Finding the best beaches in Port Stephens unlocks secrets right on your doorstep. It’s a great option for a weekend break in your campervan or going on the water in your boat.
The best beaches in Port Stephens offer crystalline waters and golden beaches, while picturesque small towns teem with life and cater to all walks of life.
It’s not just their coastal location that makes Port Stephens beaches prosper. Within easy reach of Newcastle, the area is loved by locals just as much as it is by curious tourists.
Added local business means the area has a vibrant feel all year round. You can feel this no matter if you’re at Nelson Bay or Karuah. With so much to enjoy, what are the best beaches in Port Stephens to discover?
The best beaches in Port Stephens revealed
One Mile Beach
Out of all the Port Stephens beaches, One Mile Beach is perhaps the most popular. It’s not hard to see why though. It’s one of the calmer spots along the coastline making it ideal for families to enjoy. The water itself is calm enough to swim enough for all abilities. There are also regular patrols in the summer months for added safety and ease of comfort.
When the weather does pick up, there are also strong enough breaks to create good surfing conditions. It makes it a great place to surf for both amateurs and experienced pros alike. Its 1.3km length also means overcrowding shouldn’t be a problem even at peak tourist season. Should anyone want to stay overnight, the camping ground at Samurai Beach is nestled amongst the dunes bordering the beach. All this combines to make it one of the best beaches in Port Stephens.
Fingal Beach
The curved shape of Fingal Beach is one of the region’s most photographed. And it brings in the crowds. But there’s a reason for this. It offers something for everybody. Conditions within Fingal Bay are naturally suited for water activity. So you will always find people enjoying the ocean. Whether it is on a boat, surfing or snorkelling, you can enjoy it all at Fingal Beach.
As there’s always constant activity at Fingal Beach, it is always regularly patrolled. It makes it one of the safer spots to swim along Port Stephens. The northern tip at Fingal Spit also offers a great vantage point for scenic photos making it a great spot for family snapshots or capturing a dramatic sunset. The beach also backs on to the vibrant town of Fingal Bay adding to a real buzz across the beach. A great way to experience one of the best beaches in Port Stephens any time of year.
Bagnalls Beach
Bagnalls Beach has more going for it than others might think. Nestled between Corlette and Nelson Bay, this small narrow beach looks unassuming to many. Yet, its narrow strip of white sands could be mistaken for any postcard picture from the South Pacific. The water here is calm and shallow offering excellent swimming opportunities.
It’s the perfect place for families to get out and enjoy too. Several parks and paths run adjacent to the sand. That makes it the perfect spot for family picnics and an evening BBQ. As it is out of the centre of Nelson Bay, the beach doesn’t get crowds like Dutchman’s Bay Beach or Nelson Bay Beach might either. All this combines to make it one of the best beaches in Port Stephens to enjoy without the crowds.
Sunset Beach
Nothing beats watching a gorgeous evening sunset. So the appropriately named Sunset Beach provides the perfect snapshot opportunity. Looking across Port Stephens on the western tip of Soldiers Point, expect stunning seascapes as you gaze across the water. There are no dramatic cliff-falls or horizons but the colours shimmering across the calm water ripples never disappoint.
The calm nature of the water at Sunset Beach doesn’t just make for a good photo op. It’s also a great place to take a quick dip at any time of day. It’s home to some of the calmer waters in the bay so take a dip when high tide hits the beach during daylight hours. With its close proximity to Soldiers Point, there’s a relaxed vibe to the area no matter when you visit. It all adds to one of the best atmospheres at any of Port Stephens beaches.
Shoal Bay Beach
There’s always something to discover when heading to Shoal Bay Beach. Fully accessible from Shoal Bay itself, the long curved beach hugs the town foreshore and winds along to nearby Mount Tomaree. The surrounding headlands make for ideal water conditions for all spots. The clear waters make for great snorkelling opportunities – especially with regular visitors like cuttlefishes and seahorses.
During peak season, the water is relatively calm and with few swells. This makes it ideal for fishing in the clear blue waters below or exploring on a paddleboard. The eastern portion of the beach gets rockier towards Mount Tomaree and is great for exploring outcrops against the headland. All this combines for a beach that always has activity. A mix that is unrivalled amongst many nearby Port Stephens beaches.
Wreck Beach
For those feeling adventurous, Wreck Bay is calling your name. This small and secluded beach within Tomaree National Park is nestled among a small cove making access much harder than other nearby beaches. Thanks to its cliff-side location, expect strong swells that are not for the faint-hearted. It’s perfect for experienced surfers or those wanting to fish in rougher waters. However, swimming here is not recommended.
It’s not just a spot for adrenaline junkies though. On calmer days, this small cove makes for the perfect photograph. Not only does Wreck Beach’s pristine white sands look stunning, but the dramatic setting of the headlands adds to some great shots – no matter when you want to take a picture. Given that the beach lacks many of the crowds of more popular spots, Wreck Beach is one of the best beaches in Port Stephens for secluded adventures.
Birubi Beach
For many, Birubi Beach is the gateway to exploring the last untamed part of Port Stephens. Next to Anna Bay, Birubi Beach marks the start of 30km of dunes and beaches. Opening out onto the Stockton Sand Dunes in Worimi National Park, you can head out and see just what is hiding amongst the dunes and nearby grasslands. It’s the perfect place for exploring in a 4WD and seeing what gems you might discover.
Birubi Beach itself is worth enjoying too. It attracts surfers of all levels due to the range of swells that can develop in the area. Calm waters make for ideal conditions for beginners. However, rougher waters lead to bigger swells – catching the eye of seasoned pros. After a day on the beach, visitors can also explore Anna Bay itself – one of the area’s most charming and thriving coastal towns. All this combines to make Birubi one of the best beaches in Port Stephens to enjoy – no matter what your interest may be.
Conclusion
It’s not hard to see why many of the best beaches in Port Stephens are thriving all year round. There’s something to find no matter what area of the coastline you explore. If you want to swim, places like One Mile Beach and Fingal Beach offer ideal swimming conditions with patrols nearby for added security.
Should you want to explore the coastline, Birubi Beach and Wreck Beach let you discover stunning coastlines and pristine seascapes. Meanwhile, the likes of Sunset Beach and Bagnall Beach offer excellent snapshots without the crowds of their famous neighbours. No matter what you are looking for though, you will always enjoy your time next to the water at some of the best beaches in Port Stephens.
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Our award-winning team of boat finance lending experts are ready to serve you. Call us on 1300 28 57 67 or email approvals@dealify.au today, so you can enjoy the best beaches in Port Stephens today.
