Surfing and swimming
Coffs Coast is 90km of golden beaches separated by headlands. A visit to Coffs Coast isn’t complete without getting your feet wet in our part of the big ocean. There are lifeguards on duty at certain times and days on our most popular beaches during the warmer months of the year. Check with the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre so you can swim safely between the flags. And of course, you’ll have to surf a wave or two! You can hire gear from local surf shops or take a lesson from one of our skilled surfing professionals. Coffs Coast has a number of excellent surfing spots, so sound out the locals on the day to find the best waves.
Kayaking & canoeing
Coffs Coast’s rivers and creeks are ideal for exploration by kayak or canoe. You can spend hours paddling your way across calm waters surrounded by nature. Often the only sounds you’ll hear are the birds and the rustling of leaves. Try Bonville Creek in Bongil Bongil National Park, Coffs Creek in Coffs Harbour, Red Rock River in Red Rock or the Bellinger River between Bellingen and Raleigh. Kayaks and canoes can be hired in several locations, or you can join an organised group tour. Ask the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre for details.
Boating and fishing
If you’re a boating or fishing enthusiast, Coffs Coast is the ultimate holiday destination for you. You can join a fishing charter for a morning of exciting game, reef or deep-sea fishing, or take your own boat out to sea or onto one of our rivers for a great day out on the sheltered waters of a wide estuary for instance. Public boat ramps can be found right along the coast to launch your vessel. A number of local fishing tackle shops open from early morning so you can get some fresh bait and tips on the best fishing spots before you head out. Beach and rock fishing are also very popular on Coffs Coast, so try your luck and you may enjoy your own freshly caught bream or whiting on the barbecue in the evening!
Whale and dolphin watching cruises
Between late May and early November, thousands of humpback whales migrate north along the east coast to breed in warmer waters, then return with their calves to summer feeding grounds in the Antarctic. Whale watching is an increasingly popular activity along Coffs Coast. You can join one of several cruise operators who leave the Coffs Harbour International Marina daily (weather permitting) for a few hours out at sea. It usually won’t take long before the first whale is spotted, and you’ll get a great close-up look at these incredible creatures and their antics. Dolphins are also often seen, and you can enjoy a dolphin watching cruise throughout summer.
White-water and surf rafting
If you like your water activities somewhat more adventurous, you’ll be glad to know that Coffs Coast is a great destination to go white-water rafting and surf rafting. The Nymboida River in the Coffs Coast hinterland is one of Australia’s top white-water rafting rivers. Join an expedition led by qualified experts and you’ll soon find yourself riding wild rapids and plunging through rocky gorges and calm, rainforest-fringed reaches. A slightly different, but no less exciting, rafting adventure can be experienced at sea, where you can join a group on an inflatable rubber raft and surf the Coffs Coast ocean swell. Whichever way you choose, it’s no doubt the experience will make you feel more alive than ever!
Scuba diving and snorkelling
Warm waters and a rich variety of sea life make Coffs Coast an underwater paradise for scuba divers and snorkellers. The Solitary Islands Marina Park protects islands, shores, reefs, beaches and estuaries along a 75km stretch of coast from Coffs Harbour northwards. Two great ocean currents meet and mingle in these waters, bringing together a spectrum of marine species from the tropical north and the cooler south. Snorkelling is possible in many locations close to our shores. Some excellent dive locations exist just a short boat ride away, where you’ll see beautiful corals and a wide variety of creatures. Among them could be endangered grey nurse sharks, turtles and the endemic banded anemone fish (Nemo!). Arrange a trip with one of our local dive shops or hire your gear and a charter boat for your own adventure.