The Site is comprised of three sub-sites: Södviken, Egby – Kapelludden and Stora Ören – Gammalsbyören. The Site is a unique example of a large and continuous area of coastal habitats. It includes shallow coastal waters, bays, sandbanks, beaches, wet calcareous meadows, and steppe-like dry meadows on moraine islands. The great natural value of the Site depends on a continued adequate level of grazing, which has been practised together with haymaking since the Middle Ages. The Site is important for nesting waterbirds and a variety of migrating birds, notably waders and raptors. Many habitats of European importance as well as nationally red-listed bird and plant species are present. The Site hosts the nationally red-listed Baltic population of harbour seal Phoca vitulina and grey seal Halichoerus grypus, both listed in the EU Habitats Directive. All three sub-sites contain shallow brackish waters with abundant seaweed, which are of great importance for spawning fish and have a high biodiversity. Stora Ören – Gammalsbyören, the southernmost sub-site, is included in the World Heritage Site “The agricultural landscape of Southern Öland”.