The Best Beaches in Jervis Bay

Famed for its dazzling stretch of powder-white sand lapped by turquoise water, Hyams Beach stretches from Hyams Beach Town to Jervis Bay Village, 2km to the south. Like all beaches inside the bay it receives little swell, making it popular with families. Hyams Beach draws big crowds in summer, however, so if you’re looking for a quiet stretch of sand this might not be the place for you.

A small sheltered bay on the Beecroft Peninsula, 10km (6mi) south of Currarong, Honeymoon Bay is about as romantic as South Coast beaches get. With the sides of the bay nearly meeting at the middle it’s more like a swimming pool, with ultra-clear water perfect for snorkelling. Closed on most weekdays (when the peninsula is used by the Australian Defense Force) and when the car park reaches capacity, this is a weekend beach day worth starting early.

Located in Booderee National Park, which covers most of Jervis Bay’s southern peninsula, Caves Beach was named for a network of sea caves at the southern end of the beach (near the car park) that can be explored at low tide. Well-maintained barbecue facilities and a picnic area (where you might spot a kangaroo or two) make this long Pacific Ocean beach a great place to spend a day, particularly if you prefer a beach with a bit of swell.

Also in Booderee National Park, Murrays Beach is tucked just inside the mouth of Jervis Bay. Sheltered by Bowen Island, just offshore, this tiny protected beach is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, with many self-guided walks to explore beyond the breach. If you come here in the evening, you may even spot little penguins yapping to one another as they head home to Bowen Island after feeding in Jervis Bay Marine Park during the day.

Surrounded by the coastal bushland of Jervis Bay National Park, this small, scenic bay north of Hyams Beach has a spectacular white-sand beach as well as a large grassy picnic area with barbecues, tables, toilets and showers, and plenty of parking. If you fancy a walk after lunch, the trailheads for the White Sands Walk (which traces the coast) and Scribbly Gum Track (which loops inland) can both be found in the picnic area.

If you’re camping at either of the two huge Holiday Haven campgrounds in the busy holiday town of Huskisson, you’ll have direct access to this popular family beach, perfect for swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, with kayak and paddleboard rental available from nearby shops. There are public toilets and a picnic area located on the reserve behind Huskisson Beach, and if you’re visiting with your dog, it’s allowed to enjoy this beach with you.