The cape marks the north point of the entrance to the Minas Basin. Cape d'Or is a continuation of the North Mountain tholeiitic basalt formation, and is marked by dramatic cliffs on its western side and cliffs on its southern side overlooking treacherous tidal currents in the Minas Channel. A basalt reef extends from the Cape into the Bay of Fundy where it intersects the violent waters of the Dory Rips, a rip tide created by the collision of three strong tidal currents.