Mick's Retreat is a quiet, sheltered snorkeling nook at Dolmans Point on the northern side of Bonville Creek, near Sawtell. The point juts into the creek mouth where freshwater meets the sea, creating a calm estuarine snorkel environment protected from open-ocean swells. Shallow seagrass beds line the sandy bottom, offering glimpses of small fish and crustaceans. With public toilets, picnic tables, and a nearby boat ramp, it's a low-key launch point for exploring the creek's mangrove edges.
Mick's Retreat
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Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 6.3 sWind Speed 9.8 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Bonville Creek tidal flow
Outgoing tide can create a moderate current near the creek mouth pulling toward the open ocean. Snorkel on incoming or slack tide.
Low risk: Boat traffic
The adjacent boat ramp at Dolmans Point sees small vessel traffic near the creek entrance. Stay clear of the ramp and channel.
Low risk: Estuarine water clarity
After rain, runoff from Bonville Creek can reduce visibility significantly. Best conditions follow dry weather and calm seas.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Sawtell, head north on Lyons Road toward Dolmans Point. Mick's Retreat is located at the northern end of Sawtell Beach where Lyons Road meets the Bonville Creek foreshore, opposite the caravan park.
Parking & facilities
Limited roadside parking on Lyons Road near the picnic area, plus parking near the Dolmans Point boat ramp.
toiletspicnic_tables
No fees for entry or parking.
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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