The bay is protected from the Pacific Ocean by a chain of three sand islands. Moreton Island in the north, North Stradbroke Island, and South Stradbroke Island in the south. Moreton Island is protected by Moreton Island National Park.
The bay is generally shallow and sandy, though a substantive channel is maintained to allow access to the Port of Brisbane for international shipping. The bay is home to families of dolphins and dugong, and is extremely popular with recreational anglers.
The Nerang, Coomera, Logan, Brisbane, Pine and Caboolture rivers all empty into Moreton Bay.
The Moreton Bay Fig, (Ficus macrophylla), is endemic to the east coast of Australia within a range centred on Moreton Bay.
The Moreton Bay Bug, (Thenus orientalis), is a species of lobster found throughout the waters of Australia's north coast.