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.
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.