Canisbay is a coastal parish, which lies in Highland Council Area, some 12 miles (19 km) north of Wick and 14 miles (22 km) east of Thurso in Highland and includes a small offshore island.
It is located in the old county of Caithness, which disappeared following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1974.
The parish has an area of 103.6 sq. km (40 sq. miles). Canisbay has Bower, Dunnet and Wick as its neighbouring parishes.