Fingal Spit is a remarkable tidal sandbar that emerges at low tide, linking Fingal Bay beach to Fingal Island in Tomaree National Park. This dynamic ribbon of white sand offers adventurous snorkelers access to the rocky eastern edge of the bay where boulders, gutters and seagrass beds teem with marine life including flathead, wobbegong sharks, moray eels, octopus, seahorses, and colourful wrasses. The spit itself shifts with the seasons, making every crossing a unique experience.
Fingal Spit
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Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 5.3 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Fingal Spit has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Tidal sand spit crossing danger
Fingal Island sand spit is extremely dangerous with a high risk of drowning. Do not cross if there is any water over the sandbar. Tides, swell and deep channels can cover the sandbar rapidly and unpredictably.
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Tidal sand spit crossing
Fingal Island sand spit is extremely dangerous with a high risk of drowning. Do not cross if there is any water over the sandbar. Tides, swell and deep channels can cover the sandbar rapidly and unpredictably.
Moderate risk: Unpatrolled beach
Fingal Bay Beach is not patrolled by lifeguards. Strong rip currents can occur.
Moderate risk: Rapidly changing conditions
Conditions at the spit are unpredictable and can change rapidly even when water appears calm.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Fingal Bay is located in Port Stephens, approximately 45 minutes north of Newcastle. Turn off Nelson Bay Road onto Fingal Bay Road and follow to the beach carpark.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Fingal Bay Beach carpark at the end of Fingal Bay Road.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports