Mallacoota Beaches: Where to Swim, Snorkel and Paddle

Here's how the spots in this guide compare.

Look it up on the day. Beachsafe lists each Mallacoota beach with its hazard rating and live patrol information. We don't name a patrolled beach in this guide: Beachsafe is live, and this page isn't.

Want a look at the water before you drive down? Gippsland Ports runs live webcams at Bastion Point.

Bastion Point sits at the mouth of Mallacoota Inlet and has the ocean boat ramp. Its beach, lookouts and boat ramp are all open again, and it's still used for boat launching and surfing. If you're after a board or a lesson, The Surf Shack hires surfboards and runs surf lessons.

Start in the inlet. The inlet shallows near the Main Wharf are calm and shallow, the best spot for little ones. The sandy banks of Coulls Inlet near the wharf have calm, shallow water for splashing about too.

Betka Beach is the other one. It's about five minutes' drive south of town along Betka Road, where the Betka River meets the sea. When the river mouth is closed, the lagoon is shallow and still, which suits small children. The ocean side has surf, rocks and currents, so keep the little ones on the lagoon side. There's a grassy area, picnic tables, gas barbecues and toilets.

Quarry Beach has rock pools you can snorkel. It's about 10 minutes' drive south of town and is known for colourful rock formations and rock pools. The rock pools are best explored, and snorkelled, at low tide on a calm day, so check the tide times before you go.

For more of the coast south of town, see our guide to Mallacoota's coastal walks and beaches.

Secret Beach is one to walk to and admire from the sand. It isn't patrolled, and swimming there can be dangerous because of rough waves and rips.

It's about 7 km south of town along Betka Road, then a short walk and stairs down to the sand. A sea cave at the northern end of the beach can only be reached safely at low tide, so time your visit with the tide if you want to see it.

If you'd rather be on the water than in it, hire a kayak or a SUP. Mallacoota Hireboats is family-run and has been going since 2012. Grant Cockburn hires out power boats, kayaks, SUPs, pedal boats and bikes, among others. No boat licence is needed for their power boats, kayaks, SUPs or pedal boats.

Our Mallacoota kayaking guide covers where to paddle, and the boat hire guide covers the rest of the fleet.

Late January and February. Early February is the sweet spot: the crowds have gone and the water hasn't cooled. The inlet warms up first and is comfortable from December. The ocean beaches lag behind. For what the rest of the season is like, see Mallacoota in summer.