Waratah Bay consists of an open, southerly facing bay that contains a 15 km long beach. The beach runs from the Shallow Inlet entrance to the small settlement of Waratah Bay, at the western end of the beach. The beach is exposed, with high waves averaging 1.6 m at Shallow Inlet. Waves remain high as far as the settlement of Sandy Point in the centre of the beach, where Waratah Beach SLSC is located. From this point, wave height gradually decreases to 1.4 m, toward the western end where the small settlement of Waratah Bay is located.
The high waves and fine sand combine to produce a wide, low gradient beach, fronted by a 300 m wide surf zone consisting of two shore parallel bars. The inner bar is cut by large rips every 300 m and is detached from the shore following high waves. A 100 m wide trough separates this from the outer bar, which is cut by rips every few hundred metres. Toward the eastern end of Waratah Bay, the inner bar becomes more continuous and the rips less active. The entire beach is affected by westerly winds which, when blowing, intensify the waves and rip currents.
The Waratah Beach Surf Life Saving Club, formed in 1963, is located at the Sandy Point settlement. It provides the only good beach access and parking in this area, and the benefit of a patrolled section on this potentially hazardous beach. Access and a beach boat ramp are also provided at the Waratah Bay settlement.
Beach Length: 4km
General Hazard Rating:
6/10
Patrols
There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach. Please take the time to browse the Surf Safety section of this website to learn more about staying safe when swimming at Australian beaches.
Click here to visit general surf education information.
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.