Good to know
Good to Know
- The shoulder seasons (March–May and September–November) offer warm weather and fewer crowds, perfect months for families wanting beach time without the school holiday chaos
- Byron Bay gets busy fast, so arrive early to popular spots and consider walking or cycling where possible
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, hats, reusable water bottles, and plenty of snacks
- The 5km Cape Byron walking track traces the headland from Wategos Beach to the whitewashed Cape Byron Lighthouse, and you can continue south along Tallow Beach all the way to Broken Head while pausing for a swim or to spot whales during migration (May to November)
Beaches
Main Beach
- Distance From City Center
- Central location, walking distance
- Description
- The most popular and accessible beach from the town, offering plenty of amenities and parking
Parking
- Cost
- A$4.00
- Note
- $4.00 per hour with a 4 hour parking limit enforced between 9am to 6pm Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays
Designations
- family-friendly
- full-service
Key Features
- Gentle waves calmed by protective Cape Byron with smaller waves and safer swimming conditions
- Patrolled every day of the year by the Australian Lifeguard Service on weekdays and volunteers on weekends and public holidays
- Facilities include playground, large grassy area, public toilets, baby change facilities, showers and taps, drinking fountain, BBQs, picnic tables, ramp access to the beach, and car park
Water Sports Activities
- Surfing lessons available
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking tours
Clarkes Beach
- Dining
- Beach Byron Bay café and restaurant offering coffees, beach lunches or evening fine dining with an ocean view
- Distance From City Center
- ~5-10 minutes walk south from Main Beach
- Description
- A more tranquil beach discovered by strolling a few minutes south of Main Beach
Designations
- family-friendly
- quiet
Key Features
- Gentle waves breaking close to shore, shallow tidal pools perfect for young beachgoers, and a great place for body surfing
- Popular for swimming with calm clear water, playground, grassed area, and picnic area with BBQ facilities
Water Sports Activities
- Beginner surfing lessons
- Body surfing
- Snorkeling
Wategos Beach
- Distance From City Center
- ~10-15 minutes walk via Cape Byron path
- Description
- A secluded haven located just west of the Cape Byron headland, perfect for a swim, sunbathe and afternoon BBQ
Designations
- quiet
- full-service
Key Features
- Less beach area and limited parking, best experienced on a weekday when quieter and tends to suit older families and adults
- Behind the 600m-long beach are BBQs and a patch of grass where beachgoers can sip a great coffee from the mobile barista regularly parked nearby
- Great for longboarders and paddle boarders with long, slow waves, good for all levels, and beautiful for non-surfers
Water Sports Activities
- Surfing (longboarding emphasis)
- Paddleboarding
- Swimming
The Pass
- Events
- Beach parties and silent disco events during summer months
- Distance From City Center
- ~10 minutes walk from city center
- Description
- An epic right-hand point break that can deliver serious waves – you can ride for half a kilometre when the swell is up
Designations
- family-friendly
- party
Key Features
- Waves breaking at right angles to the beach and shallow water along the long sandbank, great for young kids getting their first ocean experiences, with confident family members able to enjoy long-lasting waves ideal for body surfing
- Fisherman's Lookout wooden platform provides panoramic views, a favourite spot of photographers located on the hill at the eastern end of The Pass
- Hosts summer beach parties and events from sunset beach parties to full moon silent disco dances, with family-friendly fun and all-ages parties
Water Sports Activities
- Surfing
- Body surfing
- Swimming lessons
Tallow Beach
- Distance From City Center
- ~15-20 minutes drive south
- Description
- A quieter setting backed by Arakwal National Park, providing a more secluded experience
Designations
- quiet
Key Features
- A reliable spot to surf when the rest of Byron's flat, suitable for experienced surfers
- Stretches from Suffolk Park in the southern end to Cosy Corner under the Lighthouse at the northern end
Water Sports Activities
- Surfing
- Snorkeling
Belongil Beach
- Distance From City Center
- ~10 minutes walk north from Main Beach
- Description
- Quiet Belongil Beach runs north of Main Beach to the mouth of the Belongil Creek, stretching for 2.5km with lifeguards patrolling some sections in peak season
Designations
- quiet
Key Features
- The beach is very exposed and the water can be rough, so always check the conditions
- Dog-friendly and the northern end is unofficially clothing optional
Water Sports Activities
- Surfing
- Dog-friendly swimming
Little Wategos Beach
- Distance From City Center
- ~12-15 minutes walk via Cape Byron path
- Description
- The most easterly beach on the Australian mainland, only 150m long, but offering calm swimming conditions and dramatic scenery
Designations
- quiet
Key Features
- Accessible on foot from Cape Byron Lighthouse path
- Scenic location with easternmost point views
Water Sports Activities
- Swimming
- Photography
Water Sports Rentals
Surfboard Rental
- Cost
- A$40
- Provider Type
- Commercial rental shop
- Note
- Prices start from $40 per day with discounts for longer hire, with board waxed up with fins and leash included
Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP) Rental
- Provider Type
- Commercial rental
- Note
- Available for rental for half a day, full day or longer, with roof racks and SUP buggy available to help transport around town
Kayaking Tours and Equipment
- Provider Type
- Guided tours and rental
- Note
- Tours usually run for around three hours and head along the coastline where resident dolphin pods are seen year-round
Marine Life Viewing
- Whales
- Whales from June to November
- Dolphins
- Spot dolphins year-round
- Marine Sites
- Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is home to a wide variety of marine species, including sharks, rays, and a large number of fish
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this beaches research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Byron Bay
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.