Seal Rocks is a snorkelling gem on the NSW Mid-North Coast where you can walk straight off Boat Beach into clear waters surrounding a rocky outcrop just 100m offshore. This rare site allows shore-based snorkellers to swim alongside grey nurse sharks year-round — one of the very few places in Australia you can do so without a boat. The underwater terrain features rocky reefs and sandy gutters teeming with Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs, eagle rays, fiddler rays, large smooth stingrays, turtles, and schooling fish. Sheltered by headlands, the beach is usually calm and family-friendly, though shifting currents demand awareness.
Seal Rocks
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.8 mSwell Period 8.6 sWind Speed 1.7 knPrecipitation 0.1 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
© Rob FreijsThe spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong ocean currents
Sweeping currents can develop around the rocky outcrop 100m offshore, particularly on an outgoing tide.
Low risk: Shifting swell conditions
Exposed aspect means swell can pick up suddenly, creating challenging conditions for swimmers.
Low risk: Sharp rocks and reef
Rocky outcrop and submerged reef present cutting hazard when entering/exiting the water.
Low risk: Marine stingers
Bluebottles and occasional jellyfish can drift in on currents, especially in warmer months from November through March.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
2 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Seal Rocks is located off the Lakes Way, approximately 30km south of Forster and 50km north of Bulahdelah. The primary access point is Boat Beach, reached via Seal Rocks Road. A 4WD access track leads to the beach for boat launching only.
Parking & facilities
Limited formal parking area at the southern end of Boat Beach, shared with scuba divers. The access road is very narrow. Additional roadside parking is available but spaces are tight.
toiletsparking
No entry fee for the beach. A MidCoast Council beach driving permit is required for 4WD beach access.
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Gallery ┬╖ 2 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