Wamberal Lagoon or Wamberal Beach: Which is best for swimming?
Wamberal Lagoon on the NSW Central Coast is better than Wamberal Beach for swimming. But watch out for water quality after a storm.
Wamberal on the New South Wales Central Coast is sandwiched between the better-known Terrigal and Forresters Beach. That said, the boundaries are somewhat confusing. Part of Terrigal Beach is in Wamberal, and Wamberal Point is in Forresters Beach.
Wamberal Beach is a beauty, though, partly due to what’s behind it. The southern end of Wamberal is more or less part of Terrigal, with housing built on top of the dunes. But the further north you go, the more wild and serene it gets.
Wamberal Beach is backed by the Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve. The centrepiece of this, predictably, Wamberal Lagoon. The lagoon provides an alternative swimming spot to the beach.
Swimming near Wamberal Surf Club
Like neighbouring Forresters Beach, Wamberal Beach gets good surf, with fairly reliable beach breaks. It isn’t a great swimming beach, however, as it is riddled with rips. Stay between the flags near the Wamberal Surf Club if you’re planning to swim here.
Alternatively, just go to the Wamberal Surf Club for food and drinks, and swim in the Wamberal Lagoon instead.
Wamberal Lagoon swimming and wildlife
The Wamberal Lagoon often looks stunningly pretty. As the Central Coast lagoons go, the water is fairly clean, too. But be aware that it is largely made from storm water, and the associated run-off. After a storm, Wamberal Lagoon can be a bit iffy for swimming.
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The 50 hectare lagoon isn’t deep – the average depth is about 1.7 metres. Much of Wamberal Lagoon is better for paddling in than swimming in. But swimmers can have a swim unencumbered by waves and rips.
It’s also worth having a walk around the Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve. Plenty of wildlife hangs out here. Birdlife includes white-bellied sea eagles, whistling kites, egrets, ospreys and kookaburras. There are also tree frogs and ringtail possums.
More Central Coast highlights
Australian Reptile Park | Bouddi Coastal Walk to Macmasters Beach | Bulgandry rock art site | Glenworth Valley |