Malua Bay

Beach

Malua Bay (NSW 543) is the surfing beach for Batemans Bay. It is visible from and lies just off George Bass Drive, with parking available next to the shops at the northern end and on either side of a grassy park that backs the entire beach. The park contains a... Read more

Malua Bay (NSW 543) is the surfing beach for Batemans Bay. It is visible from and lies just off George Bass Drive, with parking available next to the shops at the northern end and on either side of a grassy park that backs the entire beach. The park contains a picnic area and playground as well as the Batemans Bay SLSC in the centre (Fig. 4.377). The surf club was formed in 1970 when this whole section of coast was developed and subdivided for the residents of Canberra and to a lesser extent Sydney. The beach occupies a 600 m wide bay bordered by Malua Head to the north and the base of Pretty Point to the south, with Reedy Creek also draining across the northern end. It is 500 m long, faces east and receives waves averaging 1.2 m, which usually maintain an attached bar with a rip against the northern rocks. Higher waves produce a southern boundary rip and shifting central rip (Fig. 4.378), which are at time linked by a continuous trough. The rips contribute to the 30 rescues that occur here on average each year.

Swimming

This is the most popular beach in the Batemans Bay area attracting large summer crowds. However rips are usually present so swim between the flags and watch the rocks at the northern end and the headland rips.

Surfing

A popular surfing beach with some reasonable beach breaks, and a left off the northern rocks.

Fishing

This is the most likely beach to find rip holes and gutters, particularly against the rocks, with the southern rock platforms also a popular location.