Malua Bay Snorkelling Guide: Guerilla Bay, Mosquito Bay And Rock Coves
The water off Malua Bay sits inside Batemans Marine Park, and the rocky coves either side of the beach are some of the easiest places on the South Coast to put a mask in the water. Spring is when the sea starts to warm, the lifesavers are back on the beach and the calm mornings arrive. This guide covers the closest snorkelling spots first, the marine park rules that apply, how to read the conditions, and how to plan a relaxed snorkel weekend from a base two minutes from the sand.
Key Takeaway
Malua Bay gives snorkellers a cluster of rocky coves within a short drive: Mosquito Bay and Garden Bay to the north, McKenzies Beach about 1 km to the south, and Guerilla Bay, Tomakin Cove and Broulee Island further down the coast. Several are rated for novices, all sit in Batemans Marine Park, and three nearby areas are sanctuary zones where nothing may be taken.
Before You Get Wet
Snorkelling spots are not patrolled, so the checks you make on land do most of the safety work.
1Check wind and swell: Pick a cove sheltered from the day's wind, and skip open sites when a swell is running.
2Never snorkel alone: Go with a partner, wear bright colours and agree on a turnaround point.
3Know the zone: Look up the marine park zoning before you go, especially if anyone in the group fishes.
Match The Spot To The Swimmer
The local guides rate each site, which makes it easy to plan a morning that suits everyone.
1First-timers and kids: Mosquito Bay, Tomakin Cove, the southern side of Guerilla Bay and Candlagan Creek.
2Confident swimmers: Garden Bay, Pretty Point Bay and the Broulee Island bays.
3Experienced only: McKenzies Beach and the deep "pot" at the northern end of Guerilla Bay.
Why Spring Is The Time To Start Snorkelling At Malua Bay
South Coast snorkelling is often thought of as a January activity, but spring is a good time to learn the local sites before the summer crowds arrive.
Long-term averages published by SeaTemperature.org put Batemans Bay's sea temperature at about 18.2°C in October, ranging from roughly 16°C to 20.5°C, rising to an average of about 20.1°C in November. The site describes October water as feeling "cool" and November as "mild". In practice that means most adults will be more comfortable in a wetsuit or at least a thermal top for a longer snorkel, and children will get cold faster than they expect.
The other spring change is on the beach itself. Surf Life Saving NSW raised the flags for the 2026/27 volunteer patrol season on Saturday 26 September 2026, and the season runs until Monday 27 April 2027. Malua Bay Beach is one of the eight patrolled beaches Eurobodalla Shire Council lists, with patrols on weekends and public holidays from October to April and every day from mid-December to the end of January. The snorkelling coves are not patrolled, but having flags on the main beach makes it easy to warm up with a swim in a supervised spot before heading around the rocks.
October is the month to learn the coves. By November the water is milder and you already know which one suits which wind.
Batemans Marine Park: The Rules That Shape Your Snorkel
Every site in this guide sits inside Batemans Marine Park, which was established on 30 June 2007 and covers about 85,000 hectares of ocean, estuaries, creeks, rivers and lakes between Murramarang Beach in the north and Wallaga Lake in the south. It is zoned to protect marine life while still allowing a wide range of recreation, so snorkelling, swimming and paddling are welcome throughout.
The zone you are in decides what else is allowed. The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development describes sanctuary zones as giving "the highest level of protection for biodiversity and natural and cultural features", where only non-harmful activities such as boating, surfing and snorkelling are allowed. Collecting is not allowed in sanctuary zones. Habitat protection and general use zones allow recreational fishing under the normal rules.
Three sanctuary zones matter most for Malua Bay visitors: Guerilla Bay Beach, the stretch from Burrewarra Point to Long Nose Point, and Broulee Island. The department notes that the old fishing amnesties at those three locations have ceased, so the full sanctuary rules apply. If anyone in your group plans to throw a line in between snorkels, check the zoning first.
Sanctuary zone
Look, swim, snorkel and photograph. No fishing and no collecting of shells, animals or plants.
Habitat protection zone
Recreational fishing allowed under NSW rules, with limits on collecting set by the department.
Check before you go
The FishSmart NSW app, the interactive map and the downloadable zoning map show exactly where each zone begins.
Mosquito Bay: The Easiest First Snorkel Near Malua Bay
For most groups, Mosquito Bay is the right first stop. It is one of the small protected coves just north of Malua Bay Beach, and the Nature Coast Marine Group rates it as a novice site. You enter from the boat ramp carpark or the pebble beach beside it, and the council's tourism site notes the bay has a café, a public boat ramp and resident stingrays.
The better snorkelling is along the northern side of the bay, where the Nature Coast Marine Group describes "rocky ridges with gutters in between with good kelp cover and fish life". Swim slowly along the edge of those gutters rather than straight out into open water; that is where the fish shelter and where the water stays shallow enough for beginners to feel comfortable.
Picnic tables, toilets and café access mean one adult can mind the bags while others take turns in the water. Keep well clear of the boat ramp and any boats launching or returning, and stay close to the rocks rather than drifting into the channel.
Stingrays are part of the charmIf you see rays in the shallows, give them plenty of room, never touch or feed them, and shuffle your feet when walking in on sand so you do not step on one resting on the bottom.
Garden Bay: A Small Cove For A Second Morning
Garden Bay is another small cove north of Malua Bay, reached from Iluka Avenue. The Nature Coast Marine Group rates it as a novice site and points out its folded rock formations, which create underwater gutters where "bullseye fish like to hang out". It is a good follow-up once the group has had a first snorkel at Mosquito Bay and wants something a little different.
The key thing to know is the wind. Garden Bay is exposed to north-easterly and easterly winds, so it is best on mornings when the breeze is light or coming from the west or south. On a spring afternoon when the north-easter sets in, the water can turn choppy and cloudy quickly, which is when it is better to swap to a southern cove or leave the snorkel for tomorrow.
McKenzies Beach And Pretty Point: For Experienced Snorkellers Only
McKenzies Beach sits off George Bass Drive, about 1 km south of Malua Bay Beach, in the lee of the clifftop headland called Pretty Point. It is close enough that it often looks like the obvious choice from the house, but the council's snorkelling and kayaking guide rates it for experienced snorkellers only.
The reason is exposure. The site is open to the swell, which can affect visibility, and the depth is around 5 to 8 metres. On a calm day the reward is good: the guide lists Port Jackson sharks, crayfish and gropers. On a day with even a moderate swell, the surge around the rocks makes it unpleasant and unsafe for anyone who is not confident in the ocean.
Pretty Point Bay, entered from McKenzies Beach via Illabunda Drive, is rated intermediate by the Nature Coast Marine Group. Near-shore rocks carry kelp that gives way to urchin barrens further out, and the group records finding a small blind shark on one visit. Treat both as calm-day, confident-swimmer sites, and never go out if you are unsure whether the swell is dropping or building.
If you can see waves breaking over the rocks at Pretty Point from the road, today is a day for a sheltered cove instead.
Guerilla Bay: The Sanctuary Zone Snorkel South Of Malua Bay
Guerilla Bay, reached via Beach Parade, is a short drive south of Malua Bay past Rosedale and one of the stops on the NSW Government's Batemans Bay Snorkelling Trail. The trail describes the bay's rocks as "the oldest geological rock formations on Eurobodalla's coastline", and the South Coast Travel Guide notes that the landform in this bay is over 500 million years old.
The bay has two personalities. At the northern end is "the pot", a deep hole with rock ridges that the council's guide suggests for experienced snorkellers and divers, with reef walls that "extend at roughly a 35-degree angle and sheer walls stretch to ten metres". The southern side is more sheltered and suits beginners. Listed marine life includes mado, sweep, rock cale, blue groper, crimson-banded wrasse, nudibranchs, eels and stingrays.
Guerilla Bay Beach is a sanctuary zone, so there is no fishing and no collecting of anything, including shells and animals from the rock pools. There are no shops in Rosedale or Guerilla Bay, so bring water, snacks and everything you need from Malua Bay.
Swim only in calm conditionsThe South Coast Travel Guide notes that swimming and snorkelling at Guerilla Bay suit calm conditions. Take care near clifftops and overhanging rocks on the way in and out.
Burrewarra Point: Walk, Wartime History And Whale Views
Pair a Guerilla Bay snorkel with the walk to Burrewarra Point. A 1.5 km Banksia Walk starts at the carpark on Burri Point Road and leads through native banksia forest to the headland, where the Snorkelling Trail notes a viewing platform and a Second World War bunker.
That bunker is what remains of a radar station. According to the South Coast Travel Guide, "The station was operational from April 1943 to 21 January 1945, giving radar coverage to the waters off this coast."
Eurobodalla's tourism site describes Burrewarra Point as perfect for beach and headland walks and for land-based whale watching in spring, so bring binoculars in October and November and treat any sighting as a bonus. The headland has unfenced cliff edges and is not suitable for small children to run ahead, so hold hands near the edge.
The waters from Burrewarra Point to Long Nose Point are a sanctuary zone, and the Department lists Burrewarra Point among the places where endangered grey nurse sharks are found. They are protected, and special rules apply to diving and snorkelling where they gather, so read the grey nurse shark guidance on the Batemans Marine Park pages if you plan to go deeper than the shallows.
Tomakin Cove And Barlings Island: Shallow Water For Families
For families with younger swimmers, Tomakin Cove is one of the gentlest options in this part of the coast. The council's guide places it on Red Hill Parade, accessed through the Barlings Beach carpark, and describes it as a "protected, sandy cove with shallow lagoon-like qualities" suitable for novices, groups and families.
Look for stingarees, eagle rays, whiting, mullet and garfish over the sand. The Nature Coast Marine Group notes that the Tomakin side of Barlings Island has sandy shallows with strap weed seagrass and large pinkish sea squirts, while the island itself is accessed by a dirt track near the Barlings Beach caravan park and suits novice to intermediate snorkellers.
Shallow sandy water is where children learn to float face-down and breathe calmly through a snorkel, so it makes an ideal first lesson.
Candlagan Creek And Broulee Island: Worth The Slightly Longer Drive
A little further south, two sites round out a snorkel weekend. Candlagan Creek at Mossy Point, reached from Beach Road off Annetts Parade, is an estuary that runs from the northern end of Broulee Beach about 5 km inland. The council's guide rates it for children and families and lists juvenile mullet, bream, black fish, flathead and whiting.
Two cautions come with it: the current can be strong on an outgoing tide, and the rocks carry sharp oysters. Plan to snorkel around the top of the tide and wear reef shoes or old sneakers.
Broulee Island, from the Harbour Drive carpark in Broulee, is rated for all skill levels. The northern bay near Pink Rocks is 2 to 4 metres deep, with reef systems to the south and a drop-off to about 30 metres offshore. This is where the council's guide mentions the endangered weedy sea dragon and the eastern blue devil fish. Broulee Island is also a sanctuary zone, so the same look-but-never-take rules apply.
How To Read The Conditions Before You Choose A Cove
Snorkelling rewards patience more than distance. The Nature Coast Marine Group's site notes assume "favourable conditions (light winds, calm conditions, minimal current)" and warn that "anywhere can become unsafe in poor conditions". Use a few simple checks before leaving the house.
Wind
Morning breezes are usually lighter. Avoid Garden Bay in north-easterly or easterly winds and pick a cove with land between you and the breeze.
Swell
Open sites such as McKenzies lose visibility quickly in a swell. If waves are breaking over the rocks, choose a sheltered cove or wait a day.
Tide
Estuary sites like Candlagan Creek can run hard on an outgoing tide. Plan creek snorkels around high water.
If the water looks murky from the shore, a beach walk may be a better plan than a cold, cloudy swim.
Remember that the snorkelling coves have no lifesavers. If you want to swim in the surf, use Malua Bay Beach between the red and yellow flags during patrol times. Surf Life Saving NSW's message for the new season is simple: swim between the flags and follow the advice of lifesavers and lifeguards.
Snorkelling With Children: A Gentle Plan That Works
Children enjoy snorkelling most when the first session is short and shallow. Start in the sandy shallows of Tomakin Cove or the southern side of Guerilla Bay and let them practise standing up before they swim.
Give every child an adult buddy in the water, not just on the beach. Bright rash vests or swim caps make it easier to keep track of heads among the kelp, and the council's safety advice is to wear bright coloured clothing and always take a snorkelling partner.
Keep sessions to 20 or 30 minutes in October and bring a warm layer and a hot drink for afterwards.
Rock pools are a good half-way step for younger kids. Look closely and leave everything as you found it; in sanctuary zones, collecting is not allowed at all.
What You Might See Under The Water
The Eurobodalla coast is known for kelp beds, sponge gardens and rocky reefs, and the council's guide describes "waving sponge beds and lush green kelp forests" and "large cruising rays". Species recorded by local guides at the sites in this article include:
Reef fish
Mado, sweep, rock cale, bullseyes, red morwong, luderick, bream and crimson-banded wrasse around the rocks.
Bigger visitors
Blue groper, stingrays, eagle rays, Port Jackson sharks and, around Broulee Island, weedy sea dragons.
Small wonders
Nudibranchs, sea squirts, urchins, starfish and crayfish tucked into cracks and gutters.
Wildlife is never guaranteed. Float quietly, let animals come to you, and never touch, feed or chase anything.
Add A Paddle: Batehaven To Mossy Point And The Tomaga River
Groups with kayaks or experienced sea paddlers can see the same coast from above. The council's snorkelling and kayaking guide includes a sea paddle from Corrigans Beach at Batehaven towards Mossy Point, following the coast south-east and keeping a safe distance from the cliffs. It is up to 20 km in total with shorter options, and Mosquito Bay's boat ramp is noted as a landing option. The guide flags the sections near Pretty Point, Jimmies Island and Burrewarra Point as challenging.
For calmer water, the Tomaga River route from Mossy Point is flatwater, up to 11 km one way, launching near the boat ramp on Annetts Parade or from Kingston Place at Tomakin. The guide notes shallow areas above oyster leases and strong tide near the mouth.
Wear a life jacket, keep out of busy boating routes and log your trip with Marine Rescue by radio or app.
Why Skye's Beach House Suits A Malua Bay Snorkel Weekend
A snorkel weekend is built around early starts, short sessions and a lot of coming and going, so the base matters more than people expect. Skye's Beach House in Malua Bay is a two-minute walk from Malua Bay Beach, which means you can check the water with a coffee in hand before deciding which cove suits the day.
This listing is the whole upstairs stay, with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and room for up to 14 guests. The upstairs front balcony faces the Malua Bay Beach side of the property and the kitchen windows have water views, so reading the morning conditions is part of breakfast rather than a separate trip.
Cold spring water is where this house really earns its place. Coming back from a 20-minute October snorkel to two hydrotherapy spas and a five-person outdoor infrared sauna with red light therapy is a genuinely good way to warm up. An upstairs laundry helps with a constant supply of wet towels and rash vests, and the full kitchen with an island bench, dishwasher and large fridge makes it easy to feed a hungry group straight after a swim.
The backyard BBQ area with smoker, gas pizza oven and outdoor dining space suits a long lunch after a morning in the water.
About this stay
Where Skye's Beach House fits a Malua Bay snorkel weekend
Skye's Beach House is a two-minute walk from Malua Bay Beach, so you can check the wind and swell before breakfast and choose the right cove for the day. The upstairs stay sleeps up to 14 across four bedrooms, with a full kitchen and upstairs laundry for all those wet towels.
After a cool spring snorkel, two hydrotherapy spas and a five-person outdoor infrared sauna make warming up easy, and the games room keeps everyone busy when the wind turns and the coves cloud over.
Snorkelling groups rarely move as one. Some people want two sessions a day, others one, and children often need a break long before the adults do. A large house lets those rhythms happen side by side.
Families can use the fenced backyard with lawn and the swing set while one adult rinses gear, and older kids can head to the games room, which includes two Daytona racing machines with 151 racing games, a four-player shooter arcade with 4,700 games, a virtual pinball machine with 1,300 games and digital darts. If the wind swings north-east and the coves cloud up, that games room turns a lost morning into a highlight.
Multi-family groups and friends travelling together benefit from the flexible sleeping on the upper level, including a king main bedroom, a queen room, a room with two double beds and a room with two tri-bunk beds. A travel cot can be provided on request. Fast 657 Mbps Wi-Fi helps with checking forecasts and swell apps, an EV charger is available at the property, and the digital house guide includes local beach and food recommendations.
Check the live listing for current sleeping arrangements, access and house rules before booking.
A Three-Day Malua Bay Snorkel Weekend
Day One: Arrive, Walk To The Beach, Learn The Coves
After check-in, walk the two minutes to Malua Bay Beach and read the wind and swell. On a patrolled weekend, have a swim between the flags. Drive past Mosquito Bay and Garden Bay so everyone knows the access points, then keep the evening simple with the barbecue.
Day Two: Mosquito Bay Morning, Guerilla Bay Afternoon
Start early at Mosquito Bay while the breeze is light. Snorkel the gutters on the northern side, warm up at the café and head home for the spas. After lunch, if conditions hold, drive south to Guerilla Bay for the sheltered southern side, then walk the 1.5 km Banksia Walk to Burrewarra Point for the wartime bunker and a scan for whales.
Day Three: Let The Wind Decide
If the wind is light and from the west or south, try Garden Bay or return to your favourite spot. If a north-easter is blowing, head south to Tomakin Cove, or plan a Candlagan Creek snorkel around the top of the tide. If the sea is simply too rough, enjoy a slow morning at the house, a sauna session and a final walk on the beach before you leave.
What To Pack For Spring Snorkelling
Bring your own well-fitting mask and snorkel if you have them, because a leaking mask ruins a first snorkel faster than cold water does. The council's guide notes you can book a guided tour, bring your own equipment or hire when you get here; if you plan to hire, confirm availability and hours before you travel.
In the water
Mask, snorkel, fins, a wetsuit or thermal top for October, and a bright rash vest or cap for each child.
On the rocks
Reef shoes or old sneakers for slippery and oyster-covered rocks, plus a small first-aid kit.
After the swim
Warm layers, towels, a thermos, snacks and water, especially for Guerilla Bay where there are no shops.
Add sunscreen and hats, and a dry bag for phones and car keys.
Before You Leave Home: Your Snorkel Checklist
1Forecast: Check the wind direction and strength for each morning of your stay.
2Swell and surf: Check current beach and swell conditions, and patrol times for Malua Bay Beach on Beachsafe.
3Marine park zones: Look up Guerilla Bay, Burrewarra Point and Broulee Island on the Batemans Marine Park zoning map or FishSmart NSW app.
4Gear: Test masks for fit, pack wetsuits or thermal tops and reef shoes.
5Buddy plan: Pair every child with an adult and agree on a turnaround point and time.
6Stay details: Check the latest bedding, access and house rules on the listing before booking.
Plan Your Malua Bay Snorkel Stay
The coves around Malua Bay are at their most rewarding when you have time to wait for the right morning. A stay of three nights or more gives the wind a chance to settle and lets you try a northern and a southern site. Browse the Skye's Beach House upstairs stay to check dates and the current setup, or see every WTP stay on the book your stay page.
For more ideas on the Eurobodalla coast and the other places WTP guests stay, visit the WTP Holiday Home Guides.
Conditions and rules changePatrol times, marine park zoning and site access can change. Check Beachsafe, Eurobodalla Shire Council and the Batemans Marine Park pages before every trip.
FAQs About Snorkelling Near Malua Bay
Where is the best snorkelling near Malua Bay?
For beginners, Mosquito Bay just north of Malua Bay Beach and the sheltered southern side of Guerilla Bay are good starting points, with Tomakin Cove a gentle sandy option further south. Confident snorkellers can add Garden Bay and Broulee Island, while McKenzies Beach and the deep northern "pot" at Guerilla Bay suit experienced snorkellers in calm conditions only.
Is the water warm enough to snorkel in October?
It is cool. Long-term averages from SeaTemperature.org put Batemans Bay's sea temperature at about 18.2°C in October and 20.1°C in November. Most people are more comfortable in a wetsuit or thermal top, and children should keep sessions short.
Is Guerilla Bay a sanctuary zone?
Yes. Guerilla Bay Beach is a sanctuary zone within Batemans Marine Park, and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development notes that the former fishing amnesty there has ceased. Snorkelling and swimming are allowed, but fishing and collecting are not.
Can I fish where I snorkel around Malua Bay?
It depends on the zone. Fishing is not allowed in sanctuary zones such as Guerilla Bay Beach, Burrewarra Point to Long Nose Point and Broulee Island. Habitat protection and general use zones allow recreational fishing under NSW rules, including licence and bag limits. Check the zoning map or FishSmart NSW app before fishing.
Is Malua Bay Beach patrolled?
Malua Bay Beach is one of Eurobodalla's patrolled beaches. Council information describes weekend and public holiday patrols from October to April and daily patrols from mid-December to the end of January. The 2026/27 NSW volunteer season began on 26 September 2026. Check Beachsafe for current patrol times. The snorkelling coves themselves are not patrolled.
Is snorkelling around Malua Bay suitable for children?
Yes, at the right sites and in calm conditions. Tomakin Cove, the southern side of Guerilla Bay, Mosquito Bay and Candlagan Creek at high tide are good family options. Give every child an adult buddy in the water, use bright rash vests and keep sessions short in cooler months.
What marine life can I see snorkelling near Batemans Bay?
Local guides record mado, sweep, rock cale, blue groper, bullseyes, red morwong, luderick, wrasse, stingrays, eagle rays, Port Jackson sharks, nudibranchs, crayfish and, around Broulee Island, weedy sea dragons. Sightings are never guaranteed.
What is the Batemans Bay Snorkelling Trail?
It is a NSW Government and Eurobodalla tourism trail linking three snorkelling sites: Maloneys Beach, Sunshine Cove Beach and Guerilla Bay. Entry is free, and Maloneys Beach has barbecues, picnic areas, parking and public toilets.
What is at Burrewarra Point?
A 1.5 km Banksia Walk from the carpark on Burri Point Road leads to the headland, where a concrete bunker remains from a Second World War radar station that operated from April 1943 to 21 January 1945. It is a good spring whale-watching spot, but the cliffs are unfenced.
How far is Skye's Beach House from the beach?
The listing describes Skye's Beach House as a two-minute walk to Malua Bay Beach, with Mosquito Bay, Garden Bay and McKenzies Beach a short drive away. The upstairs stay has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and room for up to 14 guests.
How can I warm up after a cold spring snorkel?
Bring warm layers and a hot drink for the beach. At Skye's Beach House, the two hydrotherapy spas and the five-person outdoor infrared sauna make an easy warm-up after an October swim.
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