9 of the best beaches in & around Port Stephens

Shoal Bay Beach 

This perfect arc of white sand runs between Tomaree Head and the Nelson Head Lighthouse. The water is generally calm, making it ideal for families or watersports like stand-up paddleboarding. You can even go snorkelling in the vast seagrass meadows, which are home to seahorses, cuttlefish, pipefish and flathead. 

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens

One Mile Beach 

Though it doesn’t quite live up to its name, One Mile Beach stretches an impressive 1.3 kilometres around the southern edge of the Port Stephens peninsula. It’s patrolled by lifeguards all year round and the calmer southern end is great for little kids. If you want to learn to surf, this is the place for it – join Port Stephens Surf School for a lesson on the small, reliable waves. 

One Mile Beach, Port Stephens - Credit: Jarryd Salem

Birubi Beach 

Set just next to the village of Anna Bay, Birubi Beach offers sparkling ocean on one side and a world of adventure on the other. It’s the northern gateway to the Worimi Conservation Lands, where sandboarding, quad biking and four-wheel driving await. You can also explore the beach from the saddle with Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides. 

Oakfield Ranch Camel Rides, Birubi Beach

Zenith Beach 

Tucked at the base of Tomaree Head, the spectacular Zenith Beach is surrounded by rugged, rocky headlands and only accessible on foot. Its powder-white sand and turquoise water make it one of the most photographed beaches in the area. For a bird's-eye view, hike the Tomaree Head Summit Walk which looks down over the beach. Be aware that the water can be rough and there are no lifeguards, so swim with caution. 

Zenith Beach, Port Stephens

Little Beach 

This small stretch of sand is in between Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay, and is very popular with families. The calm waters are perfect for paddling and there’s a large grassy area with a playground. Turtles are sometimes spotted here, so pack your snorkel, and you can also fish off the jetty. At lunchtime, Little Beach Boathouse is just steps from the sand. 

Little Beach, Port Stephens

Stockton Beach 

Extending for more than 30 kilometres, Stockton Beach is by far the longest in Port Stephens. It backs on to the famed Stockton Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands. The largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere are an outdoor playground. Join Sand Dune Adventures for a thrilling quad bike tour or test your balance on a sandboard with Sand Dune Safaris. 

Stockton Sand Dunes, Port Stephens

Fingal Bay Beach 

If you’re looking for the best all round beach, Fingal Bay might just be it. The sand is sugar-white, the water is clear and calm enough for little ones, and it’s a mecca for watersports. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards over summer and is also a base for Port Stephens Surf School. At the northern end if Fingal Spit, a sand bridge that stretches out towards Fingal Island. 

Fingal Bay Beach, Port Stephens

Wreck Beach 

One of Port Stephens’ best-kept secrets, Wreck Beach is a tiny pocket of sand inside the Tomaree National Park, to the west of Shoal Bay. You’ll need to walk the two-kilometre track to reach it, but will be rewarded with gorgeous scenery and possibly the beach all to yourself. Rips may be present in the water here, so check the conditions and swim with caution. 

Wreck Beach walk, Shoal Bay - Credit: John Spence | DCCEEW

Samurai Beach

No swimsuit? No problem. Samurai Beach is a dedicated ‘clothing optional’ beach, so if you want to strip down for a swim au naturel, this is your place. Wild and secluded, this beach will make you feel as though you’re on the edge of the earth. It’s only accessible by four-wheel driving and is also popular for beach driving and surfing (experienced surfers only). 

Samurai Beach, Tomaree National Park - Credit: Jim Cutler | DCCEEW