Local Attractions

The village

Located on the traditional land of the Gumbaynggirr people, Emerald Beach is a cruisy laid back village just 20kms north of Coffs Harbour and 7kms from Woolgoolga (or Woopi to the locals). Most village residents are locals with a smattering of holiday houses which creates a lovely community vibe. The locals know how lucky they are to be living in such a special part of the world with pristine beaches, awesome surf, stunning landscapes and the connection to nature at their doorstep.

Emerald Beach Park facilities include a playground, showers, toilets, BBQ and picnic area, and boat ramp. Main Beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer holidays.

Emerald Beach is surrounded by the National Park’s Coffs Coast Regional Park and runs along the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Siteseers can expect to see a variety of coastal and bushland birds and the abundant Eastern Grey kangaroo on the headlands, and if you look out to sea you should spot dolphins and (during the appropriate months) migrating humpback whales.

The Coffs Coast Regional Park features diverse native coastal flora including Pandanus Trees, Banksia, native peas, flowering succulents and the threatened species, Zieria, a rare plant with glossy, tough leaves and pink and white blossoms in spring. Visit Look At Me Know Headland Walk.

Monee Beach (5 mins south) or Woolgoolga (7 mins to the north) provide all the services you need outside Emerald Beach. Coffs Harbour City Centre is 20 minutes south with all the major services of a regional city.

Walking

If you have come to Emerald Beach, then you are surely looking to take in the beautiful environment and swim in the sparkling waters. There are a wide range of walks from up the main beach to Fiddaman’s and then on to Sandy Beach. Alternatively, go south around the headlands and walk through the National Park towards Moonee Beach. Wildlife is in abundance, and you will most likely meet a mob of kangaroos along the headland.

Emerald Beach is in the middle of the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, a 60km hike from Sawtell to Red Rock. If you are feeling energetic, pack a backpack and swimmers and head either north or south for a stunning walk along beaches, and headlands, and through rainforest, wetlands, and beachside villages. Other local bushwalks include Bruxner Park Rainforest Walk, Red Rock River, Gumgali Track, Woolgoola Creek Falls, and Bangalore Falls.

Adventures at sea

The Solitary Islands Marine park stretches from Coffs Harbour north to Sandon River and is protected due to its diverse ecosystem containing many threatened and protected species, including Black Rockcod, turtles, whales and seabirds (pied and sooty oystercatchers and ospreys).

Diving

Coffs Harbour Jetty Dive Centre offers regular trips to multiple sites around the Solitary Islands to dive amongst a unique blend of tropical and sub-tropical fish, corals and marine life. Divers from all over the world flock to the Coffs Coast to see Grey Nurse Sharks, Clownfish, Manta Rays, Giant Cuttlefish and Blue Gropers, as well as stunning coral, underwater caves and boulders. Visibility is usually good due to the East Australian Current flushing clean and clear water through the Solitary Islands. Water temperature ranges from 18°C to 22°C in winter and 23°C to 26°C in summer providing a comfortable all-year diving experience.

If you would like to start your diving journey, need to dust up on our scuba driving skills, or take your diving to the next level, Jetty Dive offers learn-to-dive, refresher, and advanced and professional courses.

Jetty Dive also provides snorkelling trips for the competent swimmers to discover the underwater world around the Solitary Islands or swim with the whales (June to October).

Boat Charters

Whale Watching - For those holiday-makers who would prefer to stay dry whilst exploring the ocean, book a Whale Watching tour to watch the migrating humpback whales as they travel up and down the coast. Contact Jetty Dive or Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing.

Deep Sea Fishing - Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing operates fully catered, half-day or full-day, private and shared charters from the Coffs Jetty Marina. Their expert crews have all the local knowledge of the best fishing grounds and high-quality fishing gear so you can just reel them in!

BYO Boat

Emerald Beach is lucky to have its own newly renovated beach boat ramp if you’d like to bring your own boat. For all weather access, Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp (Jortan Esplanade) has a four-lane concrete boat ramp that does not require beach launching or bar-crossing.

Find more information on the Solitary Islands Marine Park here.

Explore the area

Feel like venturing out to explore the local area? Woolgoolga is a short 10km drive to the north; Moonee Beach, Sapphire Beach, and Korora are 8km, 10km, and 14km drive respectively down south. Coffs Harbour airport and all the shopping and excitement of Coffs Harbour are all within 20 minutes' drive.

Local attractions include the Emerald Beach Fair (June long weekend), The Big Banana Fun Park, Treetops Adventures and The Forest Sky Pier in Orara East State Forest, Coffs Jetty and Mutton Bird Island, The Butterfly House, Harbourside Markets, Woolgoolga Markets, Bellingen Markets, Bellingen Canoe Adventures, Woolgoolga Curryfest, and Woolgoolga Falls.

If you like to stay on land, then visit one of our local Golf Clubs at Safety Beach, Coffs Harbour, Pacific Bay, Bonville, or Sawtell, or drop into the Coffs Harbour Golf Driving Range to hit some balls whilst the younger members of the family enjoy an 18-hole mini-golf course.

Explore the Coffs Coast Hinterland and visit

  • Dorrigo National Park, Dangar Falls and the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Skywalk,

  • Bellingen and surrounds, including The Promised Land, Glenifer.

  • Orara Valley Tourist Trail, including Treetops Zipline

  • Wedding Bells State Forest Mountain Bike Track