The beach patrol season for 2024-2025 is now underway, running from 28 September 2024 to 27 April 2025. Fifteen Central Coast beaches are patrolled daily by lifeguards, with Council lifeguards on duty from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and Surf Life Saving volunteers patrolling on weekends and public holidays. For weekend and public holiday patrol hours, search your local beach on the Surf Life Saving Beachsafe website.
From south to north, the patrolled beaches on the Central Coast are:
- Umina Beach
- Ocean Beach, Umina
- Killcare Beach
- MacMasters Beach
- Copacabana Beach
- Avoca Beach
- North Avoca Beach
- Terrigal Beach
- Wamberal Beach
- Shelly Beach
- Toowoon Bay Beach
- The Entrance Beach
- North Entrance Beach
- Soldiers Beach
- The Lakes Beach, Budgewoi
Council lifeguards will also monitor The Grant McBride Baths seven days a week and The Entrance Channel during school holidays.
During the busy Christmas holiday period (21 December to 31 January), all 15 beaches and The Grant McBride Baths will have extended patrol hours. Visit the Surf Life Saving Beachsafe website for more information.
Year round, we encourage everyone to keep these five safety tips in mind:
- Always take some sort of flotation device
- Never swim alone
- If you’re going rock fishing, be sure to plan ahead - wear appropriate safety equipment, let others know where you are going and carry a phone
- Avoid swimming for at least one day after heavy rain to decrease exposure to stormwater pollution
- When out on the water, be sure to check your vessel, check the weather, wear appropriate safety equipment, prepare children, let others know where you’re going and know what to do in an emergency.
View our beaches page for more information on beach patrol times, water quality, hiring beach wheelchairs for people with a disability and booking an event on one of our local beaches.
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The red and yellow flags identify the area that is under supervision and monitored by staff
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If you get into difficulty, raise your arm, stay calm and yell for assistance. To learn more about how to stay safe at the beach visit Surf Life Saving New South Wales
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Slip on a long sleeve shirt, slop on some sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum), slap on a hat, seek shade, slid on sunglasses. To learn more about how to be sun smart visit Cancer Council website for more sun safety tips!
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No. Children should be supervised by an adult at all times. To learn more about how to stay safe at the beach visit Surf Life Saving New South Wales
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With the push of a button, members of the public can be connected to the SLSNSW State Operations Centre where a State Duty Officer will be on hand to gather important information, issue instructions or provide reassurance in an emergency situation.
The Central Coast has three Emergency Response Beacons located at the following site:
- Budgewoi Beach
- The Entrance Channel
- Pearl Beach
For more information on Emergency Response Beacons visit - Emergency Response Beacons - Surf Life Saving NSW
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To find more information about rock fishing visit NSW Governments Rock fishing safety tips.
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- You MUST always wear a lifejacket that meets Australian Safety Standards. This applies to anyone who is helping you rock fish, as well as children in your care
- Never rock fish by yourself – fish in a group of at least three people and within sight of each other
- Inform others of your plans
- Wear light clothing
- Wear appropriate footwear – cleats, sandals and sandshoes with non-slip soles suit different surfaces. Use the appropriate shoes for the conditions
- As well as wearing a lifejacket, bring something buoyant that can be easily thrown and held onto, to help you stay afloat. Also carry ropes and torches
- Fish only in places you know are safe and never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas. Make sure you are aware of local weather, swell and tidal conditions before going fishing
- Observe first and fish later – spend at least 30 minutes watching your intended spot to get an idea of the conditions over a full swell/wave cycle
- Stay alert – don't ever turn your back on the sea. If the waves, weather or swell threaten your fishing spot then leave immediately
- Do not jump in if someone is washed into the water – use your rope or something that floats to rescue the person. If there's an Angel Ring nearby, know how to use it. Dial 000 on your mobile phone to get help
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Yes. Rock fishing is a dangerous activity.
On the Central Coast it's now law to wear a life jacket when rock fishing – no matter what your skill level or experience, this extends to anyone who is accompanying/assisting.
View NSW Governments Rock fishing lifejacket law and declared areas for more information.
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The minimum safety equipment you must carry depends on the type of vessel you're in and whether you're on open waters or enclosed waters.
Visit NSW Government Boating Safety Checklist to see what you need when you go out boating. -
When out on the water, be sure to check your vessel, check the weather, wear appropriate safety equipment, prepare children, let others know where you’re going and know what to do in an emergency.
To keep up to date with all boat safety messaging visit: