The river mouth is at the most southerly reach of the bay and at least two kilometres from the more northerly and more open waters of the Atlantic.
Within the bay, about three kilometres west/northwest of the river mouth, Scrabster harbour has deep water in the shelter of Holborn Head and berths a ferry which links mainland Scotland with Stromness in Orkney.
Holborn Head Lighthouse is about one kilometre south of the headland's point and close to Scrabster Harbour.
Tidal water reaches inland about one kilometre beyond the river mouth and about twice the distance usually indicated on Ordnance Survey maps.
Wolf Burn enters the bay at Burnside, midway between the river mouth and Scrabster Harbour.