These bays, carved from coastal highlands by ancient geological events, are favoured locations for human settlement. There is a multitude of floral species, many of them dwarf variants found usually in alpine environments. From vantage points on the coastal highlands, whales can be spotted breeching and diving as they feed. Whales are frequently sighted in the area during summer and early autumn. The most common large species of whale is the humpback, which are usually seen in groups and noted for their classic roll and dive, which leaves their tail flukes in the air.
Fin whales are more solitary than humpbacks, and are usually spotted alone or in small groups.
Their main identifying feature is the tall, column-like spout of exhaled air when they surface after a dive. Smaller whales include pothead, minke and occasional killer whales. In sandy areas near beaches there are dwarf irises, beach peas, silverweed, harebells, purple vetch, oysterleaf and a yellow sunflower-like plant called beachside senecio. Less common plants such as purple saxifrage, moss campion and willow herb may be found in some locations. The Labrador Straits is famous for its bakeapples, which grow in abundance in the bogs and wetter areas of the barrens.