Stretching 5 km along the sheltered shore of Port Stephens in Hawks Nest, Jimmys Beach is renowned as Australia's calmest beach — making it an absolute gem for snorkelers of all abilities. The southwest-facing shoreline is shielded from Pacific Ocean swells and summer northeasterly winds, creating near-pond-like conditions with crystal-clear, shallow water. Sandy seabeds transition to seagrass meadows just offshore, attracting small fish and marine life. Its gentle, protected waters and easy shore access make this a prime spot for relaxed, family-friendly snorkelling.
Jimmys Beach
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Wave Height 0.6 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 0.8 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase slack
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Seagrass visibility
The shallow seabed is covered by seagrass below low water, which can reduce visibility if disturbed or stirred up by wind.
Low risk: Bluebottle jellyfish
Bluebottles can occasionally drift into the bay during summer months, particularly after northeasterly winds.
Low risk: Boat traffic near channel
The northern end of the beach nears the Port Stephens channel where boat traffic can occur; stay well clear of marked boating lanes.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Jimmys Beach is located in Hawks Nest, approximately 2.5 hours north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway. Turn onto the Pacific Highway and follow signs to Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens; cross the bridge over the Myall River into Hawks Nest and follow Booner Street or nearby beach access roads.
Parking & facilities
Street parking is available along Booner Street and several beach-access roads. The Jimmys Beach Holiday & Caravan Park also provides parking for day visitors. Additional parking can be found near the northern end of the beach.
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Free public access. Parking at the Holiday Park may incur a fee for non-guests; street parking is free.
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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