New South Wales, East Coast of Australia, Australia

Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is a picturesque beach located in New South Wales, Australia, approximately 25 minutes drive from Seal Rocks. The beach is known for its breathtaking white sand and turquoise water, which is often calm and ideal for swimming. The beach is also popular for snorkelling, particularly at the east end.

The beach is accessed via a well-maintained path, which is about a 600m walk from the nearest car park. The walk to the beach is approximately 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the starting point. The path is a dirt track, which adds to the beach's secluded feel.

One unique feature of Shelly Beach is that one half of it is clothing optional, making it one of the most popular nudist beaches on the east coast. However, this is indicated by unofficial signage, and visitors are advised to continue walking to the later beach entrances if they prefer a clothed beach.

Discover places to stay near Shelly Beach and enjoy its stunning white sand and turquoise waters, perfect for a serene getaway.

Despite its natural beauty, Shelly Beach may not be suitable for young children to swim due to its rocky nature and the fact that the water drops away not far from shore. There are also toilet facilities available at the end of the track for convenience.

What to do at Shelly Beach?

Amenities

Shelly Beach amenities include parking and toilet.

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight the beauty and seclusion of the beach, with its white sand, turquoise water, and calm surf being particularly appreciated. Many visitors also enjoy the short walk to the beach and the option for snorkeling at the east end. However, some visitors complain about the beach being rocky and rough, making it unsuitable for young kids to swim, and the presence of an unofficial nudist section.

Where to Stay near Shelly Beach?

Visitors to Shelly Beach often choose to stay in nearby towns like Forster and Tuncurry, which offer a range of accommodations including hotels and holiday parks. These locations provide easy access to the beach and are known for their vibrant local dining and shopping scenes.

The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.

Where is Shelly Beach?

Latitude: -32.3293349 / Longitude: 152.5451871

Shelly Beach is located in New South Wales. The following map of Shelly Beach shows the exact location.

Shelly Beach: Weather Today

📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Today is an underwhelming day for a trip to Shelly Beach, as conditions are not ideal for lounging or swimming. The air temperature reaches a modest 18.7 °C, and with the water sitting at 18.7 °C, the ocean is too cold for comfortable swimming. You will likely encounter persistent light drizzle throughout the day, which keeps the atmosphere damp and cool. Additionally, strong winds are blowing through the area, creating rather choppy water with noticeable waves that make entering the surf challenging. While the sky may have some clear patches, the combination of brisk breezes and intermittent light rain suggests you would be better off planning your beach outing for a day with calmer skies and warmer temperatures.
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Air

Low / High9.8°C/18.7°C
Feels Like (High)16.4°C
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Sea

Sea Temperature18.7 °C
Wave Height1.5 m
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Rain

Rain Chance31%
Rainfall0.7 mm
Rain Duration3 h
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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset06:30/17:20
Sunshine Hours10.1 hrs
UV Index2.4
Cloud Cover14%
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Wind

Speed22.9 km/h
Gusts50.8 km/h
DirectionW

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