Best beach spots

It’s been a busy season for our beaches, with more and more people discovering the incredible breaks and relatively safe swim spots scattered throughout the Shellharbour region, making them perfect for people of all ages and abilities.

Not a pro? No worries.

From the main beaches in the north of Shellharbour North, Shellharbour South, ‘The Farm’ and Mystics, to Windang Island, there is no shortage of swell. For the big-wave chasers there’s plenty for you to enjoy too – Shallows, Sharkies, Cowries, Mads, Pool Bommie to the points, reefs and straight off the sand. It’s an exciting pastime and one that is producing some incredible, world-class talent.

Here are some of our favourite spots around Shell Cove:

The Farm + Mystics.
Let’s start in the designated National Surfing Reserve. Naturally.

The Farm (at Killalea Beach) has become one of the most popular destinations for surfers near and far; it’s spectacular, protected and arguably the best left-hand point break on the South Coast. Next to the south is Mystics (at Minnamurra Beach), another popular option that can produce some incredible swell. Consistently.

And they’re both just spectacular places. Waves or not, it’s worth exploring.

Shellharbour North Beach
One of the most well-known beaches in Shellharbour City is Shellharbour North Beach. This clean sandy beach is patrolled during summer on the northern and southern ends.

Shellharbour North Beach is an east-facing one-kilometre-long coastline stretch and just a great spot for beginners or eager surfers to hone their skills.

Another incredible perk is the accessible facilities, with a Beach Wheelchair available with a sand mat providing direct access to the water’s edge. The beach wheelchair is available when lifeguards are on patrol. When the chair is not in use, it is secured adjacent to the car park. Bookings are not required; however, a combination code is needed for access. Please see one of the on-duty lifeguards to obtain the access code or contact Shellharbour City Council.

Shellharbour South Beach
Bookending Shellharbour Village with its northern ally, South Beach, is a popular destination for locals; during peak seasons, you’ll find it’s quieter than the north yet still offering a similar wave selection.

The white-water waves on South Beach are great on lower tides or green waves during small wave days and higher tides. This area is notorious for rips, so it’s worth being aware and alert. Swim between the flags when patrolled, and make sure you’re never surfing alone!

The Shallows
Located on the way out to Bass Point. The Shallows is a relatively gentle reef (and rocky) break for those wanting to get off the sand and into a slower-moving wave. While it can look daunting, it does produce an excellent wave for SUP riders and mals, and the outlook is pretty spectacular - it is worth exploring!

Warilla Beach
Warilla Beach is a popular surfing and swimming beach between Windang Island and Barrack Point. Patrolled for the seven-month season, this beach is open to plenty of swell and offers excellent surfing waves – and when the waves are on, the points at either end can attract some of the best surfers in the world!

Windang Island
Not for the beginner, Windang Island has a reputation for big waves and even bigger wipe-outs. The waves wrap around the point of the Island, and on a good day, you can find yourself riding it almost into the sands of Warilla Beach – if you get through the gutter. The rocky outcrops of the Island are worth exploring when the swells allow, but they cop a severe beating in serious swell – which is equally as spectacular to watch.

There is absolutely no shortage of places to try and if you’re keen to give it a go but have no idea where or how to start, give Vaya and the incredible instructions at Pines Surfing Academy a call – they’ll have you out and amongst the waves in no time!