The Bay of Islands is located on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland. It is named for the many small islands that are scattered throughout it, some of which were populated for generations with fishing families, but since the mid 20th century the islands are used mainly for camping and family cabins.

Flowing into the Bay of Islands is the Humber River, one of the main rivers on the island of Newfoundland. Near the mouth of the river is the city of Corner Brook (pop. < 30000 est). The Humber River was used for many years to float logs down to the Bay of Islands where a large Pulp and Paper Mill turned them into paper products. Today logs are transported by truck and the river and bay are mainly used for recreational purposes.

Other towns in the Bay of Islands are fishing communities. These communities include (on the southern shore of Humber Arm, the southernmost bay) Mt Moriah, Humber Arm South, and Lark Harbour, (on the northern shore of Humber Arm) Hugh's Brook, Irishtown-Summerside, Meadows, Gillams, McIvers, and (on Middle Arm, north of Humber Arm) Cox's Cove. There are still fish plants in Cox's Cove and Curling (Curling was once a distinct communitity, but is now under jurisdiction with Corner Brook).