Nelsons Beach is a stunning stretch of powdery white sand on the NSW South Coast near Sussex Inlet, just south of Jervis Bay. Tucked between a nature reserve and crystal-clear waters, this quiet beach offers excellent shore-entry snorkelling over sandy shallows and rocky reef margins. A level accessible pathway leads from the car park to the sand, making it one of the most wheelchair-friendly beach spots in the Shoalhaven region. The reef edges near the southern end teem with marine life, while the protected waters stay calm in good weather — perfect for beginner and intermediate snorkellers exploring Jervis Bay's famed clear waters.
Nelsons Beach
BeginnerMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 9.3 sWind Speed 12 knPrecipitation 24 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Boat traffic near inlet
The beach is near the Sussex Inlet channel where boats and jet skis pass through. Snorkellers should stay well clear of the entrance channel.
Low risk: Strong currents at high tide
Tidal flows through the nearby inlet can create stronger currents, especially on outgoing high tides near the reef areas.
Low risk: Bluebottle jellyfish
Bluebottles (Physalia physalis) can appear when onshore winds blow from the northeast during summer months.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Sussex Inlet, head east on Jacobs Drive / Beach Road toward the coast. Turn into Nelsons Beach Reserve car park, located just off Beach Road. The beach is about 5 minutes' drive from the centre of Sussex Inlet and 20 minutes south of Huskisson.
Parking & facilities
Dedicated car park at Nelsons Beach Reserve with level access. Limited spaces; arrive early on summer weekends.
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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