Bioluminescent beach at night in Jervis Bay, Australia

Things to do in  Jervis Bay

Wild blue yonder

Punched into the New South Wales coast south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is a nature-lover’s dream. Bounded by headlands, this natural bay is fringed with seaside villages, national parks, and white beaches. Its crowning glory is Jervis Bay Marine Park, where dolphins, seals, penguins, and migrating whales skim the turquoise waters. The best things to do in Jervis Bay center on this natural playground, with dolphin- and whale-watching cruises, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding topping the agenda. Away from the water, outdoor adventures abound, from walking trails and cycling to stargazing.

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Top 2 attractions in Jervis Bay

#1

Kiama Blowhole

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Witness the ocean’s force as it pushes water up through the rocks, creating the spout of the Kiama Blowhole—the biggest natural blowhole in the world. Kiarama-a is believed to be the Aboriginal term, meaning “the noise of the sea.” Explosions of water can reach up to 80 feet (25 meters), which makes for quite the natural spectacle.More
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#2

Jervis Bay National Park

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Jervis Bay National Park, on the South Coast of New South Wales, is a beautiful crescent of white sand and turquoise sea. Visitors come to enjoy a picnic, swim or snorkel, go fishing, walk the coastal tracks, and watch migrating humpback whales in the winter.More
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Top activities in Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay Dolphin Cruise
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Jervis Bay Dolphin Cruise

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$23.11
Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour

Jervis Bay Whale Watching Tour

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$45.57
Jervis Bay Boom Netting and Dolphins Tour

Jervis Bay Boom Netting and Dolphins Tour

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$36.32
Jervis Bay Passage Tour

Jervis Bay Passage Tour

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$59.44
Culburra Beach FAT bike tour

Culburra Beach FAT bike tour

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$49.53
Private Stand Up Paddleboard Group Hire

Private Stand Up Paddleboard Group Hire

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$51.51
Jervis Bay Sunset River 2-Hour Cruise
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Jervis Bay Sunset River 2-Hour Cruise

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$29.72
Half-Day Jervis Bay Sea Kayak Tour

Half-Day Jervis Bay Sea Kayak Tour

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$92.46
Beachside Skydive Sydney-Shellharbour

Beachside Skydive Sydney-Shellharbour

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$283.31
Jervis Bay Beach Stargazing Tour with an Astrophysicist
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Jervis Bay Beach Stargazing Tour with an Astrophysicist

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$56.13
Fishermans Paradise Eco-walk

Fishermans Paradise Eco-walk

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$29.72
Jervis Bay Hidden Secrets Cruise
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Jervis Bay Hidden Secrets Cruise

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$42.93
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All about Jervis Bay

When to visit

With hot summers and mild, sunny winters, Jervis Bay works as a year-round vacation spot. High summer (December-February) brings the best weather—January has average highs of 77°F (25°C), but expect crowds and peak prices. Wildlife enthusiasts may want to time their trip differently. Dolphin-spotting cruises run year-round, but optimal sightings happen from December through May. Whale-watching cruises don’t always sync with peak dolphin sightings, with most of those boats operating May-November to match the annual humpback migration.

Getting around

Renting a car is the easiest mode of transport as public transportation around Jervis Bay’s main towns, such as Huskisson and Vincentia, is limited. Driving is also the best option for getting here: Plan for a roughly 3-hour drive from Sydney along the scenic M1 and Princes Highway. Trains also connect Sydney with the nearest city, Nowra, where you can catch a bus or cab to Huskisson. Time-crunched travelers can also catch guided New South Wales day trips from Sydney, many of them including a Jervis Bay dolphin-watching cruise.

Traveler tips

Jervis Bay isn’t just about wildlife-watching cruises: it’s also woven with bushwalks. One of the best is the 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum circuit, which runs from Greenfield Beach past Chinaman’s Beach—where you can swim in baby-blue waters—and to ocean viewpoints perfect for spotting dolphins and whales. The return Scribbly Gum track winds through woodlands, where you can spot butterflies and occasional possums.

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People Also Ask

Is Jervis Bay worth visiting?

Yes, it’s worth visiting Jervis Bay. Beach, nature, and sports buffs find plenty to do along this spectacular stretch of coastline. Visitors come to spot wild dolphins, whales, and seals; to snorkel, swim, kayak, or paddleboard in the crystalline waters; and to enjoy the national parks, white-sand beaches, and more.

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What is Jervis Bay best known for?

Jervis Bay is known for its scenery and marine life. Bottlenose dolphins can be spotted year-round, and humpback whales appear mostly from May-November. It’s also famous for its sandy beaches, said by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the world’s whitest.

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How many days do you need in Jervis Bay?

How long you need in Jervis Bay depends on you. On a day trip, you can take a dolphin-watching cruise and have beach time. With a week, you can fully experience its beaches, walking trails, and watersports—and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and relaxed vibe in villages like Huskisson.

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What should you not miss in Jervis Bay?

Aside from taking dolphin- or whale-watching cruises, don’t miss Hyams Beach. This gorgeous beach has crystal-clear waters and what some claim are the whitest sands on the planet, making it look and feel like a patch of paradise. However, the beach can get crowded in summer (December-February).

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Is Jervis Bay a town?

No, Jervis Bay isn’t a town. Rather it’s a huge, natural bay set into Australia’s coastline about 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of Sydney. The bay’s northern and southern shores are dotted with small beach resorts and villages including Huskisson, Vincentia, and Hyams Beach, which are known collectively as Jervis Bay.

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What is the best time to visit Jervis Bay?

The best time to visit Jervis Bay depends on what you want to do. For beach-hopping and watersports, come during the main December-February summer season, which coincides with peak dolphin sightings. For a quieter vibe, still-mild temperatures, and the maximum chance of spotting whales, consider May-November.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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