Batemans Bay

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Revision as of 10:33, 11 March 2013

Batemans Bay, New South Wales

Batemans Bay Waterfront, Southern NSW Coast - click for larger view

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	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing in the area of Batemans Bay, NSW.

Overview

Batemans Bay is a large bay on the NSW coast. It is very open to the east and has limited shelter, despite its size. The town of Batemans Bay sprawls around the edges of the bay and is accessible to those boats able to cross the shallow bar into the Cylde River. There is a marina, adequate anchorage spaces and full amenities in the town. The Bay is part of the Batemans Marine Park and there are restrictions on fishing in some areas. Boat users must avoid anchoring over seagrass in declared Sanctuary Zones.

Cruising the region

Local Weather

Local weather conditions?

Sources for Weather forecasts:

Charts

Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.

Chart Source

Chart No

Chart No

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

• Marine Rescue Batemans Bay monitors both VHF and HF. They are based on the river bank close to the bar.

Approach and Navigation

The Tollgate Islands form a barrier across the mouth of the Bay, though they do not greatly reduce the swell that enters the rest of the Bay. Black Rock and Trennant Rock lie in the gap to the south of the Tollgates. The Bay is relatively shallow, especially in the north western end and care should be exercised in conditions of large easterly swells.

Note the white sectors of the Square Head light, which define safe approaches into the Bay.

Clyde River Entrance
Click for larger view

The bar at the entrance to the Clyde River is shallow,less than 2.0 metres at high tide (April 2012). There are plans to dredge the bar, but, as at April 20l2, no work had been done. Any easterly swell reaches the bar and causes the whole thing to break. If you are not experienced with bars or lack local knowledge, attempting a crossing could be very dangerous.

There is a conspicuous set of leads identifying the approach to the bar, but there are reports that the leads do not currently show the best approach. Marine Rescue Batemans Bay may be able to clarify this for you. Note that the approach defined by the leads may not correspond with what is shown on some charts.

There are port and starboard markers showing the point at which to leave the track defined by the leads - this is extremely close to the seawall. Once by the seawall, follow the port and starboard markers, staying clear of the sand bank which defines the seaward side of the channel.

Offshore Islands and Groups

List Islands

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• The existing marina has a somewhat run down appearance. There are reports of a redevelopment in the pipeline, but no signs of it commencing at this point. It is a very sheltered location, behind a substantial seawall. There are security gates on all fingers.

Anchorages

• Chain Bay on the northern side of Batemans Bay is an excellent anchorage in northerly conditions. Anchor off the sandy beach in 3 - 5 metres on a sandy bottom. In easterly conditions, swell penetrates the anchorage, but it is still probably preferable to any other anchorage in the outer bay. There is a charted reef on the western end of this bay.
• It is reported that it is possible to anchor behind Snapper Island, from where a good view of the state of the bar could be obtained. This area appears to have limited shelter, but could be OK in suitable conditions.
• Cylde River, east of the bridge, provides a convenient, if cramped, anchorage in the middle of the town. Anchor just outside the permanently moored boats on sand in about 5 -7 metres. Holding appears to be good, but there is a strong tide flow and the consequences of dragging into the bridge just upstream would be significant. At high tide, this anchorage can be a bit mobile as the swell comes in over the sand bar, but at lower states of the tide, it is very comfortable. A dinghy can be taken to the public jetty (closest to the bridge).

Clyde River Bridge
Click for larger view

• Clyde River, west of the bridge, offers more sheltered anchorage. The bridge lifts twice a day to accommodate a cruise boat (11:50 and 14:20 in April 2012) and it is possible to follow this through if prior arrangements have been made and vertical clearance is sufficient for your rig. Call 02 44727263 to check details and make arrangements or contact Marine Rescue Batemans Bay and ask them to assist. Note that less than a mile beyond the bridge, the river is crossed by high voltage wires. It is reported that there is a 15 metre clearance to these wires at HWS, but you should check this before attempting to procede further upstream.
• Broulee Bay, immediately to the south of Batemans Bay offers a couple of good anchorages, depending on conditions. In southerly conditions, anchor inshore of Broulee Island. In northerly conditions, Barlings Beach near Tomakin offers a comfortable anchorage.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

• Power and Sail, 6 Sharon Road Batemans Bay, NSW 2536

Repairs/Yards

• There is a slipway at the marina.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

Available at the marina

Water

Available at the marina

Electricity

Available at the marina

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

List places of interest, tours, etc.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Woolworths, Coles and Aldi have major stores within a 2 minute walk of the public jetty.

Eateries

• There is a large number of restaurants and takeaway stores around the waterfront.

Internet/WiFi

Available?

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

There are good bins all around the waterfront, suitable for disposal of small amounts of rubbish.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

• Batemans Bay is on the Princes Highway.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• Pedro April 2012

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