The gulf is bounded on the north by the island of Samar, which is separated from Leyte on the west by the narrow San Juanico Strait, and on the south by Mindanao, separated from Leyte by the Surigao Strait. Dinagat Island partly encloses the gulf to the southeast, and the small Homonhon Island (notable as the first landfall of Ferdinand Magellan after crossing the Pacific), sits astride the eastern entrance to the gulf. It is approximately 130 km (80 mi) north-south, and 60 km (40 mi) east-west.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was fought in and around the gulf at the end of October 1944.