Your ultimate Batemans Bay beach guide

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Get beached: Put the NSW South Coast town of Batemans Bay on your radar for your next beachside holiday.

There really is something for every kind of beachgoer in Batemans Bay, on the NSW South Coast. Batemans Bay beaches amount to 83 confetti’d along the coastline.

The area is home to a designated marine park and sanctuary, which has 85,000-odd hectares of estuaries, creeks, rivers and lakes and is home to dolphins, seals, penguins and migrating whales.  There are sheltered nooks for families at Corrigan’s Beach, recreational fishing spots at Long Beach, dog-friendly Tomakin Beach, stunning Surf Beach and slate-coloured Mossy Point where you can spot stingrays. Here are 10 of the best beaches in and around Batemans Bay.

1. Broulee Beach

You will see surfers slogging through the churning waves at this beautiful beach break which is surrounded by a tangle of rich greenery.

sunset at Broulee Beach
Surf until dusk at Broulee Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

The long curve of beach is protected by Broulee Island, some 20 kilometres from Batemans Bay, and is known to surfers who you will find huddled around the lookout gazing out to sea.

You can’t go to Broulee Beach without visiting Mossy Point Cafe. It’s one of the best places to enjoy coffee and breakfast in Batemans Bay. Want to learn to surf? Hit up one of the salty-haired instructors at Broulee Surf School. It’s one of the best things to do in Batemans Bay.

kids holding surfboards at Surf the Bay Surf School, Broulee Beach
Sign up your kids for surfing lessons at Surf the Bay Surf School. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: This is a favourite beach for surfers, fishos and families. In fact, it has some of the best surf on the NSW South Coast.

2. Corrigans Beach

This calm cove is on the bucket-and-spade lists of families road-tripping to the NSW South Coast. Located just four kilometres south of Batemans Bay, it is known for its calm pearly waters and glassy conditions and proximity to local cafes. Corrigans Beach is in Batehaven and has two concrete boat ramps protected by a break wall, which makes it a lure for fishermen and women.

an aerial view of Corrigans Beach
Laze on the long stretch of cream sand at Corrigans Beach.

Best for: Fisher folk and families who flit back and forth between the beach and the playground at Corrigans Beach Reserve. There is an off-leash area at this beach so worth a detour for those with dogs.

3. Denhams Beach

Denhams Beach is the most northerly beach in a string of three Batemans Bay beaches that bracelet the NSW South Coast. Although it’s ostensibly in suburbia, it’s very much an in-the-know destination for Canberrans who have been keeping it on the down-low for decades. It is the first surf beach that is set to the south of Batemans Bay and it’s a popular beach for beginners. Go with the current of locals flowing down from their holiday houses and keep an eye out for dolphins.

the sea view of Denhams Beach, Batemans Bay
Learn to surf up the northern end of Batemans Bay at Denhams Beach.

Best for: Families and those who want to learn to surf at one of Batemans Bay beaches.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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4. Long Beach

Long Beach is a suburb of Batemans Bay in the Eurobodalla Shire. Bring some coffee in a thermos, pack your fishing rod and a camp chair and walk to one of the rock ledges in the bays that link up to Long Beach. Long Beach stretches from Square Head to Chain Bay with a small headland that divides Long Beach from Maloneys Beach. There are tables here that are prime real estate for picnics. Pick up some oysters and fresh seafood and enjoy.

Best for: Long beach walks and recreational fishing; this Batemans Bay beach lies on the north bank of the Clyde. Pick up some oysters to enjoy a picnic.

5. Mossy Point Beach

There are a lot of must-dos in Mossy Point. It’s one of the boho-chic outlying villages in Batemans Bay and it’s as low-key as it is lovely. Fuel up on coffee from The Mossy Cafe and head into the cold bright day with Region X on a half-day sea kayak tour. You can also choose your own adventure and carve off up Candlagan Creek, which is popular with families with little ones as it’s a protected place to swim.

Best for: Spotting sting rays that congregate around the Mossy Point Boat Ramp. Spot whales during the season, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, turtles and sea eagles.

6. Malua Bay Beach

They come in a steady line. Birdwatchers with binoculars. A fisherman who looks like he’s pulled an all-nighter. A family trying to tucker out their kids ahead of their daytime nap.

a family spending time at Malua Bay Beach
Opt for a family beach getaway at Malua Bay Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

This is a patrolled beach during summer and is popular year-round as some great accommodation options are nearby. Malua Bay is also one of the most consistent beaches for surfing – a fact validated by the clots of surfers who you will see here at dusk and dawn, their eyes like shutters, squinting at the horizon.

a couple holding hands at the Malua Bay Beach
Spend quality time with your boo at Malua Bay Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for: Surfers and families who base themselves here during a Batemans Bay beach holiday.

7. Surf Beach

Head to this Batemans Bay beach before dawn and your footprints are likely to be the first imprinted in the sand. A couple walking their labradoodle might follow. Or a young couple with a baby who tumble down to the low tide to splash in the shallows. It won’t be too long after this that you will see instructors from one of the local surf schools pulling into the car park.

These are just a few of the scenarios that might play out at Surf Beach, which is a patrolled beach during summer. Dogs are permitted at the Surf Beach Reserve.

sunset views at Surf Beach, Batemans Bay
Splash in the shallows at Surf Beach.

Best for: Beginner surfers who will appreciate the gentle ocean break. Sign up for a lesson with one of the local surf schools.

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8. Tomakin Beach

Dog lovers unite at Tomakin Beach, which has a 24-hour off-leash area for dogs. It’s also worth a detour for keen snorkellers as the water is clear and calm. Craggy rock formations bookend the beach and is a popular place to swim and fish.

an aerial view of Tomakin Beach, Batemans Bay
Tomakin Beach is one of the pet-friendly beaches in Batemans Bay. (Image: John Hicks; Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

The dog-friendly section of the beach stretches from Tomaga River Beach and from Cove Beach headland to the boat ramp at Mossy Point. Wanna see some stingrays? Head here at dusk when the sky explodes with colour and the rays are most active.

Labrador on Tomakin Beach
Dog lovers unite at Tomakin Beach.

Best for: Those with a penchant for a pet-friendly holiday in Batemans Bay.

9. Wimbie Beach

Wander along Wimbie Beach when the sun is bouncing off the sea in the early morning light. It’s the best time of day to launch a kayak, walk the dogs (on a time-share basis), or fossick about in the rock pools with your kids. Bring your boogie boards to push the kids off on a few waves. And bring your binoculars to try and catch a glimpse of the resident dolphins or whales (during the season).

the Wimbie Beach in Batemans Bay
Stroll with your fur babies along Wimbie Beach.

Best for: Families with fur babies who don’t want to stray too far from shops and cafes.

10. Caseys Beach 

Caseys Beach is like a curved bracket in front of the seaside village of Batehaven. It is protected by a seawall and flanked by rocky headlands where you will find seagulls pecking about in the rock pools. And sea eagles soaring overhead. Visit at dawn and dusk to avoid the glare of the bright sunshine so you can be in a position to spot dolphins, which make regular cameos off the coast here. It’s fabulous to see how serious the locals are about their lifestyle here. Polish up on your beach talk. “Day for it." “How good is this?" “Alright for some!"

Best for: Swimming and fish and chips by the sea – read our pick of the top places to eat in Batemans Bay for some pointers.

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au