Bar Beach South

What You'll See Under the Surface

The calm, clear shallows host a nursery-ground marine habitat that rewards young snorkellers: darting juvenile bream and tailor, curious squid hovering over sandy patches, and drifts of jellyfish that the net keeps away from swimmers. The real prize is the small population of pot-bellied seahorses tethered to seagrass and mooring ropes near the breakwall base — spotting one is a moment of pure delight for any child with a mask and snorkel.↗

The beach's sheltered position also makes it popular with SCUBA divers who want a calm-entry site close to town. Visibility varies with the tide, but the combination of rock wall habitat, soft sand and seagrass beds creates a surprisingly rich underwater landscape for such a compact area.↗

Seals, Strolls and Apex Park

There's a boat ramp at the western end, and it's not uncommon to spot Australian fur seals hauling out on the fish-cleaning tables or cruising just beyond the breakwall — an extra wildlife show while you rig your rods or pack up the esky.↗

Apex Park, directly behind the beach, has covered picnic shelters, barbecues, public toilets and a children's playground, so you can easily spend an entire afternoon here. A boardwalk from the park's western end follows the edge of Wagonga Inlet all the way into Narooma's waterfront, making it a natural extension after a swim.↗↗

Visiting Tips

The beach is unpatrolled, but its calm conditions and netted section mean hazard risk is rated low (4 out of 10) by Surf Life Saving Australia. Still, children should always swim within the netted area and adults should be mindful of the stronger tidal currents near the southern wall where the deep inlet channel runs.↗

Dogs are prohibited at the netted beach, the breakwalls and the inlet foreshore. Entry is free and parking is provided at Apex Park. To get there, head north on the Princes Highway across the Narooma Bridge, turn right onto Dalmeny Drive, then after one kilometre turn right onto Centenary Drive to reach the Apex Park car park.↗↗

Narooma is often called the 'Emerald Coast' gem for its oyster farms, the famoustiling on Montague Island and Europe-style village feel. Bar Beach South fits perfectly into a day that also includes the town's seafood shacks and the short drive to the Narooma Lighthouse precinct.