SHELLHARBOUR SOUTH BEACH
Located between Shellharbour Village and Bass Point, Shellharbour South Beach is just minutes from Shell Cove. Shellharbour South Beach faces south east and offers a long stretch of beach ideal for swimming, body boarding, surfing, fishing, relaxing or walking along the water’s edge. Here families can enjoy the northern end of the beach which is patrolled 7 days a week from mid December until the end of January and on weekends from February until the end of April. Surfers will also have plenty of choice with various breaks including the Shallows and Redsands, while fishing enthusiasts can head to the rock ledges which provide good fishing spots all year round.
On the south side of Shellharbour a rock platform extends 300 m seaward, and forms the northern boundary of the southern Shellharbour Beach, a curving 1 km south-southeast-facing beach that extends to the base of Bass Point, where the sand merges with the basalt cobbles eroded from the point. A caravan park lies behind the northern rocks, with a beach car park on the southern side. The road to Bass Point runs between the low dune and Shellharbour Swamp, with the usually dammed mouth breaking out across the southern end of the beach during rain.
Proposals have been put forward to build a marina in the swamp with access to the sea, but in 2006 the beach remains in a relatively natural state. Waves from the east and southeast are reduced by Bass Point resulting in waves averaging 1 m in the north dropping to 0.5 m in the south. These usually maintain a continuous attached bar, cut by up to six rips during higher southeast swell when a strong rip can develop against the northern rocks, and during summer northeast wave conditions.
Swimming
The southern end of the north beach is patrolled and provides the best location for swimming. Avoid the rips particularly if swimming up the beach. The harbour beach is unsuitable owing to boat traffic, however the rock pool is not only safe but also patrolled by a lifeguard from Christmas to Easter, as is the southern beach.
Surfing
There are beach breaks along main beach, while off the southern rocks is a hollow right-hander called Cowries, which works best in moderate east to southeast swell. There is no surf in the harbour but there is a right off the pool called The Pool and a left called Shatters.
This spectacular beach is offered some shelter from the predominate north-east winds and most of the summer swells. This is a perfect location for people who like to avoid the crowds of our other beaches.
Fishing
Good rock platforms at the ends of each beach, plus beach gutters following high seas, while the harbour has a boat ramp.
COVID-19 Safety Conditions
Please adhere to the following conditions to help keep everyone safe this swim season:
– Swim & go
– Keep towel length apart (1.5m)
– Maintain 1 person per 4 square metres
– Stay home if you feel unwell
– Avoid unnecessary mingling
– Maintain good hygiene
– Minimise use of communal facilities
Facilities:
Patrolled beach (seasonal)
Public toilet
