Spearfishing the NSW South Coast
The NSW South Coast trades crowds for clarity. Jervis Bay, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Merimbula/Eden give sheltered bays on one side of a headland and open temperate reef on the other.
The coast here faces 62-110 degrees with a bad sector around 2-180 degrees depending on the town, and the bays are what make it workable - Jervis Bay's clear south-eastern shore at Plantation Point, Honeymoon Bay and Abrahams Bosom on the Beecroft Peninsula, Warden Head and Rennies at Ulladulla, Observation and Malua Heads at Batemans, and the wharf dives at Eden and Tathra. Bottom is boulder, ledge and kelp in 3-12 m. Fish are the temperate set: snapper, morwong, yellowtail kingfish, silver trevally, luderick, black drummer and mulloway, with weedy seadragons, fur seals and blue groper (protected from the spear) as regular company.
Late spring through autumn is the core window - the water is warmest and clearest, and the bays hold visibility after a blow far better than the open rock. Winter and early spring are drummer and luderick months; anything with east in it puts the open headlands out, and the answer is to cross to the other side of the point or go inside Jervis Bay.
Rules: NSW DPIRD Fisheries, the recreational fishing fee applies to spearfishers, snorkel only, no hookah, no light with a speargun, no powerheads, lobster by bare or gloved hand, and no spearfishing on ocean beaches except the last 20 m at each end. Eastern blue groper must not be speared. Jervis Bay Marine Park carries 18 gazetted sanctuary zones and Batemans Marine Park likewise splits sanctuary (no-take) from habitat protection and general use - Bowen Island at the bay mouth sits in Commonwealth/park waters and is look-only. Verify zones at https://www.dpird.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/spearfishing and on the park's zoning map. Safety, conditionally: moderate white-shark rating across this stretch, fur seals at Eden and Montague, and rock platforms that wash on any real swell.
Top spots
| Spot | Nearest city | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Currarong reef | Jervis Bay (Huskisson) | Boulder and reef shoreline off the Currarong township, on the north… |
| Bawley Point (Guillotines) | Ulladulla / Batemans Bay | Point and reef at Bawley |
| Observation Head | Batemans Bay | The south head of the bay mouth, taken 85 m off the rock: local… |
| Haycock Point (Beowa NP) | Merimbula / Eden | Rocky headland in Beowa National Park |
| Mummuga Head (Dalmeny) | Narooma | The serrated head where Brou Beach ends at Dalmeny. |
| Oman Point (Rixons reef) | Eden | Rixons Beach lies just west of the point, and shallow rock reefs fill… |
Reserves & no-take zones
- Booderee National Park waters — rod/handline single hook only (spearfishing prohibited); fishing prohibited in listed areas — Spearfishing banned: Spearfishing banned in this protected marine zone.
Cities in this region
FAQ
Is spearfishing allowed in Jervis Bay?
In parts of it. Jervis Bay Marine Park has 18 gazetted sanctuary zones that are no-take; habitat protection and general use zones are open to spearfishing. Bowen Island at the bay mouth is look-only. Check the current zoning map before diving.
When is the best season?
Late spring through autumn for the warmest and clearest water. Winter still fishes for drummer and luderick. Any east in the swell puts the open headlands out, so the bays and the lee side of a point are the fallback.
What can you spear on the South Coast?
Snapper, morwong, yellowtail kingfish, silver trevally, luderick, black drummer and mulloway. Eastern blue groper is protected from the spear anywhere in NSW.
Do you need a licence?
Yes - the NSW recreational fishing fee is mandatory for spearfishers, with 3-day to 3-year options and listed exemptions.
See also: NSW Central — Sydney/Newcastle/Illawarra · QLD South-East