Salisbury Bight is a broad, shallow indentation along the Cape John shoreline, forming part of the southern curve of John Bay. A bight differs from a bay in that it is typically wider and less recessed, creating a gentle concave sweep of coastline rather than a deeply indented harbor. Salisbury Bight exemplifies this form, with its open, shallow waters and low-lying shoreline that historically provided both challenges and opportunities for navigation and settlement.