Jervis Bay New South Wales South Coast Australia

Jervis Bay is one of the most beautiful coastal destinations on the New South Wales South Coast, known for its brilliant white-sand beaches, clear turquoise water, national parks and abundant marine life.

Located in the Shoalhaven region, Jervis Bay is popular for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, bushwalking, dolphin cruises and whale watching. The main visitor centres include Huskisson, Vincentia and Hyams Beach.

About Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay combines sheltered beaches with national parks, walking tracks and protected marine environments.

The area includes Jervis Bay National Park, Booderee National Park and the Jervis Bay Marine Park, providing opportunities to see dolphins, whales, seals, seabirds and other wildlife.

The calm waters and numerous beaches make the region particularly popular with families and visitors interested in outdoor activities.

Hyams Beach

Hyams Beach is one of the best-known beaches in Jervis Bay and is famous for its exceptionally white sand and clear water.

The beach is popular for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding and relaxing beside the bay.

Hyams Beach can become very busy during summer, weekends and holiday periods, so arriving early is recommended.

White Sands Walk

The White Sands Walk is one of the most popular coastal walks in Jervis Bay.

The track passes a series of picturesque beaches and coastal forest, offering excellent opportunities for swimming, photography and wildlife spotting.

Beaches along this part of the coastline include:

• Greenfield Beach
• Chinamans Beach
• Hyams Beach
• Seamans Beach

Booderee National Park

Booderee National Park occupies much of the southern side of Jervis Bay and is jointly managed with the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area.

The park contains beautiful beaches, bushwalking tracks, camping areas and important Aboriginal cultural sites.

Popular places within Booderee National Park include:

• Murrays Beach
• Cave Beach
• Green Patch
• Scottish Rocks
• Cape St George Lighthouse
• Booderee Botanic Gardens

Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach is one of the most scenic beaches in Booderee National Park.

Its relatively sheltered water makes it popular for swimming and snorkelling, while the surrounding bushland provides a beautiful natural setting.

Huskisson

Huskisson is one of the main towns around Jervis Bay and a convenient base for exploring the region.

The waterfront town has cafés, restaurants, accommodation and shops, and many dolphin and whale-watching cruises depart from its harbour.

Dolphin Watching

Jervis Bay is well known for its resident population of bottlenose dolphins.

Dolphin-watching cruises regularly operate from Huskisson and provide visitors with an opportunity to see dolphins swimming through the protected waters of the bay.

Dolphins can also sometimes be spotted from beaches, headlands and walking tracks.

Whale Watching

Jervis Bay is an excellent destination for watching migrating humpback whales.

Whales migrate along the New South Wales coast generally between May and November.

Boat tours depart from Huskisson during the migration season, while land-based viewing is also possible from several headlands around the bay.

Snorkelling and Diving

The clear waters of Jervis Bay Marine Park make the region popular for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Visitors may encounter fish, rays, dolphins, seals and other marine species.

Popular snorkelling areas include Murrays Beach and other sheltered beaches around the bay.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

The protected waters of Jervis Bay are ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding when conditions are suitable.

Equipment hire and guided kayaking tours are available in the area, allowing visitors to explore beaches, coves and sections of the coastline from the water.

Things to Do in Jervis Bay

• Relax at Hyams Beach
• Walk the White Sands Walk
• Explore Booderee National Park
• Swim at Murrays Beach
• Join a dolphin-watching cruise
• Go whale watching
• Snorkel in Jervis Bay Marine Park
• Kayak around the bay
• Explore Huskisson
• Visit Booderee Botanic Gardens
• Walk to coastal lookouts
• Photograph the white-sand beaches

Jervis Bay National Park

Jervis Bay National Park protects areas of coastal forest, wetlands and white-sand beaches around the northern and western sides of the bay.

Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, fishing, birdwatching and bushwalking.

The park also contains several picnic areas and walking tracks.

Best Time to Visit Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay can be visited throughout the year.

Summer is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and beach activities, although this is also the busiest period.

Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant for walking and exploring the national parks.

Winter is a good time for whale watching as humpback whales migrate north along the coast.

Getting to Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is located approximately 140 kilometres south of Sydney along the New South Wales coast.

The drive from Sydney generally takes a little over three hours, depending on traffic and your destination around the bay.

Jervis Bay is also approximately three hours by road from Canberra.

Getting Around Jervis Bay

A car is the most convenient way to explore Jervis Bay because the beaches, national parks and towns are spread around a large area.

Huskisson and Vincentia are relatively close together, while attractions such as Booderee National Park and Hyams Beach are easier to reach by car.

How Long Should You Spend in Jervis Bay?

Jervis Bay can be visited on a long day trip, but spending 2 to 4 days allows much more time to enjoy the beaches, national parks and marine activities.

A longer stay is particularly worthwhile if you want to combine swimming, walking, kayaking and a dolphin or whale-watching cruise.

Suggested Jervis Bay Day

A good one-day itinerary could include:

• Start the morning at Hyams Beach
• Walk part of the White Sands Walk
• Have lunch in Huskisson
• Join a dolphin or whale-watching cruise
• Explore the Huskisson waterfront
• Finish the afternoon at one of the bay’s beaches

Travel Tip

Jervis Bay becomes extremely popular during summer holidays and long weekends. Arrive early when visiting well-known locations such as Hyams Beach, particularly if you need parking.

If you are visiting the national parks, check current park alerts, weather conditions and access information before setting out.