Sheltered by the headlands of Arakoon National Park on the NSW Mid North Coast, Trial Bay's calm, clear waters lap the shore of Front Beach beneath the haunting 19th-century ruins of Trial Bay Gaol. This family-friendly spot offers easy shore-entry snorkelling over sandy seabeds dotted with rocky reefs, where curious fish flit among the shallows. The bay's protected aspect makes it ideal for beginners, with dolphins frequently cruising through the bay and migrating humpback whales passing close by from June to November.
Trial Bay (Arakoon National Park)
BeginnerSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.2 mSwell Period 7.3 sWind Speed 9.8 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase unknown
Last evaluated
© Sue AllenThe spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Rip currents at river mouth
Occasional rip currents can develop near the Macleay River entrance, especially after heavy rain or on outgoing tides.
Low risk: Bluebottle jellyfish
Bluebottle (Portuguese man o' war) stings occur during north-east winds, typically in warmer months.
Low risk: Marine stingers
Bluebottles and occasional box jellyfish may be present in warmer months. Check local conditions before entering.
Low risk: Tannin-stained water after heavy rain
Following heavy rainfall, runoff from the Macleay River catchment can darken the water with tannins and sediment, reducing visibility significantly.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
3 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Located 2 km east of South West Rocks. From the Pacific Highway take the turn-off to South West Rocks, then follow Arakoon Road to the park entrance. Turn onto Trial Bay Gaol Access Road and continue to the Front Beach carpark.
Parking & facilities
Large sealed carpark at Front Beach adjacent to Trial Bay Gaol campground. Overflow parking available near the gaol ruins.
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Day entry to Arakoon National Park is free. Camping at Trial Bay Gaol campground starts from $31/night per couple.
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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