Description

Boat Harbour is a sandy beach, with a rock platform extending from the north-eastern corner. The middle of the beach faces directly south and is exposed to the Pacific Ocean. The north-eastern corner of the beach is protected by headland and rock platforms. As a result the water is often calm and the swell mostly blocked off, except when the wind comes directly from the south.

Boat Harbour is a privately owned beach, which is unusual for Australia. Unlike most council beaches, the owners allow Boat Harbour to be used for a wider range of recreational purposes, including off road driving, for a day or seasonal use fee.

Location

Boat Harbour is around 18 km south of Sydney, in the suburb of Cronulla ,NSW, Australia. Climatic zone is temperate. It is a secluded beach on the outskirts of suburbia. Access is via walking north along the beach for 2kms from Wanda, or via car down a dirt track.

Boat Harbour is last of a series of beaches that curve for around 4km along Bate Bay.
Boat Harbour connects with Wanda beach around 1.6 km to the south-west.
Boat Harbour is a sandy beach, with a rock platform extending from the north-eastern corner. The middle of the beach faces directly south and is exposed to the Pacific Ocean. The north-eastern corner of the beach is protected by headland and rock platforms. As a result the water is often calm and the swell mostly blocked off, except when the wind comes directly from the south.

Boat Harbour is an ocean surf beach, affected by wind, swell, tides, though the north-east corner and bay is well protected by most conditions except for southerlies.

Population

Boat Harbour is a fairly secluded beach, accessible only by walking 1.6km from Wanda Beach or by paying a park use fee and driving down a dirt road. However, normal council rules banning cars, Jet Ski’s and dogs on beaches do not apply here so the beach can become busy at times.
Boat Harbour is frequented by off road vehicles, sunbathers, dog exercisers, jet ski riders, beach picnickers and fishermen. You will also see the odd spearfisherman.

Features and Facilities

There are few facilities. There is a standard car park near the off road track to the beach, otherwise everyone else just parks on the beach. The main feature is the ability to drive your car on the beach. There is also a sand dune reserve behind the beach where you can practice your off road driving skills.

Bate Bay Map

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Sunbathing and swimming are fairly common at this beach. Most people park their cars on the beach and set their towels and shelters around.

Swimming is popular on this beach as it is usually calmer here due to protection from headland. The surrounding area is industrial and has a history of pollution, but the water seems to be quite clean these days.

The north end of Bate Bay faces south so usually receives less swell than the beaches around Cronulla. The best place to surf Boat Harbour is usually at the south boundary, where conditions are similar to Wanda breaks, though usually a little smaller and a lot less crowded and finding a park is usually not a problem...

There is fair surf fishing from this beach with better fishing from the rock shelves…

Many people make the walk up from the Wanda and further south.

Jetsking is popular on this beach, with regular visits by Sydney clubs. It is possible to drive your 4wd car onto the sand and launch from the beach.

4wd and AWD vehicles are permitted to drive on Boat Harbour beach if a pass is purchased. The current cost is $20 for a day pass or $100 for a 6 month season pass (Jan-June or July-Dec). The beach presents few challenges and is more of a novelty than a serious 4wd destination. That said, it is fun to drive onto a Sydney Beach and set up a picnic from the back of your car metres from the shore. There is also a small sand dune area designated as a 4wd park at the back of the beach, but this is not likely to hold much excitement for experienced sand drivers.

Spearfishing and Snorkelling is popular around the rocky bay to the north of the beach