Flanked with beaches, Port Stephens is the ultimate beach getaway. You can surf, you can snorkel, you can splash in the waves or you can just float around. And, you can do it at a different beach each day and go weeks before needing to repeat a visit.
There’s way more than enough beaches here to fill much more than a weekend… And that’s why we’ve now been to this lovely seaside region about a half-dozen times.
6 beaches in Port Stephens we’ll keep going back to
Fingal Beach
Where is it? 2.7km from Shoal Bay, 6.5km from Nelson Bay
Facilities: Toilets, showers, car park, cafe, restaurant. There’s more shops a short walk away, too.
Why we love this beach: This beach is pure magic. It stretches for almost two kilometres from the boat ramp in the south to Fingal Spit in the north. Here, a sandbar connects Fingal Island to the beach. Or, you can continue walking along the mainland on Box Beach Cove in the direction of Tomaree Mountain. While you won’t be able to get all the way there along the beach, the views are nothing short of incredible.
✅ We’ve been here!
Our tips: We recommend parking at the parking area near the surf lifesaving club, and not near the boat ramp. From here, the walk toward the spit it much shorter (but still pretty long, in the sand!).
Another tip: If you do want to explore Fingal Island, be sure to check the tides and only go when it’s low. If there’s water over the sandbar, it’s not safe to cross as conditions change quickly and currents can be stronger than you may anticipate.
Where to stay near Fingal Beach
If you’re after the closest-possible stays, here’s where to stay near Fingal Beach:
- Fingal Bay Holiday Park (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Seaside Holiday Resort (Agoda | Booking.com)
Birubi Beach
Where is it? 11.1km from Nelson Bay and 15.3km from Shoal Bay.
Facilties: Toilets, shower, car park, camel rides.
Why we love this beach: This beach stretches on for what seems like forever, making you feel like you’re a million miles away from just about everything. The beach itself also turns into the Stockton Sand Dunes, making an incredible backdrop to your dip in the clear-blue water. Because of it’s size, it’s also nice and quiet. We were here on a long weekend, and still found there was plenty of room to stretch out without anyone else nearby… without needing to venture away from the flags.
✅ We’ve been here!
Our tips: Use the lower car park — it’s free! The upper car park, which is on pavement, does have meters, while the lower one, which is on the sand, does not. It’s only a short walk across the sand to get to the beach from here.
Where to stay near Birubi Beach
If you’re after the closest-possible stays, here’s where to stay near Birubi Beach:
- Birubi Beach Holiday Park (Agoda | Booking.com)
- The Retreat Port Stephens (Agoda | Booking.com)
One Mile Beach
Where is it? 7.7km from Nelson Bay and 11.9km from Shoal Bay.
Facilties: Toilets, showers, cafe.
Why we love this beach: The surrounding landscape of the bay here makes it feel like you’re on a deserted tropical island. There’s rolling green hills, sand dunes, clean-and-clear water and plenty of space to stretch out. While we did find quite a few cabanas grouped together near the walkway to the car park, just past this was plenty of space.
✅ We’ve been here!
Our tips: Even if the sand looks nice and dry, put your belongings down a bit further back from the water’s edge than you may think. We learned this one the hard way when a rogue wave soaked our towels!
Where to stay near One Mile Beach
If you’re after the closest-possible stays, here’s where to stay near One Mile Beach:
- Ingenia Holidays One Mile Beach (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Ingenia Holidays Middle Rock (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary (Agoda | Booking.com)
Nelson Bay Beach
Where is it? In Nelson Bay, 3km from Shoal Bay
Facilties: Toilets and showers. There’s more shops a short walk away, too.
Why we love this beach: Right in town, Nelson Bay Beach is perfect for lazy floats and cool-downs after wandering around the area or if you’re short on time. As this beach is on the harbour rather than ocean, there aren’t any large waves so it’s ideal for kids or those who aren’t strong swimmers, too.
At the far end away from the town centre, you’re nearing Fly Point which is excellent for swimming. You can either walk around the point and go into the water from the small beach there, or just swim around from Nelson Bay. (That’s what we did!)
✅ We’ve been here!
Our tips: As this beach is on the harbour rather than ocean, there aren’t any large waves so it’s ideal for kids or those who aren’t strong swimmers
Where to stay near Nelson Bay Beach
If you’re after the closest-possible stays, here’s where to stay near Nelson Bay Beach:
- Port Stephens Motel (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Nelson Bay Breeze (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Marina Resort (Agoda | Booking.com)
Zenith Beach
Where is it? In Shoal Bay, 3.3km from Nelson Bay.
Facilties: None, but there are toilet blocks about 350m away at Shoal Bay Beach.
Why we love this beach: The postcard picture of Port Stephens, Zenith Beach is seen by many, but hardly access by any. Most people just see this beach from the view point, but don’t venture to the beach itself. For the lucky few that do, you’ll get almost the whole place to yourself.
✅ We’ve been here!
Our tips: While we’ve been on the sands too, we think this beach is actually best enjoyed from above. Take the hike up to the top of Tomaree Mountain for the best view of Zenith Beach.
Where to stay near Zenith Beach
If you’re after the closest-possible stays, here’s where to stay near Zenith Beach:
- Ramada Resort by Wyndham Shoal Bay (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Shoal Bay Holiday Park (Agoda | Booking.com)
Sunset Beach
Where is it? Solider Point, 11.1km from Nelson Bay or 15.2km from Shoal Bay
Facilties: None, but there is a marina with a restaurant.
Why we love this beach: True to the name, this is a great place to watch the sun set. We came here before our late dinner reservation at Rick Stein at Bannisters, and it was the perfect way to finish off our day in Port Stephens.
✅ We’ve been here!
Our tips: This isn’t the best beach for swimming, but, as the name implies, it is fantastic for sunsets. Grab a few drinks from home or a nearby bottle shop, have a seat on the pier and watch the sun sink.
Where to stay near Sunset Beach
If you’re after the closest-possible stays, here’s where to stay near Sunset Beach:
- Thou Walla Sunset Retreat (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Bannisters Port Stephens (Agoda | Booking.com)
- Ingenia Holidays Soldiers Point (Agoda | Booking.com)
Looking for a particular type of beach?
While the beaches above are our top picks, if you’re after a particular type of beach, check out the options below. We’ve listed both the ones above along with some extra options.
Swimming beaches in Port Stephens…
- Nelson Beach (Calm)
- Shoal Bay Beach (Calm)
- One Mile Beach (Waves)
- Fingal Beach (Waves)
- Birubi Beach (Waves)
Snorkelling beaches in Port Stephens…
- Nelson Bay Beach/Fly Point
Surfing beaches in Port Stephens….
- One Mile Beach
- Fingal Beach
Sunset beaches in Port Stephens…
- Sunset Beach
- Nelson Bay Beach, toward Fly Point
- Little Beach
