This azure blue rockpool is a rare treat, it’s completely cut off from the ocean keeping it so still that not even a ripple breaks its surface, yet close enough to the water that the high tide flushes it clean on a daily basis.
Added to that, it’s absolutely beautiful with crystal clear water and plenty of tiny colourful fish to admire. It’s a dreamy spot for a dip, but if you can tear yourself away before the tide comes in, there’s a second stunning rockpool just a few minutes walk away.
Oh and did I mention it’s just around the corner from where you can have an incredible close up encounter with the friendly local sting rays? It would be hard to think of a better way to spend a few hours on the South Coast.
Safety info: tide & swell
The rockpools are best visited on a low to mid tide. The main rockpool is nicely protected and you can probably get away with a swell on the lower scale of moderate, however, a slight swell is always best.
The second rockpool is much more exposed to the waves and for this one you definitely want a slight swell. It is worth noting rogue waves are always a possibility at any rockpool even when the swell is forecast to be slight. You can see the tide and swell forecast here.
The walk to Bendalong Blue Pool
The stats
Distance: 400m each way
Elevation gain: 10m
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Boat Harbour Beach, Bendalong Point
Summary: Provided you have the right tide and swell the walk to both rockpools is easy. It’s flat but for the odd few rocks you need to climb over.
The rock is grippy when dry but watch out for the wet areas with kelp which can be slippery. You will need shoes to reach the rockpools as the rocks can be sharp in places.
The walk to the rockpools
From the Boat Harbour Beach boat ramp, you head down onto the sand and will likely be greeted by the sight of several rays gliding through the water close to shore.
If you haven’t been down to meet the locals before, then definitely head into the shallows for a close up encounter. All the details on what to expect from the ray encounter can be found in this guide.
To find the rockpools you head right when you hit the beach and after 40m you will reach the rock platform. Follow this rock platform and you will round a corner after 110m.
You will now traverse the rock platform which is generally flat, though there are one or two rocks you need to climb up and over (all easy). The cliff walls are impressive as are the views out to the vast ocean.
After 300m (from the car park) you will begin heading left, further out onto the rock platform. You will come to the main rockpool 100m later, or 400m after leaving the car park.
Swimming at the Bendalong Blue Pool
Bendalong Blue Pool is such a delight, the water colour and clarity is superb and there are plenty of colourful little fish to keep you company.
We even saw a baby Gloomy octopus which was a first for me. I had never swum with an octopus in my life and then had two encounters in the same month (the first time was at Mystery Bay, Narooma).
You can just about make out the baby octopus!
The water is very deep and it’s rock and weed free, so you can swim the full length of the pool. Having the rockpool completely cut off from the waves means the water is as still as a millpond on a windless day, which isn’t common in rockpools and makes this one of the most relaxing rockpool swims in the state.
I was totally charmed by it, especially as it had a huge cliff wall as a backdrop, which makes it especially picturesque.
It is, however, very open to the elements, so if you’re visiting on a windy day you’re going to get the full brunt of it. Opt for a calm day to keep that still water surface and to avoid getting blasted as you swim.
Entering the water is easy at either end of the pool. You can step down onto a tiered rock shelf allowing for a straightforward entry and exit.
The turquoise rockpool
The second rockpool is just 50m away, but located right on the edge of the rock shelf. This means it’s much more exposed to the waves and even on a slight swell some small waves entered the pool.
It would be too rough for swimming on anything above a slight swell.
To find it, from the Bendalong Blue Pool, head north for 50m and you can’t miss it (it’s on the north western part of the rock platform).
It’s not fully enclosed like the main rockpool, but it’s still quite sheltered and the water colour here is just gorgeous.
It’s so clear and the sandy bottom makes it a relaxing swim spot. I was lucky enough to swim with a small ray here which was very exciting.
To enter the pool, you simply step down off the rock shelf and into the water, which is nice and easy and the sandy bottom makes it comfortable underfoot.
The water is not as deep as the main rockpool but deep enough to swim easily at mid tide. It’s so beautiful and showcases yet more great views of the cliffs and a sea of eucalyptus trees.
The combination of the two pools and the nearby sting rays make this one of the best possible adventures to be had on the NSW South Coast.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Please remember to wear reef safe sunscreen to protect the marine life inside the pools.
Getting to the Bendalong Rockpools
The closest car park to the rockpools is beside the boat ramp at Boat Harbour Beach in Bendalong, you can see the exact location on Google maps here.
There are toilets and showers for you to wash off just set back from the car park beside the beach. There isn’t a huge amount of parking beside the beach, but there were still plenty of spaces when we visited on a weekend.
The car park is around a 35 - 40 minute drive from Huskisson, Jervis Bay.
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There’s a lot more to Jervis Bay than just beaches, within a short drive you can find secret waterfalls you can swim under, stunning rockpools, mountains hikes, cliff top infinity pools and even a tunnel you can crawl through to reach an amazing viewpoint. We’ve covering all of that and more, including the best beaches in this guide to the best things to do in Jervis Bay.