The Shoalhaven area is wondrously coastal and absolutely littered with stunning beaches, but in order to catch a wave worthy of the time spent getting into a wetsuit, you’ll have to roam the outskirts of Jervis Bay.
1. Steamers Beach
A great place to start is Steamers Beach on the south side of Jervis Bay, right on the edge of Booderee National Park. Steamers is a bit of a trek with a 30-minute walk and some steep stairs to get there, but you get to walk through tall eucalypt forest and tea tree on your way. Keep an eye out for sharks if you’re surfing at dawn or dusk (or avoid those times entirely).
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2. Cave Beach
If the surf is too busy at Steamers, right nearby is Cave Beach, with beach breaks and a right hander breaking off the rocks. Don’t forget to leave time to explore the network of sea caves at the southern end of the beach before or after your surf, and public amenities will make rinsing off the sand and salt a breeze. It’s also an ideal camping spot if you’re making your way down the coast from beach to beach and not staying long.
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3. Bherwerre Beach
Also in that area is Bherwerre Beach, a 7km-long beach that’s fortunately one of the quieter beaches in the Shoalhaven, and a great place to go to escape the crowds if you’re surfing during peak holiday seasons. Bherwerre is the longest, highest energy beach on the south coast and occupies much of Wreck Bay. Numerous beach breaks abound with the northern end being the most accessible and having good summer conditions, when north winds blow offshore.
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4. Culburra Beach
A little north of Jervis Bay is Culburra Beach, a town that boasts two beaches: the northern end of Warrain Beach and Culburra Beach, both of which face out onto the South Pacific Ocean and are guaranteed to deliver some swell. Culburra is a favourite spot for surfers and the home patch for famous pros like Owen, Mikey and Tyler Wright, so don’t give it a miss.
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5. Currarong Beach
If you’re a beginner or looking to show a surfer newbie the ropes, have a go at Currarong Beach. It has a wide variety of waves to choose from, and as its protected from south winds, there are reef and beachbreaks all the way to Kinghorn Point. Currarong even has a surf school if you need a helping hand to get you riding the waves, so there’s something for all skill levels in Jervis Bay.
