Sandy Point Beach
There is a short path to the beach over the sand dunes from Beach Road where there is a General Store and park with toilets, picnic tables and BBQs.
There is a long attractive sandy beach with a small section in front of the Waratah Beach Surf Life Saving Club patrolled during the summer holidays.
Sandy Point Beach is in Waratah Bay which is an open, southerly facing bay that contains a 15 km long flat and wide beach with shallow waters. The beach runs from the Shallow Inlet entrance to the small settlement of Waratah Bay, at the western end of the beach.
Swimming
Relatively safe in the swash zone, but be very wary of the large rips and the outer surf zone. It's best to stay on the bar between the flags as there are 5 rescues on average each year. Sandy Point Beach has a General Hazard Rating of 6/10 (Moderately hazardous).
Surfing
The wide surf zone can offer a range of breaks, with more experienced surfers making it to the outer bar, and the less experienced using the inner bar. The beach and bar breaks depend on wind, wave and tide conditions, with the best occurring in a moderate swell and northerly winds. The surfing breaks also go by the name of Sandy Point.
Fishing
Usually good rip holes along the beach.
Threatened Shorebird Beach Habitat
Threatened shorebirds rely on Sandy Point beaches for breeding and feeding year-round.
Beach-nesting birds breed during August to March. They make a shallow nest scrape and lay their eggs directly on the sand, either on the beach above the high-tide mark or in the dunes.
- The adult birds are readily disturbed and will leave the nest if you come too close and will not return until you are out of sight.
- The tiny chicks cannot fly and are easily frightened. They either crouch in the sand, by seaweed or run to the dunes to hide. If they spend too long hiding, they can starve to death.
- When the camouflaged eggs and chicks are left unattended they are easily stepped on, eaten by a predator, or they overheat or cool.
- Please keep your distance from these birds on the beach.
- Look out for signs on the beach and do not stop in front of nesting areas.
- Keep to the water's edge. Hooded Plovers nest above the high-tide mark.
- Please always obey dog regulations. If permitted off-lead, please leash your dog if Hooded Plover breeding signage or fenced areas are present.
- Please keep off the dunes to help make these safe havens for nesting birds and their chicks.
- Follow the advice of rangers and volunteers who monitor this beach.
Access for Dogs:
No dogs on the beach 9am-6pm 1st December to 30th April. All other times dogs are allowed on leash. There is an off-leash beach at Ned Neales which is 1km west.
Photos:
Location
120 Beach Parade, Sandy Point 3959 Map
Web Links
→ Sandy Point (Waratah Bay) (Beachsafe.org)
→ Waratah Beach Surf Life Saving Club
→ Waratah Beach SLSC on Facebook
