[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":243},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-sawtell-beach-sawtell-headland":9,"spot-sawtell-beach-sawtell-headland":51},{"entries":4,"total":5,"period":6,"type":7,"generated_at":8},[],0,"all_time","reports","2026-10-03T06:32:05.526386Z",{"title":10,"description":11,"canonical_url":12,"og_image":13,"structured_data":14,"breadcrumbs":44},"Snorkeling Conditions at Sawtell Beach \u002F Sawtell Headland - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Sawtell Beach \u002F Sawtell Headland, New South Wales. Good conditions, water 21.7°C, waves 0.53m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fsawtell-beach-sawtell-headland","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_sawtell-beach-sawtell-headland_0_46c7356ff663.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Sawtell Beach \u002F Sawtell Headland","Sawtell Beach and its adjacent headland form a stunning snorkeling destination on the North Coast NSW, sheltered by a small offshore island and rocky reef. The calm, shallow waters of Sawtell Bay —...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-30.370841,153.102893,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","New South Wales","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at Sawtell Beach \u002F Sawtell Headland",{"@context":16,"@type":32,"itemListElement":33},"BreadcrumbList",[34,39,42],{"@type":35,"position":36,"name":37,"item":38},"ListItem",1,"Home","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com",{"@type":35,"position":40,"name":26,"item":41},2,"https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fsawtell-beach-sawtell-headland",{"id":52,"name":18,"slug":53,"latitude":22,"longitude":23,"description":54,"difficulty":55,"image_url":13,"status":56,"tide_constituents":57,"hazard_entries":108,"access_info_structured":165,"area_boundary":113,"routes":113,"created_at":176,"updated_at":177,"today_conditions":178,"today_verdict_view":200,"images":225,"submitted_by":240,"region_name":26,"verification_status":242,"verified_at":113,"disputed":191,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":113},"2512a7e1-ba22-4ca4-806a-9173e85c4300","sawtell-beach-sawtell-headland","Sawtell Beach and its adjacent headland form a stunning snorkeling destination on the North Coast NSW, sheltered by a small offshore island and rocky reef. The calm, shallow waters of Sawtell Bay — the southern side of the island — are ideal for families and beginner snorkelers, offering clear conditions and gentle wave action. The headland features an ocean pool (Sawtell Memorial Pool) constantly refreshed by crashing waves, plus tidal rock pools teeming with small marine life. With a backdrop of lush headland walks and panoramic coastal views, this protected spot combines easy shore access with rich underwater exploration.","beginner","published",{"name":58,"amplitude":74,"phase":90,"latitude":22,"model":106,"epoch":107},[59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73],"2N2","J1","K1","K2","M2","M4","MF","MM","N2","O1","P1","Q1","S1","S2","T2",[75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89],0.030231031162135172,0.010290195956658133,0.1836260748811382,0.03034170623825693,0.5321336347642787,0.0034082720384775423,0.0034528663952923815,0.004221764748909751,0.11172305658489046,0.09600275208344942,0.05667522676548673,0.01903435166437405,0.01408953293725355,0.1359162100842811,0.007761272872987109,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],290.7621929082268,359.4435822825069,341.6977531489764,290.02676293647147,302.7940740173632,301.40839335918946,193.29957403412158,353.52698590627034,295.7273413418975,314.72652037305585,341.0075990851734,279.8306471069171,319.8338882697451,314.5280600925784,340.77093237462884,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,114,118,123,127,130,133,136,139,142,145,148,153,156,159,162],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Tidal Currents Around Island","The sheltered area around Sawtell Island (Sailors Bay) is best accessed at low tide; outgoing tidal currents can create flow around the island channel.","caution",null,{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":117},"Surf Break","The main beach has a consistent surf break year-round with occasional strong shore dumps, especially at mid-to-high tide on the open beach.",12,{"name":119,"description":120,"severity":121,"season_start":122,"season_end":117},"Bluebottle Jellyfish","Bluebottle jellyfish (Physalia physalis) are common on north-coast NSW beaches during warmer months, particularly after onshore winds.","warning",11,{"name":124,"description":125,"severity":121,"season_start":36,"season_end":126},"Rip Currents","Unpatrolled sections of Sawtell Beach can experience rip currents; always swim between the flags during patrol hours (September–April).",4,{"name":128,"description":129,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":117},"Swell waves at headland","The exposed headland and ocean pool can experience wave surge, especially on days with larger swells. Stick to the sheltered bay side of the island.",{"name":131,"description":132,"severity":112,"season_start":122,"season_end":117},"Marine stingers","Bluebottles and other jellyfish can be present in warmer months, particularly after northerly winds.",{"name":134,"description":135,"severity":112,"season_start":36,"season_end":117},"Boats in launching area","A boat ramp near the island means occasional boat traffic near the swimming\u002Fsnorkeling zone. Stay clear of the ramp area.",{"name":137,"description":138,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sharp rocks at island entry","The jump-off rocks around the island are sharp, vertically-aligned strata — care needed when entering or exiting the water.",{"name":140,"description":141,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Outgoing tide current","The bay can experience gentle current flow around the island during outgoing tides, especially near the channel between the island and shore.",{"name":143,"description":144,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Unpatrolled beach","The Bay and Sawtell Island area are not patrolled by lifeguards — swim with caution and keep an eye on conditions.",{"name":146,"description":147,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Outgoing tide current around Sawtell Island","Tidal flows can create strong currents around the island reef, especially on an outgoing tide. Swimmers and snorkelers should be aware of being swept around the island.",{"name":149,"description":150,"severity":121,"season_start":151,"season_end":152},"Southerly swell waves","Sawtell Island and Main Beach can receive substantial south swells (2–11 ft), producing powerful surf and dumping waves that create hazardous conditions for snorkelers, particularly in winter.",6,8,{"name":154,"description":155,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sharp rock platform entry","The jump-off rocks around Sawtell Island are composed of sharp, vertically aligned strata. Care is needed when entering and exiting the water to avoid cuts.",{"name":157,"description":158,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Unpatrolled snorkel zone","Sawtell Island and Bay are not patrolled by lifeguards. Snorkelers should exercise caution and check conditions before entering.",{"name":160,"description":161,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Rocky reef \u002F Sawtell Island","Sharp rocks and reef platforms around the island and at the jump-off points, especially hazardous when entering or exiting the water.",{"name":163,"description":164,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Unpatrolled area","Sailors Bay and Sawtell Island are not patrolled by lifeguards — no flags or supervision. Snorkelers are entirely responsible for their own safety.",{"directions":166,"parking":167,"facilities":168,"fees":174,"access_method":175},"Sawtell is located 10 km south of Coffs Harbour on the Pacific Highway. Turn off at Sawtell Road and follow to the beach. The main beach access is via First Avenue, with additional access to the island and headland from Boronia Street at the base of Bonville Headland.","Formal parking available near the Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club on First Avenue (free\u002Fpaid depending on season) and at the Boronia Street carpark near the island and headland. A reserve parking fee (approx. $8) applies in some lots during peak periods.",[169,170,171,172,173],"toilets","showers","parking","picnic_tables","boat_ramp","Most parking is free outside peak season; paid parking (approx. $8\u002Fday) applies in the reserve lots during school holidays and summer.","shore_entry","2026-07-27T02:55:45.464263Z","2026-08-04T05:30:44.786654Z",{"verdict":179,"evaluated_at":180,"models":181},"go","2026-10-03T02:15:59.913893Z",[182,189,195],{"model_name":183,"is_favourable":184,"value":185,"threshold":186,"unit":187,"operator":188},"Wind Speed",true,2.61,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":190,"is_favourable":191,"value":192,"threshold":193,"unit":194,"operator":188},"Wave Height",false,0.526,0.5,"m",{"model_name":196,"is_favourable":184,"value":197,"threshold":40,"unit":198,"operator":199},"Visibility",2.16,"","gte",{"verdict":179,"rating":201,"evaluated_at":180,"generated_at":180,"source":202,"confidence":203,"visibility":206,"parameters":207,"models_passed":43,"models_total":220},"Good","precomputed",{"level":204,"value":205},"High",100,{"score":197,"rating":113,"confidence":113},[208,210,214,217,222],{"name":190,"value":209,"label":113,"unit":194,"favourable":191,"score":36,"optimal_max":193,"marginal_max":36},0.5263346405831112,{"name":211,"value":212,"label":113,"unit":213,"favourable":184,"score":43,"optimal_max":152,"marginal_max":117},"Swell Period",6.3,"s",{"name":183,"value":215,"label":113,"unit":187,"favourable":184,"score":43,"optimal_max":186,"marginal_max":216},2.6080253401983966,15,{"name":218,"value":5,"label":113,"unit":219,"favourable":184,"score":43,"optimal_max":220,"marginal_max":221},"Precipitation","mm",5,20,{"name":223,"value":113,"label":224,"unit":198,"favourable":191,"score":36,"optimal_max":113,"marginal_max":113},"Tidal Phase","flood",[226,233],{"id":227,"image_url":13,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":184,"moderation_status":228,"license":229,"license_url":230,"attribution":231,"author_name":232},"0b25ba36-e9ee-4f5c-ad9a-a58ef746ecf0","approved","CC BY-SA 4.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F4.0\u002F","Photo by Peter borley","Peter borley",{"id":234,"image_url":235,"sort_order":36,"is_primary":191,"moderation_status":228,"license":236,"license_url":237,"attribution":238,"author_name":239},"a8e1b471-815a-4068-9b8d-a858f4b76e65","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_sawtell-beach-sawtell-headland_1_460d2cfb882e.jpg","CC BY-SA 3.0","https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-sa\u002F3.0\u002F","Photo by Tuddy","Tuddy",{"display_name":241},"Daniel","unverified",1791009192798]