Surf Beach in Kiama is a popular swimming spot – but does it meet the mark when it comes to water quality? Photo: Beachwatch.
Two Illawarra beaches and one in Shoalhaven are among the state’s swimming spots with the highest water quality, but while most waterways from Stanwell Park to Narooma have recorded impressive results, two locations have raised concern.
“Good environmental decisions rely on good science,” NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said.
“Through decades of consistent monitoring, Beachwatch provides the robust data needed to track water quality trends and give swimmers confidence in the information they use.”
Wollongong City, Shellharbour and Warrain beaches have stood out for their sparkling water quality in the latest State of the Beaches report, with the three coastal spots boasting some of the highest sanitation levels and annual grades in NSW.
Forty-five locations were assessed from Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla local government areas, with 40 of those recording ‘very good’ or ‘good’ water quality results, meaning they are suitable for swimming.
Easts Beach, Kendall Beach and Minnamurra River Estuary were all marked as requiring further information through a follow-up.
But two of our beaches, sporting the same name, fell beyond the standard set by the region.
Surf Beach at Kiama dropped from having a ‘good’ for at least the past five years to recording a ‘poor’ result in the 2026 report.
The sanitary inspection of the site showed there were five pollution sources that may contribute to faecal contamination, the most significant being stormwater.
The microbial assessment showed 90 per cent of samples taken in times of dry weather had low levels of the bacteria enterococci suitable for swimming.
However, during wet weather, only 51 per cent of samples showed that low amount.
Higher levels of enterococci were linked to an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness and acute fever and rash.
Stormwater pollution could also continue to impact the site days after rain.
Surf Beach in the Eurobodalla LGA also recorded a ‘poor’ grade – the same result it has had since 2020.
Stormwater pollution was also linked to the contamination of the area, with the microbial assessment reporting that in dry conditions only 74 per cent of samples were suitable for swimming.
That dropped to 46 per cent in wet weather.
Statewide, only four ocean beaches, including the two in our region, recorded a ‘poor’ result or below.
There was overall an improvement of results across the 245 monitored swimming locations, with 79 per cent of sites achieving a ‘very good’ or ‘good’ rating and 97 per cent of ocean beaches recording a result in those top two tiers.
With the exception of Kiama’s Surf Beach, the Illawarra and South Coast results were consistent with the beaches’ performances in previous years.
Warrain Beach was among the state’s top performing spots. Photo: Beachwatch.
Illawarra and South Coast beaches with ‘very good’ grade:
- Stanwell Park Beach
- Coledale Beach
- Austinmer Beach
- Woonona Beach
- Wollongong City Beach
- Coniston Beach
- Fisherman’s Beach
- Warilla Beach
- Shellharbour Beach
- Boyds Jones Beach
- Bombo Beach
- Werri Beach
- Shoalhaven Heads Beach
- Tilbury Cove
- Warrain Beach
- Collingwood Beach
- Cudmirrah Beach
- Mollymook Beach
- Rennies Beach
- Racecourse Beach
- Bawley Point Beach
- Merry Beach
- Cookies Beach
- Malua Bay Beach
- Broulee Beach
- Dalmeny Beach (previously Brou Beach)
- Narooma Main Beach
Illawarra and South Coast beaches with ‘good’ grade:
- Thirroul Beach
- Bulli Beach
- Bellambi Beach
- Corrimal Beach
- North Wollongong Beach
- Port Kembla Beach
- Entrance Lagoon Beach
- Seven Mile Beach Gerroa
- Caseys Beach
- South Broulee (previously Bengello Beach)
- Shelley Beach (Moruya Heads)
- Tuross Main Beach
- Wagonga Inlet
No monitored sites in Bega Valley were recorded as part of this report.
Beachwatch also provides information publicly on the latest sample results recorded at each location, as well as predicted pollution based on forecasts.
“The NSW Government provides real-time information for many popular swimming locations in NSW,” DCCEEW Executive Director of the Science and Insights Division Professor Mark Taylor said.
“This allows the community to make informed decisions on where and when to swim safely.”
The 2026 State of the Beaches and data on individual locations is available on the Beachwatch website.
Original Article published by Keeli Dyson on Region Illawarra.
