On the Water​​

Aslings Beach

Location: Google Map

This beach stretches for 2 km. from an ocean-fed, rock tidal pool to the entrance of Lake Curalo.
This is the main surf beach in Eden, accessed by road from the town centre to Lake Curalo. Part of this beach is patrolled during the summer season. A walkway begins at the clifftop viewing platform, extending to the Lake, offering striking views of the surf, bay, south and north heads. A large pod of dolphins can often be seen leaping in the surf, particularly in the warmer weather. It is an ideal beach for surfing and paragliding.

Amenities include toilet/changing rooms, showers, parking bays, viewing platform, walkways, tidal swimming pool, leash-free dog areas and lake access to the north. The town centre is nearby.

Cocora Beach

Location: Google Map

Cocora Beach is a pretty, sheltered beach on the southern side of Eden on Ida Rodd Drive. The waters are generally more tranquil, and it is a popular family picnic spot.

From the southern end of the beach the Bundian Way walking track can be accessed. Dogs are permitted on the beach between April 30th and December 1st.

Amenities include covered BBQ’s, children’s playground, picnic tables, toilets and cold showers, and parking.

Bungo Beach (Keefe’s Pinch Beach)

Location: Google Map

A Secluded beach on the northern edge of Twofold Bay located between Cocora Beach and Oman Point. This beach feels remote because to reach it you need to turn off the Princes Highway into Quarantine Bay then veer left and drive 500 metres or so along a narrow dirt track through the reserve. There is a very small car park and no facilities. This beach is a “leash-free “area for 12 months of the year, so you can enjoy it with your pet!

Boydtown Beach and Nullica River

Location: Google Map

Boydtown Beach stretches almost 3kms along the southern sub-embayment of Twofold Bay, from the Nullica River entrance, past the Seahorse Inn at Boydtown and around towards Torarago Point.
The waters are pristine and tranquil towards the southern end. It’s popular for swimmers, divers, fishermen and wind surfers. Nullica Lake is an estuary on Boydtown Beach.
Amenities include picnic tables (bring your own wood), lagoon parking at Nullica River end, Seahorse Inn, and lagoon parking at Boydtown end.

Pinnacles Beach (Long Beach, Terrace Beach)

Location: Google Map

Pinnacles Beach is a 3km long beach that forms part of what many refer to as “Long Beach” which stretches for over 10kms. The beach is secluded and expansive and is overlooked by thick coastal scrub. The star of this beach are the natural rock formations of multi coloured sand and clays known as The Pinnacles. These beaches are not patrolled and are ideal for surfing and beach fishing.
Access is via Haycock Road from the Princes Highway, about 8kms north of Eden. Parking is available in the NWPS carpark, approx. 1.5kms off the highway on a well maintained dirt road.
Amenities include non-flush toilets, picnic tables and wood BBQ’s (bring your own wood), bush walks and lookout points.

Saltwater Creek Beach

Location: Google Map

Saltwater Creek is within the southern precinct of Ben Boyd National Park and offers a camping ground. This picturesque spot is popular for fishing, swimming, snorkelling and diving with bush walks and a lovely lagoon nearby. It is 34km south of Eden. The area is unpatrolled. Road is unsealed.

Facilities: non-flush toilets, picnic tables, wood fire (bring your own wood), gas/electric BBQs, camping, rainwater tanks. Dogs are not permitted in National Parks.

Quarantine Bay

Scenic Quarantine Bay houses a four-lane boat ramp, cleaning tables, and boat cleaning facilities. It is a popular location for photographers and also home to resident seals and stingrays that hang out for the trimmings of fishermen’s catch. The Eden Amateur Fishing Club and Yacht Club are also located at Quarantine Bay. Quarantine Bay is also an access point for the Bundian Way Story Trail.

Access: 3 km south of Eden off the Princes Highway.
Amenities: Toilets, picnic tables, boat washing facilities, 4 lane ramp, cleaning tables.

Pambula Lake

One-lane concrete ramp

Amenities include fish cleaning, BBQ, toilets.

Be aware that the entrance to the sea at the Pambula River Mouth is very shallow and can be dangerous. It should only be navigated by experienced skippers.

Bega River (Mogareeka Inlet)

One-lane concrete ramp

Amenities include lighting, BBQ, toilets.

Access via the southern side of Hancock Bridge 55km North of Eden.  

Wonboyn Lake

One-lane concrete ramp

Amenities include fish cleaning, toilets.

33km South of Eden in Myrtle Cove Wonboyn Rd. The entrance to the sea is very shallow and can be dangerous. It should only be navigated by experienced skippers.

Merimbula

Two-lane concrete ramp

Amenities include wash down, lighting, fish cleaning prohibited, toilets.

The car park holds 60 car/trailers. Bridge height restrictions if going to sea. 

25km North of Eden.

Simple Boat Ramp advice from the NSW Water Police:

• Always check the boat ramp out before you attempt to use it.
• Never back down a ramp without checking on its condition first. Try to establish if it is a deep ramp or just a short one with a drop off at the end
• Try to have someone help you put your boat into the water and take it out 
• Always make sure that your hand brake is adjusted correctly and that your rear tyres are in good condition to enable grip on the road
• Don’t be too proud to ask someone for a helping hand. It may save you a lot of expense and maybe a trip to the hospital if you have an accident trying to be independent.

The amateur fisherman coming to Eden is spoiled for choice between ocean and bay, lakes and rivers, beaches, and rock-hopping. There is a wide choice of estuaries within a small radius of the town (many of which are reserved for recreational fishing). The number of surf or bay beaches and rocky promontories in relatively pristine surroundings is staggering.

The Sapphire Coast is renowned for the clarity and color of its waters as well as the variety of its fish. So whether you like dangling a line, finding and casting out into promising gutters or scrabbling across rocks, there is somewhere special near here just for you. And to aid your success, check weather conditions to make sure that the prevailing conditions are working with and not against you.

If all goes against you and the catch is low, you are still in the right place because, as NSW’s largest fishing port, some superb seafood is commercially available from a variety of sources in Eden.

Visitors to NSW may not be aware that a license is required before you wet a line. These are generally obtainable from bait and tackle shops. For more information about recreational fishing licenses click here. You must also obey size and bag limits per species.

Eden Local Fishing Information

Eden Amateur Fishing Club 

The Eden Amateur Fishing Club is a very active club catering for both offshore and onshore fishing. The club has monthly dinners and organises fishing trips for members.

EAFC has an excellent clubhouse and access to a four lane launching ramp, floating pontoon, and car and trailer parking. There are six cleaning tables with running water adjacent to the launching ramps. There are also boat wash facilities and picnic tables.

Scuba Dive With Dive Eden

Learn to dive in the pristine waters around Eden and earn the internationally renowned PADI Open Water Diver certification. If you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a certification course, you can try scuba in a pool or off a beach as a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world.

Already certified? Scuba diving with an experienced local professional lets you relax and just enjoy the adventure. Join our guided local dives and your guide will brief you on the dive site, points of interest, and describe the aquatic life you’ll see.

Haven’t been scuba diving for a while and want a quick refresher? We can help you brush up on your knowledge and skills.

Keen to start exploring? Hire our snorkeling and scuba equipment, wetsuits, or fill your scuba tanks – available 7 days a week from Pickles Fishing and Outdoors at Eden.

Click here for more information.

Merimbula Divers Lodge

Explore sunken wrecks of a bygone era; explore Sapphire Coast marine life including weedy sea dragons, cuttle fish, rays, seals & tropical visitors.

The lodge has two vessels and can also offer accommodation in Merimbula and at Tura Beach.

Meet experienced instructors from SSI and PADI schools and if you need gear you can shop at our well-equipped dive shop in Merimbula or our online shop with free delivery in Australia!

Click here for more information.

Twofold Bay’s sailing history goes right back to the beginnings of the colony and the wide expanses of this deep bay offer excellent sailing for all classes keel and dinghy.  The Twofold Bay Yacht Club welcomes visitors with its many facilities and has regular fixtures.

Facilities at the Port of Eden are also available for larger, cruising vessels.

Whether kayaking down the waves or just paddling in placid lakes or estuaries, the Far South Coast is not wanting for beautiful clear water sites to suit any level of experience. Here is a link to the NSW Sea Kayak Club which includes the events and regional reports.

Kiah Wilderness Tours

Nature at your own pace….. Kiah Wilderness Tours offers small group kayak tours on the beautiful Towamba River, just south of Eden.

An estuary that wanders through stunning forests and green pastures, the river winds its way to Twofold Bay. It is pristine and quiet, with an impressive diversity of both bird and marine life. Each sit-on-top kayak is kitted with a pair of binoculars so you can check out the wildlife up close along the way.

Tours are tailored for a maximum of six people, crafted to suit your experience and abilities and designed to allow you time to enjoy the wilderness. You can request time out for a swim, photography shoot, or to cast a lure. Morning or afternoon tea in the form of plunger coffee and freshly baked goodies is served on one of the many sandy beaches on the river’s edge.

No experience is necessary as the kayaks are designed for easy paddling. Guides are accredited through Australian Canoeing / Paddle NSW.

A less strenuous but equally thrilling activity is whale watching in Twofold Bay. Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales follow the coastline, and can be seen usually between September and early December. A siren alerts residents to the arrival of whales in the bay. View the whales from high vantage points around the bay or from one of many charter vessels. 

Learn more of Eden’s rich whaling history and visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

Cat Balou Cruises

When you cruise with Lana and Brad on board the 15 metre Cat Balou you can enjoy comfort, peace of mind and the chance to hear live whale song. They are the longest running whale watchers in New South Wales, and Eden was named Australia’s premier Whale Watching destination by Australian Geographic!

Sightings are guaranteed on whale watching cruises from September to November, with a free return trip or half your fare back in the rare event that no whales are sighted.

Tours range from 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours, exploring the coastal wilderness of Eden and Ben Boyd National Park all the way to Green Cape Light House.

Cat Balou departs from Snug Cove which has no bar crossings and direct ocean access, putting you on the Humpback Highway within minutes of leaving port. Enjoy optimum viewing from 3 outdoor platforms and inside seating. Cat Balou Cruises are licensed, and offers morning or afternoon tea and hot soup.

Cat Balou Cruises has been awarded the South Coast Tourism Hall of Fame and Ecotourism Gold Medal and is consistently recognised for excellence by Trip Advisor.

Bookings are essential. Cat Balou offers limited wheelchair access.

Log On to make every journey safer

Log On & Off with Marine Rescue. It’s quick, simple, and free.

Log On whenever you’re heading out on the water and Log Off when you return. We’ll stand watch. If you don’t Log Off as planned, our volunteers will start searching for you.

To Log On, call your Marine Rescue NSW base on VHF Channel 16 or use the free MarineRescue App. You can download the App at the App Store for Apple devices or Google Play for Androids.

You can always Log On, whether you’re out for a morning’s fishing, a day trip around your local area or cruising along the coastline. And it doesn’t matter if you’re on a tinnie, a cruiser, a yacht, a kayak, a canoe or a jet ski.

When you Log On via radio, our radio operator will ask you for some basic information about your vessel, your destination and contacts.

You’ll enter the same details on your smartphone or other device if you’re using the Marine Rescue app.

If you don’t Log Off, this information will help us find you, whether you’ve simply forgotten to Log Off when you returned to shore or you’re caught in an emergency and need help fast.

Tell us:

• Your boat registration number
• Where you’re leaving from
• Where you’re heading
• What time you plan to return
• The number of people on board
• Your mobile phone number

If the fish are biting and you decide to stay out longer, simply call the base on VHF Ch. 16 or use the Marine Rescue App to update your arrival time.

Remember to Log Off when you’re back on shore. If you haven’t let us know you’re back safely, we’ll start to look for you. We’ll try calling you first up, just in case you’ve forgotten to Log Off and headed home with your catch. That’s the best outcome. If we get no answer, we’ll step up the response.

When you Log On via the App, choose the live safety tracking option so your position is updated in our vessel tracking system every 30 minutes. This means that in an emergency, our rescue crews will have a starting point for a search operation, based on your last known position, saving valuable time when minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

Skeds

If you’re traveling along the coastline, we encourage you to establish a voyage plan with Marine Rescue NSW and an offshore tracking schedule for you to check in (to ‘sked’) with our bases along your route. This lets us know that you’re traveling safely, on schedule, and not in need of emergency help. We’ll keep track of your progress until you safely arrive at your destination in NSW or we hand you over to the marine rescue service in the next State if you’re traveling further north or south.