Where are the patrolled beaches across the Mid North Coast?

Beach patrol season started in September and will continue until April 2026. This means beachgoers can expect to see Surf Life Saving volunteers and professional lifeguards patrolling popular beaches on weekends and public holidays. 

On the Mid North Coast, there are some beaches patrolled seven days a week, all year round.

There are eight Surf Life Saving branches across the Mid North Coast with beaches patrolled from the City of Coffs Harbour Local Government Area (LGA) to MidCoast.

🏖️ The region’s North

There are seven beaches patrolled during summer across the City of Coffs Harbour LGA, with some having a longer season than others.

Coffs Harbour’s main surf beach, Park Beach, is patrolled seven days a week throughout the year.

Sawtell Beach is patrolled every day from the beginning of the NSW School Holidays in September until the end of the NSW School Holidays in April the following year. As is Woolgoolga Beach.

Diggers Beach is patrolled every day between the first Monday of the NSW School Holidays in September until the last Friday of the NSW School Holidays in October. And then again during the school holidays in December until the last Friday of the holidays in January. The beach is again patrolled every day during the school holidays throughout April. 

Emerald Beach and Jetty Beach are both patrolled every day between December 27 and  January 26  the following year.

Red Rock is patrolled every day between the first Monday of the NSW School Holidays in December until the last Friday of the NSW School Holidays in January.

In Bellingen Shire there are two beaches that are patrolled from September to April: North Beach at Mylestom and Hungry Beach at Urunga.

To find out which beaches in the Nambucca Valley are patrolled, head to https://beachsafe.org.au

🌊 Kempsey Shire and Port beaches

This summer’s school holiday lifeguard service for Kempsey Shire starts at Grassy Head and Horseshoe Bay on Saturday, December 20, and at all other surf club beaches – Main Beach at South West Rocks, Hat Head and Crescent Head – from the following Monday, 22 December 2025. 

There are six patrolled beaches spanning from Port Macquarie to Camden Haven. 

Town Beach in the heart of Port Macquarie is patrolled all year by the Australian Lifeguard Service, 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. 

Flynns Beach is patrolled from September to April.

Lighthouse Beach, Lake Cathie Beach, Rainbow Beach and North Haven Beach are patrolled during school holidays only.

☀️ MidCoast Beaches 

According to MidCoast Council’s website, Crowdy Head Beach is patrolled during the summer months.

Forster Main Beach is home to Forster Surf Life Saving Club and a patrol roster.

Old Bar Beach is patrolled on weekends during the warmer months and seven days a week during the Christmas school holidays.

ℹ️ More Tips

Surf Life Saving NSW has a Beachsafe website and App including current information and conditions for every beach in Australia. It shows patrol services, hazards and facilities as well as weather, swell and tide details.

You can also complete Beach Passport which is a 10-minute online course to help you stay safe at the beach.