Whale watching season on the Coffs Coast runs from May to November, with peak viewing between June and October.

• Tours with Pacific Explorer and Jetty Dive operate June to October
• Whale swim tours with Jetty Dive run in August and September
• Headlands like Woolgoolga Headland offer sightings across the full season

August and September offer the best whale watching on the Coffs Coast, as mothers and calves travel closer to shore on the southern migration.

Yes, several headlands and lookouts on the Coffs Coast offer excellent whale watching from shore.

• Woolgoolga Headland
• Eastern Side lookout, Muttonbird Island
• Look At Me Now Headland walk, Emerald Beach
• Yuraygir National Park
• Bongil Bongil National Park

Humpback whales are the most common sighting on the Coffs Coast, though other species pass through too. You can occasionally spot southern right and minke whales, and even sightings of blue whales have been recorded.

• Yes, dolphins are a common sight alongside whales on the Coffs Coast and they can be seen year-round.
  • Regularly spotted on cruises with Pacific Explorer and Jetty Dive
  • Frequently seen from the Coffs Harbour Marina and Jetty Area
  • Visible year-round in the Solitary Islands Marine Park
  • Often spotted from the Eastern Side lookout, Muttonbird Island

The Coffs Coast has several beaches with calm water, playgrounds and picnic areas nearby that suit families with young kids, including:

• Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Emerald Beach, Coffs Coast
• Arrawarra-Corindi Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Boambee Beach, Sawtell
• Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour

From beginner-friendly breaks to well-known local surf spots, the Coffs Coast has waves to suit every level, including:

• Park Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Sawtell Main Beach, Sawtell
• Woolgoolga Beach, Woolgoolga
• Arrawarra-Corindi Beach, Coffs Harbour

Yes, a number of beaches in the region welcome dogs off-leash or on-leash, including:

• North Wall (Park Beach South), Coffs Harbour – off-leash
• Boambee Beach, Sawtell – off-leash
• Moonee Beach, Coffs Harbour – on-leash

Many of the region's most popular beaches sit close to a village, strip of cafes or restaurants for refuelling after a swim, including:

• Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Park Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Sawtell Main Beach, Sawtell
• Woolgoolga Beach, Woolgoolga
• Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour

These beaches sit right in, or just a short drive from, central Coffs Harbour:

• Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Park Beach, Coffs Harbour
• North Wall (Park Beach South), Coffs Harbour
• Diggers Beach, Coffs Harbour
• Boambee Beach, Sawtell