Oxley Beach is a sheltered, rock-flanked beach on Port Macquarie's southern headland, tucked between Flagstaff Lookout and Windmill Hill Reserve. The 250-metre stretch of sand is backed by grassy parkland with picnic tables and BBQs, looking out over the Tasman Sea. Its rocky reef edges and calm inshore waters make it a local favourite for snorkelling during light swell conditions, with rock platforms that harbour small fish and invertebrates. Less crowded than Town Beach, it offers a relaxed, family-friendly spot to explore the nearshore marine environment.
Oxley Beach
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.6 mSwell Period 7.4 sWind Speed 11 knPrecipitation 0.2 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Moderate wave exposure
Oxley Beach is exposed to waves averaging 1.5 m, with occasional larger swells that can create strong shorebreak and rip currents.
Moderate risk: Unpatrolled Beach
Oxley Beach is not patrolled by lifeguards. Swim and snorkel with caution, especially when surf conditions are active.
Moderate risk: Swell and Rips
Exposed to ocean swells that can create strong rip currents along this section of coast.
Low risk: Rock platforms and submerged rocks
The beach is rock-strewn with rocky edges and submerged reef near the shore, posing a cut/fall risk when entering or exiting the water.
Low risk: Swell variability
Snorkelling conditions vary significantly with changing swell direction and size; calm days needed for safe snorkelling over the reef.
Low risk: Rocky Shore Entry
The beach entry involves navigating rocks and boulders at the shoreline, which can be slippery and uneven.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
3 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Port Macquarie town centre, head south along William Street towards the headland. Turn into Oxley Beach Road and follow it to the Oxley Beach Reserve car park, located next to the beach. The beach is a short walk from Flagstaff Lookout.
Parking & facilities
Free car parking is available at Oxley Beach Reserve, with spaces for cars and limited spots for larger vehicles.
toiletsparkingpicnic_tablesdrinking_water
No fees for beach access or parking.
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Gallery ┬╖ 3 photos
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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