White Sands Coast

The spectacular Jervis Bay Marine Park spans over 100 km of coastline with protected coves, inlets and spectacular cliffs. Its pristine underwater paradise is teeming with superb marine life, and its shores are lined with white, sandy beaches, and charming coastal villages just waiting to be discovered.

Jervis Bay’s clean waters and unique composition of rock which erodes to produce fine, frosted quartz grains, are responsible for its famous white sand. Hyams Beach is just one of the 16 beautiful beaches on the White Sands Coast so be sure to explore them all and avoid the crowds! Take the Round the Bay Shared Pathway along Vincentia’s picturesque Collingwood Beach, all the way to pet friendly Nelson Beach or Plantation Point Reserve. Start your trip on the northern side of the bay with gorgeous seven-kilometre Callala Beach. Take our 100 Beach Challenge to find your new favourite, and make your walk on all our beaches a little more meaningful by taking ‘3 for the sea’, keeping our sparkling oceans litter free.

Diverse marine life thrives in Jervis Bay, where warm waters of the East Australian Current meet the cooler waters from Bass Strait, along with the intermittent surge of cold, nutrient-rich waters from the nearby continental shelf. Their combined currents flow clockwise around the bay, completely flushing it out every 24 days or so, creating a unique, unspoilt habitat. Scientists recently discovered an amazing octopus city in Jervis Bay, dubbed “Octlantis,” where octopuses, previously thought to be loners, live communally.

Dive or snorkel with Crest Diving, Woebegone Freedive, or Dive Jervis Bay for a chance to see seals, penguins, turtles, sharks, and over 210 fish species. Seal and dolphin watching cruises depart year-round from Huskisson, the heart of Jervis Bay, and whales can be seen migrating from May through to November. Glide across the surface of the bay on a sea kayaking tour, SUP adventure, luxury sailboat, or take a scenic trip on the Husky Ferry for a chance to see giant stingrays. Maybe even throw in a fishing line where it’s allowed, but remember to follow marine park rules. For the perfect end to your Jervis Bay nature adventure, pop into the coastal towns of Huskisson, Vincentia, St Georges Basin and Sanctuary Point for some quality shopping and a delicious bite to eat.

Top left: Hole in the Wall Beach. Left to right: Point Perpendicular,

Cabbage Tree Point, frosted quartz grains, swim in crystal clear water, sail on Jervis Bay.

Learn more at shoalhaven.com/ white-sands

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