Sawtell Beach (NSW 114) is a well-maintained town beach, with a vegetated foredune separating the 2.1 km long beach from the backing township of 14 000. The beach is bordered by 60 m high Boambee Head in the north and 15 m high Bonville Headland to the south, together with two rock reefs called Sawtell Island extending 600 m offshore (Fig. 4.57). There are car parks and lookouts on both headlands. The beach is accessible from the Sawtell SLSC and caravan park and a few fenced tracks across the dune. Waves average 1.5 m along most of the beach producing an inner bar cut by up to eight rips, in addition to a permanent rip against Boambee Head. During higher waves an outer bar with more widely spaced rips is also present. In the south the reef (Sawtell Island) and headland reduce waves to the extent that a protected reflective beach lies behind the reef. This part of the beach is assessable from Bonville Head and has sheltered rock pools and a boat ramp. The Sawtell SLSC was formed in 1931 and averages 15 rescues a year. read more

Beach Length: 2.08km