Nestled within Bundjalung National Park on NSW's North Coast, Woody Head Beach offers a sheltered, shallow lagoon ideal for calm-water snorkeling. Fringed by a spectacular rock platform with rocky pools to explore, this protected sandy beach sits between lush coastal rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. The crystal-clear waters over shallow reefs provide excellent visibility for spotting marine life, while the adjacent campground makes it a perfect seaside base for a family snorkeling holiday.
Woody Head Beach
BeginnerMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.9 mSwell Period 7.4 sWind Speed 14 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Unpatrolled beach
Woody Head Beach is not patrolled by lifeguards. Swim with caution and between the flags at patrolled beaches nearby.
Moderate risk: Rip currents
Strong rip currents can occur, particularly outside the sheltered lagoon area. The safest swimming is in the protected lagoon.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Woody Head Beach is located in the Iluka precinct of Bundjalung National Park, approximately 8 km east of Iluka, NSW. Turn off the Pacific Highway at Maclean and follow the signs to Iluka, then continue on Woody Head Road to the campground and beach.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at Woody Head campground, including 1 accessible parking space near the kiosk.
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Park entry fee: $8 per vehicle per day. Camping fees apply separately for overnight stays.
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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