Jervis Bay

Located on the NSW south coast, 2½ hours south of Sydney and 3½ hours from Canberra, Jervis Bay itself is 15km long and 10km wide. The coastline around the bay is dotted with rocky outcrops, white sandy beaches and friendly coastal towns. A naturally sheltered harbour enclosed by headlands with sheer cliff faces, rising up to 135m above sea level and plunging 40m below. Beneath the surface, you'll find a variety of underwater habitats abundant with marine life, including many protected and threatened species.

This diversity has made Jervis Bay a popular destination for snorkellers and scuba divers worldwide. The unique goegraphy of Jervis Bay provides protection from most weather conditions, while tidal movements cause little restraint to activities. Many of the deeper reefs are only accessible by boat, but there are also many shore dive sites within easy access and close proximity to the amenities offered by the townships of Huskisson and Vincentia.

Known as the gateway to Jervis Bay, Huskisson is central to many of the activities, attractions and services available in the Jervis Bay Area. Named after William Huskisson, a British member of parliament, this town was settled in 1840 at the mouth of the Jervis Bay River, now known as Currambene Creek. Vincentia (formerly known as South Huskisson) offers a small shopping center including a Supermarket, Hardware, Banks and other essential services. These towns and surrounding villages are steeped in history and natural beauty just waiting for you to discover.

For links to information on services, activities and other attractions in Jervis Bay, click here.

The Marine Park boundaries were established in 1998 covering an area of approximately 22,000 hectares. This includes the semi-enclosed waters of Jervis Bay and over 100km of coastline including adjacent ocean extending from Kinghorn Point in the north to Sussex Inlet in the south.

A zoning plan was established in 2002 to ensure conservation of the marine biodiversity while catering to the many recreational and commercial activities taking place within the Park. The Jervis Bay Marine Park users guide contains information outlining the arrangements for recreational users of the park including maps and explanations of the zoning plan. This year, the zoning plan is being reviewed as part of the process. (click here for more information)

The Commonwealth waters lying south in a line from Captain's Point at HMAS Creswell to the Northern point of Bowen Island, form part of Booderee National Park, owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council and jointly managed with Environment Australia. With various authorities managing different areas of Jervis Bay, guided tours are a great way to avoid any confusion, helping to ensure that activities are undertaken in the appropriate areas and that the environment remains protected for future generations.

Further information on