Best Beaches in Port Stephens: A Local Guide to Choosing the Right One

Did you know that Port Stephens has 26 beautiful beaches? Each one has its own character. This Guide to the Best Beaches in Port Stephens tells you everything you need to know about each beach.

Quick Guide to Port Stephens Beaches (Choose Fast)

Beach	Best For	Water Conditions	Facilities	Access & Notes
Shoal Bay	Calm swimming, families, scenic views	Usually very calm (bay beach)	Toilets, cafés, parking	Popular and can get busy; beautiful views of Tomaree Head. All paid parking.
Nelson Bay (Foreshore)	Calm water, easy access, short swims, convenience	Sheltered and gentle	Amenities, playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment, marina nearby	Great if staying in town; parking is all paid and challenging
Fingal Bay Beach	Long walks, scenery, quieter feel	Can have surf; varies with swell	Surf club, parking. lifeguards in summer months	Spacious and less crowded; avoid crossing the spit
Zenith Beach	Natural beauty, photography, experienced swimmers	Exposed ocean beach	Limited facilities	Stunning but can be hazardous; not ideal for young children
Little Beach Reserve	Very young children, picnics	Extremely calm	Toilets, BBQs, shade, playground, netted swimming area with disabled access	One of the safest swimming spots in the area
Boat Harbour	Snorkelling, quiet escape	Generally calm but can change	Amenities, picnic tables	Small, scenic cove—check conditions before entering water
One Mile Beach	Surfing, families	Surf conditions; patrolled seasonally	Parking, amenities, cafe	Surfer’s pick of beaches. Good learning conditions
Birubi Beach	Sand dunes, beach walks, families	Surf conditions; patrolled seasonally	Parking, toilets, cafés	Main access to the dunes and activities
Stockton Beach	4WD, fishing, remote experience	Exposed and powerful	Very limited	Vast and rugged; suited to experienced visitors
Tanilba Bay	Quiet relaxation, kayaking	Calm estuary waters	Basic facilities, playgrounds, nearby shops	Peaceful Tilligerry Peninsula location
Dutchmans Beach	Families, easy swimming	Gentle and sheltered	Toilets, picnic areas	Reliable all-rounder for a relaxed beach day
Bagnall Beach (Corlette)	Dog walking (check zones), sunsets	Usually calm	Toilets, picnic areas, kids playground	Local favourite, quieter than nearby beaches
Corlette Beach	Laid-back swims, kayaking	Sheltered	Toilets, picnic areas	Scenic residential stretch along the bay
Sunrise Beach	Seclusion, nature	Can be rough/open	Toilets, picnic table, children’s playground	Remote feel; check access and conditions
Henderson Park (Lemon Tree Passage)	Families, picnics, calm water	Very calm estuary	Toilets, picnic and BBQ areas, shade, playground, netted swimming	Ideal for children; more parkland waterfront

Calm Sheltered Beaches for Swimming

If you’re visiting with kids or just want to paddle safely, beaches like Shoal Bay, Little Beach, and Dutchmans Beach are ideal. These shores have gentle water, easy access, and nearby facilities, making them perfect for family days, picnics, or beginner swimmers.

Shoal Bay

Shoal Bay is simply stunning. It is a huge bay with crystal clear waters overlooked by Tomaree Headland. At the eastern end, the beach slopes away gently offering a safe beach for little people and less confident swimmers. It leads to seagrass. The adjacent rock wall provides excellent snorkeling and fishing and the flathead are huge – that’s if you can see them!

Further towards town there is an excellent boat ramp.

In front of the Shoal Bay Country Club is the Shoal Bay Jetty where all the kids get their formal photos. It is awesome for jumping off into the deep clear water. It’s almost impossible to touch the bottom. It gets very busy in summer.

On the western side of the jetty, the beach drops away quite quickly into deep water with a sandy bottom.

There are toilets, showers, BBQ and picnic facilities. There are also many eateries overlooking the bay. It’s all paid parking along the beach. Parking in school holidays is horrendous so arrive early.

🛑 Don’t pay for parking if you are a Port Stephens resident. Register now for free parking with Port Stephens Council.

Feeling a bit adventurous? Shoal Bay SUP offers 1.5hour kayak or SUP tours, or you can hire their SUP or crystal-clear kayaks and see the fish and sea grass, maybe even a squid, everything you paddle over. How cool is that?

Check out this weekend guide for where to stay, where to eat and things to do in Shoal Bay.

Little Beach Reserve

Little Beach Reserve is one of my favourite places. So beautiful that we chose to get married right on its golden sands!

A large grassy picnic area leading down to the sandy beach and calm water. There is a netted swimming area with disabled access directly into the water. There are toilets, showers, picnic facilities and a playground and is a great spot for families.

The beach boasts a boat ramp, jetty and fish cleaning table popular with friendly pelicans.

However, I recommend avoid the beach from Christmas to the middle of January as it becomes jam packed and gets over-run by jet skis.

Nelson Bay

Nelson Bay Beach is a calm easy entry beach which is an easy walk from accommodation in Nelson Bay. It is located right next to D’Albora Marina. In summer, an AquaPark is set up for the kids (and fit adults) at the Marina end. It is also your go to beach for the NYE and Australia Day fireworks.

Parking is all paid and is difficult on weekends and school holidays with it being located to the dolphin watching and whale watching cruise dock.

Facilities include BBQ and picnic areas, kids playground (closer to the marina), outdoor exercise equipment. There is limited shade.

Best Beaches for Families with Kids

Boat Harbour

This gorgeous safe little beach has a gently sloping sandy sea floor. The beach is protected by rock walls on either side of the bay. It is a great spot for snorkeling and the spear fishermen love exploring the rock walls.

There are public toilets, picnic and BBQ facilities. There is also a beach boat ramp which makes access simple. Adjacent to the beach is a dog friendly headland. Dogs are also allowed on the beach within restricted times.

Take a short walk south and you will come across the Boat Harbour Whale Watching Lookout. From May to November it’s a fabulous spot to see whales. Sometimes they come in quite close but often binoculars come in handy.

Read more about whale watching in Port Stephens

Dutchman’s Beach (Dutchies)

Dutchies is a quiet beach with a gentle sloping beach to a sandy bottom. A little further out, the sand gives way to a seagrass bed. At the eastern end, there is a headland. The water under the headland is known as the Pipeline and has excellent snorkelling with some huge flathead calling it home. The beach is largely protected from the current, but keep the kids out of the Pipeline between high and low tide as the current rages through here.

How to spend a weekend in Port Stephens with kids

Henderson Park – Lemon Tree Passage

Henderson Park is located on the eastern tip of the Tilligerry Peninsular in Lemon Tree Passage. It has an awesome shaded children’s playground adjacent to a netted swimming area with a surrounding wharf to allow kids to jump into the water. It also has a little sandy beach which can become a little muddy at low tide.

There are picnic and BBQ facilities, showers, changerooms and toilets.

John Dory’s is next to the park if you prefer fish and chips or a hamburger. Whilst the kids play, parents may wish to spoil themselves with a cocktail from the Distillery (just behind John Dory’s). Gin cocktails can be purchased in take away cups!

Surf Beaches and Ocean-Facing Coastline

For those chasing waves or adventure, One Mile Beach and the northern stretches of Stockton Beach offer great surf conditions. These beaches are better suited to experienced swimmers and surfers, and are also where you’ll find guided 4WD dune tours, sandboarding, and other active experiences.

Remember to swim between the flags and read the waves before entering the water. Can’t read the waves – read How to Identify Rips on Australian Beaches

Birubi Beach

Birubi Beach is located at the northern end of Stockton Beach, this is the main entrance to the sand dunes. If you want to try sandboarding, camel rides, or guided 4WD tours, head to Stockton Sand Dunes – Australia’s Largest Moving Sand Dune.

It is also a great surf beach and is patrolled by professional lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers from September to April – generally from 9am-4pm. You’ll also see the kite surfers jumping in the waves when it is windy.

Enjoy a meal at Crest Birubi Beach, with excellent bistro meals and share plates in an open air terrace and beach views. It’s open from 8am – 3pm daily. It’s very popular and bookings are recommended on weekends and school holidays. You can also get a bite to eat at the Surf Club Cafe.

Toilets including disabled toilets, showers and change facilities are available.

There is also a section of the beach that is dog friendly.

A note of warning though, in summer when it is hot and very windy, the sand whips up and is very unpleasant.

Don’t forget to look up. During the week, it is common to see the fighter jets flying down the coast. They just aren’t where the noise is coming from!

Stockton Beach

Stockton Beach stretches 32 kms from Stockton in the south to Anna Bay in the north with the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the southern hemisphere rising up to 30m along its length.

The southern end is easily accessed by the Newcastle Harbour ferry from Newcastle to Stockton and then a short walk from the ferry terminal. There is an adventure playground near the ferry terminal for the kids. You can also take a walk along the foreshore and learn about the history of the port and along the Shipwreck Walk on break wall and see the ship wreck Aldolphe.

Stockton Beach is known for quad biking, 4WD adventures, surfing and fishing. Want to know more? Check out our Guide to Stockton Sand Dunes.

One Mile Beach

As the name suggests, One Mile Beach is one mile long. Who would have thought? It’s a beautiful surf beach accessed along several sandy tracks across the sand dunes. It is patrolled by professional life guards year round from 9am to 4pm.

The main access with carpark is at the end of Hannah Parade adjacent to Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach. There are toilet facilities and a The Beach House Restaurant and Cafe.

One Mile Beach has a nice gentle break for beginner surfers and a section closer to the headland for more advanced surfers. If you think surfing looks like fun, it is. Why not give it a go with Port Stephens Surf School. These guys are excellent and will get you surfing the waves on your first lesson.

Samurai Beach

Samurai Beach is a clothing optional beach accessed from a 4WD track next to the Koala Sanctuary. Make sure you know what you are doing if you attempt the track. I’ve seen lots of people become stuck in the soft sand.

It is also accessible via walking track adjacent to the 4WD trail or the Tomaree Coast Walk.

Zenith Beach

Zenith Beach is your go to surf beach for that Insta worthy photo. Prime time for the best photos is dawn as the sun peaks over Tomaree Headland. Personally, I’m not a fan of getting up that early. It is accessed from a carpark via a short trail across the sand dunes.

Other surf beaches

The following surf beaches are unpatrolled. Conditions should be assessed before entering the water and should only be attempted by strong swimmers with a good understanding of rips. These are isolated beaches and better for relaxing on the sand.

• Kingsley
• Little Kingsley
• Wreck Beach
• Box Beach

Quieter Beaches Away From Crowds

For a peaceful escape or photography, head to Fingal Beach and Tilligerry Peninsula. These spots are less crowded and perfect for sunrise walks, wildlife spotting, or a relaxing day by the water without the busier tourist vibe.

Fingal Beach

Fingal Beach is a family friendly patrolled beach with white sandy beach and calm waters. It is popular for swimming, surfing and fishing. Remember to always swim between the flags.

There is a boat ramp for beach launching a boat. It also offers spectacular sunrises.

There are toilets, showers and picnic facilities.

The beach is dog friendly with some restrictions but is not off leash. Nearby within the Fingal Bay Foreshore Reserve there is a large fully enclosed do exercise area for your furry friend to really stretch their legs.

Corlette Beach

Corlette Beach is a secluded beach in residential area with excellent calm swimming.

There is a small grassy park with picnic and toilet facilities. The carpark has about 10 spots and is free.

Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach is a long strip of sand lined with private homes. There is only one park area with toilets, picnic facilities and a small children’s playground. There are several other access points with no facilities.

It provides calm flat water for swimming but get blown out in the summer afternoon Noreasterly winds.

Tanilba Bay

Tanilba Bay is a large bay with several access points for swimming in the calm water. This is located in the western harbour of Port Stephens so the water tends not to be as clear as those closer to the headland.

There are 3 kids playgrounds with toilets, picnic and BBQ facilities and heaps of shade. At high tide, the sandy beach disappears below the water. At low tide there are sandy flats to explore.

How Weather Changes which Beach You Should Choose

Facilities, Access and Parking

The most popular beaches in Port Stephens are well provided with toilets and picnic tables.

The patrolled surf beaches also have showers to wash off the sand.

Some of the quieter beaches have parkland with children’s playgrounds.

Boat Ramps can be found at Shoal Bay, Little Beach Reserve, Fingal Beach, Boat Harbour for easy access for kayaks.

Dog Friendly Beaches

If you’re bringing your furry friend, there are several beaches and coastal areas where dogs can run free or are allowed on-leash. Dog-friendly sections at Birubi Beach and selected off-leash parks nearby let your pup enjoy the sand and surf safely.

Other dog friendly beaches to consider are:

• Bagnall’s Beach
• Boat Habour
• Fingal Beach
• Stockton Beach
• Tanilba Bay

Be sure to check local rules before visiting.

Which Port Stephens Beach is Right For You?

Port Stephens is home to a stunning variety of beaches, each with its own vibe, conditions, and activities. Whether you’re after calm waters for a family swim, soft sands for your dog to run free, surf-ready waves, or a quiet spot to watch the sunset, choosing the right beach can make all the difference. This guide will help you match your visit to the perfect beach based on your needs, from family-friendly shores and dog-friendly spots to adventure-focused dunes and surf breaks.

Need calm water → Shoal Bay / Little Beach cool activities → Birubi

Want to surf – Birubi, One Mile

Travelling with kids → Dutchmans, Little Beach, Henderson Park – Lemon Tree Passage

Want quieter scenery → Fingal Beach / Tanilba Bay

With so many beautiful and diverse الساحlines, Port Stephens truly has a beach for every kind of visitor — whether you’re seeking calm, परिवार-friendly waters, wide open sands for walking, thrilling surf, or a quiet spot to simply take in the view. Each beach offers its own character, shaped by the bay, the ocean, and the ever-changing coastal conditions that make this region so special.

Now that you know what each beach has to offer, it’s time to explore them for yourself. Slow down, follow the coastline, and discover your own favourite stretch of sand — because one of the best things about Port Stephens is that there’s always another beautiful beach waiting just around the corner.

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