Box Beach is a gorgeous beach in the Port Stephens area. Its pristine white sand, crystal clear blue waters, and rocky outcrops create a beautiful beach that families and surfers love to visit.
Located within the Tomaree National Park, it is a secluded beach far from the crowds and offers an off-the-beaten-track vibe that locals frequent.
Box Beach is not far out of Nelson Bay, the main city of Port Stephens. Head to Shoal Bay and look for Box Beach Road, where you will drive through a road surrounded by thick bushland.
At the end of the road is a car park, and you will see signage to the entrance to this popular Port Stephens beach. It’s a fairly accessible beach since it’s only 150 meters from the small carpark. The Box Beach signage also explains the volcanic origins of the area.
Once you get to the beach, you will see the rich red and brown hues of the rocky outcrops on both ends of the beach, which are remnants of 2 volcanoes that existed in the area some 300 million years ago.
Once you step into the sandy path towards the beach, you will discover thick bushland on either side, as well as the sounds of bird calls amongst the trees. Native finches and other birds are known to call each other when guests arrive at the beach.
Things to do at Box Beach
Box Beach is a known surf spot with a beach break with waves that break close to shore. The exposed beach break allows for consistently reasonable surf all year round, but the best times of the year for surfing are during the autumn and winter seasons.
The beach break offers both left and right-hand waves and the beach has played host to several surfing competitions over the years.
There is an undercurrent at Box Beach so swimming here can be a little tricky. There’s no lifeguard on the beach but swimming is allowed at your own risk.
The rocky outcrops on both sides of the beach often create tidal rockpools so these spots can be an ideal place for shallow water swimming, especially for kids. Some areas make for the ideal sandcastle spot as well.
Rock fishing is another popular activity at Box Beach, especially on the southern end of the beach.
Those who are planning to fish here are advised to wear life jackets, as well as to see the Port Stephens Marine Park sanctuary zone map to find out which areas are restricted under the Habitat Protection Zone.
Though the beach is 350 meters long and accessible, it’s still considered a secluded and quiet beach compared to more popular and crowded beaches in Port Stephens. Because of this, Box Beach remains to be a quiet oasis for those who are looking for a more secluded spot to swim on the shoreline, have a beach picnic, bodyboard, or surf.
What to bring
There are no lifeguards on the beach so if you’re planning to swim or surf, make sure you’re not alone. You must also bring a hat, sunscreen, and beach umbrella if you plan on staying for long hours since there are no spots to stay under the shade.
It’s an exposed beach with plenty of sand so you can get sunburned if you stay under the sun for too long. Bring a beach mat as well, and don’t forget to wear flip-flops since the sand can get too hot during the hot summer months.
Box Beach is known as a local’s surf spot that’s also great for families.
It’s surrounded by beautiful volcanic rocky outcrops on both ends of the beach, and it’s a great place to spend a quiet, yet fun-filled day under the sun.