Go to Belongil Beach in Byron Bay for a nude beach, smaller crowds and surfing at the Wreck. It is also home to a range of accommodation from the luxurious to the very affordable.
Belongil Beach is part of the reason Byron Bay in northern New South Wales has become such a popular resort town. Before everyone wanted a piece of Byron Bay, the town was popular with backpackers. And before that, it was popular with surfers.
The reason it was popular with surfers is not because Byron Bay Main Beach is great for surfing. It’s because there are several beaches, facing in different directions, that are great for surfing. If the surf isn’t up at one of them, then it probably will be at another. Hence Byron Bay surfing lessons tend to shift location a little depending on conditions.
8 great things to do in Byron Bay
- Experience the region’s glorious natural landscapes from above – on a hot air balloon ride.
- Go kayaking with dolphins – and get much closer to them than on a boat tour 🐬.
- Learn to surf – on a half day surf lesson 🏄♀️.
- Discover the local secrets – let a guide show you the hidden beaches and waterfalls 🏖️.
- Go on a three habitat wildlife safari – spotting koalas, kangaroos and flying foxes 🐨🦘.
- See glowworms light up the World Heritage-listed rainforest.
- Explore the Byron Bay hinterland – including the rainforest walk to Minyon Falls.
- Taste craft beers and spirits – on a tour of Byron’s breweries and distilleries 🍻.
- Also try… Skydives | Sea-kayaking | Whale-watching.
Surfing at Belongil Beach
Dune-backed Belongil Beach, north-west of Byron Bay town centre, is one of these beaches. Some reckon it’s the best beach in Byron Bay, and the white silica sands are certainly impressive.
The best surf break at Belongil Beach is the Wreck, an often fierce right-hander. To non-surfers, the Wreck is the remnants of the SS Wollongbar shipwreck. The hull and boilers can still be seen at low tide.
Belongil Beach is 2.5km long and stretches from the Main Beach seawall to the mouth of Belongil Creek. It changes character somewhat along the way. The southern end is considerably busier, and is patrolled by lifeguards during summer and Easter. On busy days, the southern end of Belongil Beach can feel like an extension of Byron Bay main beach. But it is the safest part of the beach for swimming.
Byron Bay nude beach
Further along Belongil Beach is an unofficial clothing-optional section. If you want a nude beach in Byron Bay, this is the place to come.
If you’re staying in Byron Bay, Belongil Beach feels much less hectic and circus-like than the town. There are plenty of holiday lets, but otherwise Belongil Beach accommodation is a curious mix of fancy and frugal. The plush Elements of Byron is here, but other Belongil Beach accommodation options include the Wake Up Byron Bay hostel and the Discovery Parks holiday park.
Belongil Beach: key visitor information
Belongil Beach is largely unpatrolled — swim with caution outside the patrolled area and hours. Free street parking is available within short walking distance of the beach.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| Is Belongil Beach patrolled by lifeguards? | Only at the southern (town) end of the beach, from mid-December to the end of January, plus Easter. The rest of Belongil Beach is unpatrolled at all times. Swim with caution, particularly near the creek mouth. |
| How much does it cost to visit Belongil Beach? | Free. |
| Is there parking at Belongil Beach? | Free street parking is available on Childe Street, Border Street, Don Street, and other residential streets close to the beach. Spaces fill early on summer weekends. The northern end of the Main Beach car park is the closest paid option ($4 per hour; 4-hour limit strictly enforced 9am–6pm daily, including public holidays). |
| Where is Belongil Beach? | North-west of Byron Bay town centre, approximately 1km from the main beach. Walk from the northern end of Main Beach car park, or access via Childe Street, Border Street or Don Street. |
| Is Belongil Beach dog-friendly? | Yes. The off-leash dog exercise area runs from Manfred Street to the Main Beach car park, including Cavanbah Reserve. Dogs must be under control at all times. |
| Is Belongil Beach good for snorkelling? | Yes, at the Wreck. The SS Wollongbar shipwreck at the southern end of the beach is accessible at low tide for snorkelling — hull and boilers are visible. |
| Is there a nude section at Belongil Beach, Byron Bay? | Yes, informally. There are no officially designated nude beaches in New South Wales, but a clothing-optional section has been used informally for many years further north along the beach. |
| What is the SS Wollongbar at Belongil Beach? | A steam paddle-wheel vessel that ran aground at Byron Bay in 1921. At low tide, sections of the hull and boilers are visible from the beach. |
| What accommodation is near Belongil Beach? | Options range from the luxury Elements of Byron resort to the Wake Up Byron Bay hostel and the Discovery Parks holiday park. |
| How long is Belongil Beach? | 2.5km, stretching from the Main Beach seawall to the mouth of Belongil Creek. |
Things to do near Belongil Beach, Byron Bay
Byron Bay Main Beach – A short walk south of Belongil, Main Beach is the most popular patrolled beach in Byron Bay, with year-round lifeguard cover, easy café access and the Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club.
The Pass – Around 3km east of Belongil on the other side of the bay, The Pass is Byron Bay’s famous long-board break, with peeling right-handers and generally more sheltered conditions.
Cape Byron Lighthouse headland walk – From The Pass, a circular walking track climbs to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, passing the most easterly point of mainland Australia and offering sweeping views of the bay.
Tallow Beach – South of Cape Byron, Tallow Beach stretches 7km and offers a wild, remote feel. The Suffolk Park section is dog-friendly and includes an off-leash zone.
Byron Bay town centre – Jonson Street’s cafés, restaurants, independent boutiques and weekly markets are all within easy walking distance of Belongil Beach.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Why Ballina is more than just a gateway town for Byron Bay.
- Byron Bay beach guides: Wategos Beach, Tallow Beach, Broken Head Beach and Whites Beach.
- Cape Byron Lighthouse visitor guide: Including crucial parking information and the Cape Byron Walking Track.
- Crystal Castle near Byron Bay: Practical visitor guide.
- Killen Falls visitor guide: How to get there from Byron Bay or Ballina, plus whether it’s safe to swim.
