Do I need to pay to visit Murrays Beach?

Yes — Murrays Beach is inside Booderee National Park and a day pass fee is required for vehicle entry. The fee goes directly toward managing this extraordinary protected area. Check the Parks Australia or Booderee National Park website for current fees.

What marine life can I see snorkelling at Murrays Beach?

Murrays Beach is famous for weedy sea dragons — spectacular creatures related to seahorses. You'll also likely encounter blue-gropers, luderick, bream, wrasse, sea urchins, nudibranchs, sea stars, and if you're lucky, a fur seal patrolling the headlands.

Can I hire snorkelling gear at Murrays Beach?

No — there are no hire facilities at the beach itself. Rent snorkelling equipment from operators in Huskisson before you arrive, or bring your own from home.

How do I get to Murrays Beach?

Drive through Booderee National Park (day pass required) and follow signs to Murrays Beach from the main park road. Alternatively, walk from Greenpatch Campground via a 2.5km track through coastal forest — about 45 minutes.

Is Murrays Beach good for swimming?

Yes — Murrays Beach has calm, clear, protected bay water that is excellent for swimming. The water clarity is extraordinary, making it beautiful even for non-snorkellers. The gradual sandy entry is safe for most ages.

Is Murrays Beach crowded?

Far less crowded than Hyams Beach. The national park entry fee and slightly less accessible location keeps visitor numbers manageable on most days. Summer weekends still see good crowds but nothing like the crowds at Hyams Beach.

Murrays Beach: Snorkelling and Seclusion in Booderee National Park

Murrays Beach is a genuine hidden gem in the Jervis Bay region — a pristine, protected beach tucked inside Booderee National Park that offers extraordinary snorkelling, white sand, and relative seclusion compared to nearby Hyams Beach. While Hyams gets all the headlines for its Guinness World Record white sand, Murrays Beach arguably provides a more complete experience for nature lovers and snorkellers. The beach sits within Booderee National Park, which means entering requires a park day pass, but this also means the beach remains protected and far less crowded than the more accessible beaches nearby. Wildlife is abundant — weedy sea dragons, blue-groper, nudibranchs, and dozens of reef fish species can be found just metres from shore.

Quick Facts
Location	Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, NSW
Distance from Huskisson	Approx. 15 minutes drive
Entry Fee	Booderee National Park day pass required — check current fees
Best For	Snorkelling, marine life, seclusion, nature
Facilities	Basic: toilets, picnic area
Family Rating	4/5 — excellent for nature-focused families

Snorkelling at Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach is widely regarded as one of the best shore-based snorkelling spots in NSW — and the best in the Jervis Bay region. The rocky headlands on both sides of the beach create rich, sheltered reef habitats teeming with marine life. The most sought-after resident is the weedy sea dragon — a spectacular creature related to seahorses that sways gently with the current among kelp beds, camouflaged to near-invisibility. Patient snorkellers who move slowly and look carefully will be rewarded. Blue-gropers — large, brilliantly electric-blue fish — approach snorkellers with easy confidence. Schools of yellowtail, bream, and various wrasse complete an extraordinary underwater tableau. The water clarity is exceptional, often exceeding 12–15 metres. Snorkel gear is not available for hire at Murrays Beach — bring your own or rent from Huskisson before arriving.

The Beach Itself

Murrays Beach is a beautiful crescent of white sand sheltered between two rocky headlands inside Booderee National Park. The sand is not quite as brilliant white as Hyams Beach but approaches it closely, and the beach has a more secluded, natural feel that many visitors prefer. The water is calm and clear — ideal for swimming as well as snorkelling. The beach faces north-east and catches morning sun beautifully, making it a perfect early-morning destination. Basic facilities include a toilet block and picnic tables. The beach is quieter than Hyams Beach on most days because the national park entry fee acts as a natural crowd filter — those who make the trip are typically nature-focused visitors rather than day-trippers.

Getting to Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach is accessed via a sealed road through Booderee National Park, approximately 15 minutes drive from Huskisson. Enter the park at the main gate off Jervis Bay Road (past the Booderee Botanic Gardens turnoff) and follow signs to Murrays Beach. The road winds through spectacular spotted gum and coastal heath vegetation. Entry to the park requires the purchase of a day pass — fees apply for vehicles and go directly to funding management of this extraordinary area. The park is jointly managed by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council and Parks Australia. Check the Parks Australia or Booderee National Park website for current fees before your visit. The car park at Murrays Beach is smaller than Hyams Beach and fills on busy summer weekends — arrive before 9am during peak season.

The Murrays Beach Walking Track

One of the best ways to arrive at Murrays Beach is via the walking track from Greenpatch Campground — approximately 2.5km one way through stunning coastal forest. The track passes through spotted gum woodland, coastal scrubland, and sections of heath before arriving at the beach, and is excellent for birdwatching along the way. Families camping at Greenpatch regularly make the morning walk to Murrays Beach for a snorkelling session before the campground beach becomes more active. Allow approximately 45–60 minutes each way in relaxed conditions. The track is suitable for children aged 6 and above. Download the Booderee National Park track map before visiting as signage can be limited.

What to Bring to Murrays Beach

Murrays Beach has minimal commercial services — no hire equipment, no cafe, and limited shade. Pack comprehensively for a full day visit. Essential items: your own snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins), a wetsuit or rashie for snorkelling outside summer, reef shoes for rocky entry, plenty of water (at least 2L per person — the beach is remote and there is no water available there), sunscreen in high SPF, snacks and lunch, a beach umbrella or shade tent for young children, and a dry bag for valuables. The toilet block at the beach is basic. Everything you bring in, bring out — there are no bins at the beach.

Combining Murrays Beach with Other Activities

Murrays Beach sits within Booderee National Park, making it an ideal component of a full day exploring the park. A natural itinerary: arrive at the park at opening, drive straight to Murrays Beach for morning snorkelling in the calmest conditions, then spend the afternoon at Greenpatch Beach or the Booderee Botanic Gardens before heading back through Huskisson for dinner. The park pass covers you for the entire day, making any combination of park beaches and walks excellent value. Cave Beach, accessible from a separate car park within the park, adds a more dramatic ocean beach experience to contrast with Murrays' calm bay conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay to visit Murrays Beach?: Yes — Murrays Beach is inside Booderee National Park and a day pass fee is required for vehicle entry. The fee goes directly toward managing this extraordinary protected area. Check the Parks Australia or Booderee National Park website for current fees.
What marine life can I see snorkelling at Murrays Beach?: Murrays Beach is famous for weedy sea dragons — spectacular creatures related to seahorses. You'll also likely encounter blue-gropers, luderick, bream, wrasse, sea urchins, nudibranchs, sea stars, and if you're lucky, a fur seal patrolling the headlands.
Can I hire snorkelling gear at Murrays Beach?: No — there are no hire facilities at the beach itself. Rent snorkelling equipment from operators in Huskisson before you arrive, or bring your own from home.
How do I get to Murrays Beach?: Drive through Booderee National Park (day pass required) and follow signs to Murrays Beach from the main park road. Alternatively, walk from Greenpatch Campground via a 2.5km track through coastal forest — about 45 minutes.
Is Murrays Beach good for swimming?: Yes — Murrays Beach has calm, clear, protected bay water that is excellent for swimming. The water clarity is extraordinary, making it beautiful even for non-snorkellers. The gradual sandy entry is safe for most ages.
Is Murrays Beach crowded?: Far less crowded than Hyams Beach. The national park entry fee and slightly less accessible location keeps visitor numbers manageable on most days. Summer weekends still see good crowds but nothing like the crowds at Hyams Beach.