River Yama has its mouth in the bay in the Perevolochny estuary by Yamsk.

[1] Yam Bay is entered between Capes Iretsky to the north and Keytevan to the south, which are separated by 33.8 km (about 21 mi).

The high entrance points of the bay merge into a low shore to the west, with tundra plains beyond.

From June to the first half of August, winds in the bay are seldom stronger than a fresh breeze, but occasionally reach gale force.

There is ice in the bay from October to late June or early July.