Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour, is arguably the city’s best family beach. Next to Coffs Harbour railway station, Jetty Beach faces towards Muttonbird Island and has a park with excellent facilities.
Where is Jetty Beach?
Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour, lies between Coffs Harbour Marina and Corambirra Point. It faces out towards Muttonbird Island.
The beach is approximately 1.4km long, and is one of the most popular beaches in Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour railway station is just behind Jetty Beach.
Is it safe to swim at Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour?
It is relatively safe to swim at Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour. This is partly because it is patrolled by surf lifesavers during the NSW school summer holidays, and partly because Muttonbird Island offers substantial protection.
There is some surf at Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour, but waves tend to be small to medium-sized. It is more suited to beginner surfers than those looking to tackle big breaks.
The best family beach in Coffs Harbour?
There’s a strong argument for Jetty Beach being the best family beach in Coffs Harbour. This is partly because it’s fairly close to the city centre and partly because swimming is relatively safe. But it’s mainly because of the facilities in the park behind it.
Here, you’ll find toilets, showers, barbecues and picnic shelters. A kiosk and café are also nearby.
There’s also a solid children’s playground in the Jetty Foreshores Park. Equipment includes a slide, swings, seesaw, climbing apparatus and a flying fox.
Other Coffs Coast beaches worth checking out include Charlesworth Bay Beach, Corindi Beach, Emerald Beach, Sapphire Beach and Sawtell Beach.
Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour: key visitor information
The official patrol schedule is detailed below — always check the current schedule on the Coffs Harbour City Council website before relying on lifeguard presence.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| When is Jetty Beach patrolled by lifeguards? | Council-employed lifeguards patrol Jetty Beach every day from 27 December to 26 January, 9am–5pm (AEDST). This is a shorter patrol season than Park Beach, which is patrolled from September to April. |
| How much does it cost to visit Jetty Beach? | Free. |
| Where is Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour? | Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450. Adjacent to the Coffs Harbour Marina and a short walk from Coffs Harbour Railway Station. |
| Is there parking at Jetty Beach? | Yes. Free parking is available on Jordan Esplanade and adjacent streets. Spaces fill quickly on summer weekends. |
| What facilities are at Jetty Beach? | Toilets (including accessible facilities), showers, barbecues, picnic shelters, a children’s playground, a kiosk, a café, free WiFi, and the Jetty Foreshores Park. |
| Is Jetty Beach wheelchair accessible? | Yes. Jetty Beach is rated 5/5 for accessibility by Accessible Beaches Australia. A Mobi-Mat providing smooth access to the water is in place year-round (except during rough sea conditions). Beach wheelchairs are also available. An accessible hoist, accessible toilets, showers, change rooms (including a Changing Places facility with hoist and adult change table) and accessible parking bays are all provided. |
| Are dogs allowed at Jetty Beach? | No. Dogs are not permitted at Jetty Beach. |
| Is there a children’s playground at Jetty Beach? | Yes. Jetty Foreshores Park behind the beach has a playground with a slide, swings, seesaw, climbing apparatus and a flying fox. |
| How far is Jetty Beach from Coffs Harbour railway station? | Just a few minutes’ walk. The station is immediately behind the beach. |
Things to do near Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour
Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve – A short walk from Jetty Beach along the breakwall, Muttonbird Island is home to a large colony of wedge-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds) and offers panoramic coastal views. Entry is free.
Coffs Harbour Marina – Directly adjacent to Jetty Beach, the marina is the departure point for diving, fishing and whale-watching charters, with several cafés and restaurants along the precinct.
Park Beach – Coffs Harbour’s main ocean beach, around 2km north of Jetty Beach, with a longer patrol season (September to April) and a wide stretch of surf beach.
Sawtell Beach – Around 10km south of Coffs Harbour, this laid-back beach town has a strong local café scene, a patrolled beach and a more relaxed atmosphere than central Coffs Harbour.
Charlesworth Bay Beach – A sheltered, family-friendly bay to the north of Jetty Beach, popular with snorkellers and those seeking calmer conditions away from the main beaches.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour.
- Solitary Islands Aquarium guide: What to expect at Coffs Harbour’s aquatic wildlife favourite.
- Coffs Harbour Butterfly House visitor guide: With ticket prices, opening times and what to expect other than butterflies.
- Bago Maze visitor guide: What to expect at Australia’s largest hedge maze.
- Mid-North Coast beach guides: Burgess Beach in Forster.
