The Boulders is a striking snorkeling spot on the Mid North Coast of NSW, where a series of large granite boulders tumble into the clear coastal waters, creating a labyrinth of shallow gutters, overhangs, and protected pools. This unique granitic shoreline shelters an array of marine life and offers calm conditions on low-swell days, especially inside the small coves between the rocks. The crystal-clear water and sculpted granite formations make for a visually stunning snorkel experience that feels worlds away from the busier beaches further south.
The Boulders
IntermediateGO
GO
It's a go.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 8.6 sWind Speed 12 knPrecipitation 0.3 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Rock surge
Moderate to strong surges can push snorkelers into the boulders on higher swell days.
Moderate risk: Rip currents between channels
Rips may form between boulder channels during outgoing tides.
Low risk: Slippery rocks
Slippery granite boulders, especially when wet, make exiting the water hazardous.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Coffs Harbour, drive north along the Pacific Highway to the Little Beach turn-off near Emerald Beach. Follow the coastal access road to the signed parking area. A short unsealed path leads down to the rocky shoreline.
Parking & facilities
Limited roadside parking near the access track; arrives early on weekends to secure a spot.
parking
Free
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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