Gillams Beach is a serene, remote sandy shoreline nestled within Recherche Bay in Tasmania's far south-east. Backed by coastal scrub and tall eucalypts, this sheltered beach offers calm, clear temperate waters perfect for an adventurous cold-water snorkel. Part of the scenic drive beyond Ida Bay, it sits at the edge of the Southwest National Park wilderness, where the quiet surroundings and pristine environment make every entry feel like a true escape. The shallow reef edges near the beach's southern end reward snorkelers with encounters of temperate fish and seaweed gardens.
Gillams Beach
IntermediateMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 7.6 knPrecipitation 2.7 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Cold water temperatures
Tasmanian waters here rarely exceed 16°C even in summer; risk of hypothermia without a wetsuit (5 mm recommended).
Low risk: Strong southerly winds
Sudden wind shifts from the Southern Ocean can whip up chop and reduce visibility on short notice.
Low risk: Limited mobile reception
Very patchy or no phone signal in the area, making emergencies difficult to manage.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Drive south from Hobart on the Huon Highway (A6) past Geeveston, then follow signs to Cockle Creek Road. Gillams Beach is accessed via a signposted dirt track about 14 km south of Ida Bay Railway, just before Cockle Creek. The beach is a short walk from the small campground.
Parking & facilities
Unsealed gravel parking area adjacent to the Gillams Beach campground; suitable for cars and campervans.
toiletspicnic_tables
Free — no entry or parking fees.
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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