5 Things to Do in Shellharbour This Summer

Summer in Shellharbour is coastal perfection — long golden days, soft sea breezes, and that easy feeling of slowing down as soon as your toes touch the sand. Whether you’re chasing waves, snorkelling in clear bays, or unwinding by the harbour at sunset, this is the season when life feels lighter. Here are five ways to make the most of it.

1. Swim or Surf at The Farm

Start your morning at The Farm Beach (Killalea Beach), part of the stunning Killalea Regional Park. Backed by grassy dunes and headlands, it’s one of the South Coast’s favourite surf spots — a place where nature sets the rhythm. New to surfing? Join a lesson with a local Surf School and learn to ride the waves with friendly local instructors. Prefer something slower? Wander the shoreline or float in the shallows as the sun warms the sand and pelicans drift past — mornings here are pure serenity.

2. Snorkel at Bushrangers Bay

Swap the surfboard for a snorkel and explore Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve, one of Shellharbour’s hidden treasures within Bass Point Reserve. Calm and crystal-clear, the bay is alive with marine life — colourful fish, rays, and, if you’re lucky, a sea turtle gliding by. It’s a gentle, family-friendly spot perfect for first-time snorkellers. When you’re done, enjoy a picnic by the water or a short walk along the headland, where sweeping ocean views stretch as far as the eye can see.

3. Dine by the Water at Shell Cove

When lunchtime arrives, head to the Shellharbour Marina at Shell Cove, the lively new heart of Shellharbour’s dining scene. The boardwalk buzzes with laughter, music, and the scent of fresh seafood drifting from open terraces. Settle in for a relaxed meal at Georgia Rose, where coastal share plates and local wines pair perfectly with ocean views.  After lunch, stroll the waterfront boutiques or grab a gelato before heading back to the beach — this is summer dining, Shellharbour style.

4. Explore the Coastal Walk

To truly take in Shellharbour’s beauty, spend a few hours on the Shellharbour Coastal Walk — a scenic trail linking the harbour, ocean pools, and beaches along kilometres of pristine shoreline. Start from Shellharbour South Beach, wander past rock platforms and headlands, and continue through to Warilla Beach. You’ll pass picnic spots, lookout points, and perfect swim stops along the way. Keep an eye out for dolphins and sea eagles — they often join the view.

Every turn of the path offers another postcard-worthy glimpse of sea and sky.

5. Catch a Summer Sunset

End the day the local way — with fish and chips by the harbour as the sun sets. Find a grassy spot, feel the sea breeze on your skin, and watch the sky shift from gold to pink to deep lilac over the water. Families picnic, couples stroll the breakwall, and children chase seagulls in the fading light. It’s simple, timeless, and unmistakably Shellharbour — a summer moment you’ll carry long after you leave.