Patrolled Beaches

Port Stephens Council Beaches and Foreshores Information

Beach water safety

• The safest place to swim at the beach is between the red and yellow flags.

• Mark a reference point on the shore to avoid drifting.

• Always read the surf conditions board.

• If you think conditions are too rough for you, don't go in.

• Always swim with a friend, never alone.

• Swim parallel to, and not away from, the shore when you swim long distances.

• Swim in well-lit areas so you can be seen if you get into trouble.

• For your safety, leave the water immediately when requested by a lifeguard.

Birubi Beach (Anna Bay)

Lifeguard patrol

Beach season — September to April

Professional lifeguards and volunteers patrol our surf beaches to help keep you safe. They patrol One Mile Beach all year round, with Fingal & Birubi patrolled from September till the end of April every day from 9am – 4pm and sometimes longer in the summer peak period.

About Birubi Beach

Birubi Beach is located at Anna Bay and is the northern most section of the 'Golden Bite' — a huge expanse of beach which extends from Stockton in Newcastle to Port Stephens. The beach itself is accessed at the end of James Patterson Street, Anna Bay and is one of the gateways for 4wd vehicles to the Stockton Beach dunes. The design of the Birubi Beach club house is award-winning and it provides spectacular views of the ocean, dunes and coastline.

• Location: Accessed at the end of James Patterson Street, Anna Bay. It is the northernmost section of the 'Golden Bite' extending from Stockton.

• Features:

  • Gateway for 4WD vehicles to the Stockton Beach dunes (Worimi Conservation Lands).

  • Award-winning Surf Life Saving Club building with spectacular views.

• Facilities (at Birubi Beach SLSC / Reserve area):

  • Kiosk / café (Crest Café)

  • Outdoor seating and picnic area

  • Amenities including disabled toilets

  • Showers

  • Car parking

  • Formal access ramp onto the beach

  • Birubi Point SLSC (Phone: 02 4981 9253, Website: birubipointslsc.org.au )

• Dog Information (from Birubi Beach Reserve page):

  • Dogs permitted off-leash at all times between May and September.

  • Dogs permitted off-leash from 5pm to 9am between October and April.

  • Dogs permitted on-leash at any time but not within 100 metres of beach patrol areas.

Fingal Beach (Fingal Bay)

About Fingal Beach

Fingal Beach is a protected beach accessed directly off Marine Drive Fingal Bay. The beach is ideal for the family to swim and surf and is just a short walk to Fingal Bay Holiday Park. Fingal Beach has a modern Clubhouse which is home to both Volunteer and Professional Lifeguards. The Club is supported by Saltwater Restaurant and adjoining Longboat Café and has amazing views of the ocean, National Park and coastline.

• Location: Accessed directly off Marine Drive, Fingal Bay. A protected beach.

• Patrols: Patrolled from September till the end of April (Volunteer lifesavers operate on weekends).

• Features:

  • Ideal for family swimming and surfing.

  • Short walk to Fingal Bay Holiday Park.

  • Modern Surf Life Saving Club building.

  • Fingal (Shark) Island and Spit (Important: Do not cross the spit if there is any water over it due to strong currents).

  • Port Stephens Lighthouse (on Fingal Island).

• Facilities (at Fingal Beach SLSC / Foreshore Reserve):

  • Kiosk / café (Longboat Café - Phone: 02 4981 5958)

  • Restaurant (Saltwater Restaurant - Phone: 02 4024 2650)

  • Outdoor seating and picnic areas

  • Children's playground

  • Toilets

  • Showers

  • Car parking

  • Accessible beach matting & Beach Wheelchair available.

  • Fingal Beach SLSC (Website: fingalbeachslsc.com)

  • Dog off-leash exercise area within the Fingal Bay Foreshore Reserve (dogs are prohibited on Fingal Beach itself).

One Mile Beach

About One Mile Beach

One Mile Beach is located in an idyllic location next to the Tomaree National Park, between Boat Harbour and Nelson Bay. You can access One Mile Beach from Hannah Parade. There is ample parking and shady picnic areas at the reserve and the beach is a only a minute's walk over the sand dunes. There is an informal access track to the beach and a new lifeguard facility, which is home to the professional lifeguards.

• Location: Between Boat Harbour and Nelson Bay, accessed from Hannah Parade. Adjacent to Tomaree National Park.

• Patrols: Patrolled year-round by Professional Lifeguards.

• Features:

  • Ample parking and shady picnic areas at the reserve.

  • Short walk (approx. 150m) from car park/facilities to the beach.

  • New lifeguard facility.

• Facilities:

  • Kiosk / café

  • Outdoor seating and picnic areas

  • Toilets

  • Showers

  • Car parking

• Note: There is a short 150m walk between the car park, toilets/showers, and kiosk to the beach itself.