Tucked between granite cliffs in Arakoon National Park, Little Bay is a sheltered, secluded pocket of calm water just south of the Trial Bay headland. The bay's granite-boulder-fringed shoreline and shallow sandy floor create a protected snorkeling nook where you can drift over seagrass beds and rocky gutters. With scenic views over the Tasman Sea and a meandering creek feeding into the bay, the water clarity is best on calm, high-tide days. It's a quiet alternative to the busier Trial Bay beach, offering a more intimate connection with the rocky reef ecosystem of the Mid North Coast.
Little Bay (South West Rocks)
IntermediateGO
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.7 mSwell Period 7.3 sWind Speed 11 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
© Moonlight0551The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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Moderate risk: Not recommended for swimming
NSW National Parks advises against swimming at Little Bay — strong rips and unpredictable conditions can develop rapidly. Snorkel with extreme caution and only on dead-calm days.
Moderate risk: Rip currents
The narrow bay between granite headlands can develop rip currents when swell rolls in, especially after southerly winds.
Low risk: Rocky shoreline entry
Entry is over granite boulders and rocks, not a sandy beach — sharp edges and slippery surfaces require care when entering and exiting the water.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
1 photo from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From South West Rocks, drive east along Cardwell Street towards Arakoon National Park. Continue past Trial Bay Gaol onto East Street and follow the signs to Little Bay picnic area. The bay is a short walk from the car park down to the shoreline.
Parking & facilities
Limited parking available at the Little Bay picnic area car park within Arakoon National Park. Can fill quickly on weekends and holidays.
toiletsparkingpicnic_tablesdrinking_water
Day entry to Arakoon National Park may apply — check NSW National Parks for current park entry 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