Batemans Bay sits where the Clyde River meets the Pacific Ocean, so the water is the reason most people come. This page covers Batemans Bay cruises and boat trips, and the waterways around them.
Below we set out the coastal journey we list for the area, then the waters and boating history that give the bay its character.
Batemans Bay cruises and tours we list
The listing closest to the water is the 3 Day Murramarang Coast Journey from Batemans Bay, a guided walk that runs for three days and is priced from AUD 1950.
It follows the Murramarang coastline through sandstone formations, open beaches and forested ridgelines. Vehicle support carries your kit between each day's destination, and you stay in beachside cabins within the National Park. All meals and accommodation are included, and the pace is relaxed, low to moderate.
It keeps you on the shoreline rather than on a deck, and it is a sound way to see this stretch of coast. Check current prices and dates with the operator before you book.
The waterways around the town
The Clyde River estuary
The town is built on the shores of an estuary formed where the Clyde River meets the southern Pacific Ocean. That meeting of river and sea is what most boat outings here revolve around. The Clyde is also a working river: oyster farming is one of the local industries, alongside forestry, eco-tourism and retail.
Snapper Island
Snapper Island sits within the bay. It takes its name from the cutter Snapper, the vessel on which Lt Robert Johnston entered the bay in 1821 and explored the lower reaches of the Clyde River. Johnston later returned with Alexander Berry and Hamilton Hume, and they traced the river to its source.
The bay's own name
The Walbunja people of the Yuin nation are the traditional custodians of the land around the bay, and their name for it is Yangary. James Cook first sighted and named the bay on 22 April 1770.
A short history of boats on the Clyde
Boats have shaped this town for a long time. The Illawarra and South Coast Steam Navigation Co found the Clyde River navigable in 1854, and its regular services in the 1860s and 1870s helped the district grow.
Oyster farming began in 1860, and by 1870 there was a fleet of 40 oyster boats. A ferry service across the Clyde ran from 1891 until the bridge opened in 1956. The port and town were proclaimed in 1885.
The water has not always been kind to visitors. In April 1808 the colonial vessel Fly was driven into the bay by bad weather, and a clash with local Aboriginal people left three of her crew dead.
Fishing and time on the water
If you would rather wet a line, our page on fishing around Batemans Bay is the place to start. For other ideas, browse the wider Batemans Bay activities list.
We reckon the estuary is an attraction in itself. Walk the foreshore along the Clyde and you will see why the Sculpture on Clyde festival is set along it.
Getting here and planning a stay
Batemans Bay is on the Princes Highway, about 280 kilometres from Sydney and 760 kilometres from Melbourne. Canberra is about 151 kilometres west via the Kings Highway, which makes it the closest seaside town to the capital.
For somewhere to sleep, see our pages on Batemans Bay accommodation and the Batemans Bay travel guide. For statewide ideas, Visit NSW is the official tourism site. Background on the town is also on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
What tour do you list near Batemans Bay?
The three day Murramarang Coast Journey, a guided walk from AUD 1950.
What is included in the Murramarang Coast Journey?
All meals and accommodation are included, with stays in beachside cabins inside the National Park. Vehicle support moves your kit between daily destinations.
Where does the Clyde River meet the sea?
At Batemans Bay itself. The town sits on the estuary formed where the Clyde River meets the southern Pacific Ocean.
