Beaches in Port Stephens

Clear turquoise blue waters, soft white sand and 26 beautiful beaches await in Port Stephens. With the tranquil bay on one side and Pacific Ocean on the other, there’s a range of coastal experiences to enjoy in this beachside paradise on the NSW North Coast. Discover incredible surf in the magnificent Tomaree National Park or find sheltered bays for swimming and stand up paddle boarding.

The Port Stephens – Great Lakes Marine Park is full of postcard-perfect beaches, and home to underwater gardens, islands and rock pools. It’s also a playground for dolphins, whales, turtles and fish. For a spectacular panorama of the bay, beaches and beyond, the Tomaree Head summit walk is a rewarding experience.

Watery adventures

There are many surf beaches in Port Stephens, providing great surfing for all levels. Beginners can take surf lessons with Port Stephens Surf School at One Mile Beach or Fingal Bay Beach, which are also popular with experienced surfers. Lesser-known Samurai Beach is another good surf spot, along with Zenith and Box beaches near Tomaree Head.

Try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking at Dutchmans Beach and Shoal Bay, and snorkelling or diving at Fly Point – Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve, located between Nelson Bay and Little Beach. Keep your eyes peeled, and you may spot blue groupers, octopus and seahorses. You can also join a fishing charter and dolphin or whale-watching cruise.

Beach picnics & barbecues

You’ll find picnic tables and barbecue facilities in pretty reserves at a number of beaches, including Bagnalls Beach, Dutchmans Beach and Little Beach, all near Nelson Bay. There are also barbecue facilities near Shoal Bay’s sandy strip, the stunning Fingal Bay Beach and gorgeous One Mile Beach.

Sand dunes

The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes are the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere and nicknamed the Golden Bight. Part of the Worimi Conservation Lands, the dunes are home to ancient Aboriginal cultural sites, as well as beautiful Birubi and Stockton beaches.

Explore the towering sandscape, stunning beaches, indigenous heritage and shipwrecks along the Golden Bight on a fun range of adventure tours. Choose from sandboarding, quad biking, 4WD touring and horse riding. You can also take your own 4WD onto the beach after buying a valid permit.