lands, both coastal and terrestrial, are home to little blue penguins and Fiordland crested penguins, 25 species of native birds, and the endangered New Zealand long-tailed bats [3]