Wategos Beach
About the Beach
You'll find one of Byron's most intimate beaches tucked below the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Wategos is a compact crescent of pale sand that shrinks at high tide, so visit at low-to-mid tide. The headland shields you from ocean swells, giving you calmer water than Main Beach or The Pass. Despite the upscale hotel fronting the beach, the vibe stays relaxed and welcoming.
Swimming is safer here for families. Watch for rips, especially on the eastern side; lifeguards only patrol summer months. The soft right-hand point break is made for longboarders and beginners. You'll often see bottlenose dolphins riding the waves alongside you.
The main drawback: the car park is tiny and fills fast on weekends. Metered parking costs $5/hour, maximum 4 hours, enforced 9am to 6pm daily. Arrive early or walk from The Pass. Free BBQs, showers, and café facilities are on-site. Walk to the lighthouse in 15 minutes for panoramic coastal views. Best visited in autumn or on quiet weekday mornings.
Conditions at 6:29 pm
Strong southerly winds around 29km/h with a pumping 2.1m swell from the south-east. A cool 17°C in the air with comfortable 21°C in the water, and a rising tide. Rainy conditions with a minimal UV index of 0.
Includes weather data from Google
Getting There
Byron Bay, 2481, NSW
10-minute drive from town, but the small car park fills fast on weekends, so arrive before 9am. Park at The Pass and walk over instead, or do the hour-long boardwalk from Byron.
Parking available nearby