Jervis Bay & its dazzling sands
A vast, sheltered bay of powder-white sand and water in every shade of blue, Jervis Bay is the South Coast's signature — and one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Australia. Hyams Beach is the famous name, but the whole bay glows, from the family sands of Green Patch to the archway at the Hole in the Wall. Add resident dolphins, superb diving and the Aboriginal-managed Booderee National Park, and it's the reason so many people fall for this coast.
Hyams Beach & the white beaches
Hyams Beach long traded on a claim to the "whitest sand in the world" — a lovely story that isn't officially true, but the sand really is dazzlingly white and squeaks underfoot, with clear turquoise shallows made for swimming and snorkelling. It's small and hugely popular, so parking is tight and it overflows in summer; locals suggest coming at sunrise or sunset, or spreading out to equally stunning neighbours like Greenfield, Nelsons and Blenheim beaches. None are surf-patrolled, so take care in the water.
Green Patch, Murrays & the Hole in the Wall
The southern shore of the bay is Booderee National Park — jointly managed by Parks Australia and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, whose Koori people are its Traditional Owners ("Booderee" means "bay of plenty" in the Dhurga language). Inside are some of the bay's best beaches: family-friendly Green Patch, with tame kangaroos and king parrots on the grass; sheltered, glass-clear Murrays Beach; and the low-tide coastal walk to the natural archway at the Hole in the Wall. Don't miss the Booderee Botanic Gardens — the only Aboriginal-owned botanic gardens in Australia. A vehicle entry fee applies (around $20 a day).
Huskisson & Vincentia
Huskisson — "Husky" to everyone — is the lively hub of Jervis Bay, and the launch point for the dolphin and whale cruises, kayaking and diving. It has the best run of cafés, pubs and breweries, the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum and a pretty mangrove boardwalk. Quieter Vincentia next door is more residential, with a string of calm bay beaches perfect for families. Either makes an ideal base — see our where to stay guide.
Jervis Bay: your questions
It's a great story, but not quite true. There's no official Guinness World Record for the "whitest sand" and none was ever awarded to Hyams Beach — independent testing actually rates Lucky Bay in Western Australia as whiter. What's beyond doubt is that Hyams, and the beaches all around Jervis Bay, have genuinely dazzling, squeaky-soft white sand and clear turquoise water. Enjoy the myth, but the real thing is spectacular enough.
Yes. Booderee National Park charges a vehicle entry fee — around $20 per vehicle for a day pass (concessions and annual passes available), while entering on foot or by bicycle is free. The fee covers the beaches, the Booderee Botanic Gardens and the walking tracks. Booderee is jointly managed by Parks Australia and the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community. Fees can change, so check the current rate before you go.
The Hole in the Wall is a natural rock archway in Booderee National Park, reached by an easy coastal walk of about 1.1 km each way from the Murrays Beach car park. Go at low tide only — the route follows the rock platform and isn't passable when the tide is high. It's a lovely short adventure paired with a swim at sheltered, crystal-clear Murrays Beach.
Mostly no. The famous white-sand beaches — Hyams, Greenfield, Nelsons, Murrays and Green Patch — are calm and beautiful but not lifeguard-patrolled. Booderee National Park states that none of its beaches are supervised. Take normal care, swim with others, and for a patrolled beach head to the ocean surf beaches nearby (like Mollymook further south). Calm water doesn't mean supervised water.
Huskisson ("Husky") is the main hub — the base for dolphin and whale cruises, kayaking, diving and the best cluster of cafés, pubs and shops. Vincentia next door is quieter and more residential, with lovely bay beaches. Both put you minutes from Booderee National Park and the white-sand beaches. Book well ahead for summer and school holidays, when Jervis Bay fills to capacity.