Lesser-known Jervis Bay beaches to sink your toes into

Murrays Beach  

Managed by Parks Australia and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, Booderee National Park is a stunning expanse of wilderness hugging the south coast of Jervis Bay. The jewel in the national park crown? Murrays Beach, a postcard-perfect stretch of pearly white sand curving around a protected bay and sheltered by Bowen Island. These conditions keep the water calm, making it ideal for swimmers, snorkellers and families. Explore a wide range of hiking trails from the Munyunga Waraga Dhugan Walking Trail to various low tide walks. Keep watch for dolphins and other wildlife.   

Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay - Credit: Alexandra Adoncello

Greenfield Beach 

Bring your sunglasses when you visit Greenfield Beach - between the turquoise colour of the water and the impossibly white sand, the sun glare can be dazzling. You’ll want to relax in the picnic area, which has barbecue facilities, before setting off on the 2.5km White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum Track. These two interconnected trails wind through Jervis Bay National Park linking a series of (you guessed it) white beaches. Go for a refreshing swim or extend your amble and wander all the way to Hyams Beach.   

Greenfield Beach, Vincentia

Honeymoon Bay  

From above, the small, sheltered Honeymoon Bay resembles an opal, ringed with blues and golds that fade into a perfect crescent of sand. It’s an idyllic spot for swimming, with calm waters and no surf. If you’d like to linger, a campground sits just steps from the beach, though it books out quickly in summer so plan ahead. You’re only a short distance from Currarong, the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse and lots of walking trails. 

Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay

Cave Beach  

Also within Booderee National Park, Cave Beach is a dramatic coastal enclave framed by enormous cave-carved cliffs, perfect for dolphin spotting. Thanks to reliable waves, it’s a magnet for surfers, many of whom stay at the nearby campground, which comes with basic amenities including fresh water, toilets and cold showers. Lace up your hiking shoes and explore the area, including Sussex Inlet and nearby Bherwerre Beach.  

Cave Beach, Jervis Bay 

Green Patch Beach  

Thanks to its calm conditions and oh-so-soft sand, Green Patch Beach within Booderee National Park is hugely popular with families and for anyone seeking a leisurely swim or snorkel without big waves. Pack a picnic or make the most of shaded barbecue facilities, then head out to explore the rock pools where you might spot octopuses and fish. Other wildlife regularly spotted here include wallabies, echidnas and all manner of bird life. There’s also a campground with toilets, showers and barbecue facilities.   

Green Patch Beach, Jervis Bay - Credit: National Parks

Hole-in-the-Wall Beach  

This immaculate stretch of sand takes its name from the sandstone rock wall with a hole in it, at the eastern end of the beach - a favourite spot for photographers, especially in the morning light. Hole-in-the-Wall Beach is also great for snorkelling and exploring the walking trails that weave through Booderee National Park. These paths lead you to extraordinary sea cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and through bushland teeming with native wildlife.    

Hole in the Wall Beach, Jervis Bay - Credit: Andy Hutchinson | Shoalhaven Tourism

Blenheim Beach  

Like all the beaches along the White Sands walk through Jervis Bay National Park, Blenheim Beach is a stunner. Locals know it as one of the region’s best snorkelling spots, so be sure to pack your gear - a great way to cool off while on your hike. The cove is fringed by native forest, offering a true bush-to-beach experience and plenty of wildlife, both marine and terrestrial. 

Blenheim Beach, Jervis Bay

Abrahams Bosom Beach 

Popular with families thanks to its calm waters protected from the wind, Abrahams Bosom Beach is a great swimming and snorkelling spot. Dogs are welcome on leash at the beach and on nearby trails including Coomies Walk and Wreck Walk, which will take you to the remains of the SS Merimbula that are visible at low tide. 

Abrahams Bosom Beach, Currarong - Credit: Andy Hutchinson | Shoalhaven Tourism

Chinamans Beach  

Hyams Beach may be known for its pristine sands, but it could be argued that the sand at Chinamans Beach is even whiter - if that’s possible! Its brilliance is amplified by the surreal turquoise of the water. Not surprisingly, it forms part of the White Sands Walk from Vincentia to Hyams Beach, and is a great place to swim, snorkel or picnic lunch.   

Chinamans Beach, Jervis Bay - Credit: Andy Hutchinson | Shoalhaven Tourism

Best of the rest  

Challenge yourself to visit as many of Shoalhaven’s 100 beaches as you can. If you’re chasing waves, the southern end of Seven Mile Beach has reliable beginner swells. Or book a lesson with Mollymook Beach Surf School, Culburra Beach Surf School, Walking on Water Surf Schools or surf legend Pam Burridge.  

For local advice, drop into the Southern Man surf shop in Ulladulla to chat about conditions around Bawley Point or Ocean & Earth in Sussex Inlet for tips around Cudmirrah. Culburra Surf Beach is a breeding ground for surf champions like Owen, Mikey and Tyler Wright, with breaks their best in winter. Look out for the famous ‘surfing kangaroos’ at Pebbly, Pretty and Depot beaches in Murramarang National Park.  

Pam Burridge Surf Schools, Mollymook

Cast a line from the beach at sunset and perfect your angling thanks to Fishing with a Local. Hop on a stand-up paddleboard to explore the calm waters of Jervis Bay or one of the area’s beautiful inlets, lakes and estuaries. Stand-up paddleboarding tours and lessons are available with Jervis Bay Stand Up Paddle in Huskisson and Coastal Paddle Surf in Narrawallee.  

Orion Beach, Vincentia - Credit: Dee Kramer