Hickey Island Beach is a secluded river beach tucked behind the breakwall at the mouth of the Clarence River in Yamba. Formed from shifting sands over the last two centuries, this protected stretch of shore sits within the Hickey Island Reserve and offers calm, flat water that's perfect for relaxed snorkeling. A short bush trail from the carpark near Whiting Beach leads to this peaceful spot, where dolphins are often spotted feeding in the early evening. The beach is sheltered from ocean swells, giving snorkelers clear, gentle conditions to explore sandbars and shallow river-bottom habitat.
Hickey Island Beach (Yamba)
BeginnerMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.9 mSwell Period 6.0 sWind Speed 13 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Sun exposure
Little to no shade along the bush trail and beach; sunhat and sunscreen essential.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Proximity to the Clarence River mouth and boat ramp means occasional boat and jet ski traffic near the beach.
Low risk: Tidal currents
Mild tidal movement near the river mouth; currents can pick up on an outgoing tide near the breakwall entrance.
Low risk: Stinger season
Bluebottles and occasional box jellyfish may be present in warmer months; always check local conditions before entering the water.
Low risk: Boat traffic near boat ramp
The reserve has a boat launch area; boat traffic near the channel where the Clarence River meets the ocean requires vigilance.
Low risk: Outgoing river current
The Clarence River current can pick up near the mouth, especially on an outgoing tide, potentially pulling swimmers toward the ocean.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Yamba town centre, head south on Harbour Street towards the river mouth. Turn into the Hickey Island Reserve carpark located between Whiting Beach and Hickey Island Beach. A short bush trail from the carpark leads directly to Hickey Island Beach.
Parking & facilities
Hickey Island Reserve carpark on Harbour Street, Yamba. Parking bays available, including space for boat trailers near the boat ramp.
picnic_tablestoiletsshowersboat_ramp
Free entry. No fees required.
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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