Jervis Bay sunset
CategoriesAustralia Surfing By Sam Barnes

Locals Guide – Best things to do in Jervis Bay

Heather from Salty Lotus was kind enough to answer a few questions on what she considers the best things to do in Jervis Bay. We are convinced, it is time for a trip to the South Coast of NSW!

Heather – A typical day for us would start with taking our dogs to Nelson Beach – off leash before 8am and after 4pm – for a frolic with their furry friends. We often see sea eagles, and If we are lucky, we see and sometimes even swim with dolphins! There is a strong sense of community, with the same people there every morning regardless of the weather. But it is also lovely to meet visiting dogs and make new friends, so everyone is welcomed.

Jervis Bay Beach Options

Cave Beach

If there is no wind, we head to Booderee National Park for a surf at Cave Beach. When there is no surf we sometimes go snorkelling at Murray’s Beach.

Collingwood Beach

On a windy afternoon, we go kiteboarding or ‘wing dinging’ at the north end of Collingwood Beach. Friends and family enjoy coming down to the rocky outcrop at Moona Moona to watch.

kiteboartding jervis bay

Greenfields Beach & Hyams Beach

When we have visitors staying with us, one of my favourite activities is to have a picnic at Greenfields Beach, then wander along the white sands walk and Scribbly gum track, all the way to Hyams Beach.

Other things to do in Jervis Bay

On a still afternoon, a sunset SUP yoga class will leave you floating. It will be be equally challenging, hilarious, and a blissfully relaxing. With the sun setting over the hills in the west and at the same time the moon rising in the east, it is magical experience. Only surpassed by a full moon SUP yoga class.  

Nearby Nowra is a sport climbing mecca, but Point Perpendicular, the north headland of Jervis Bay offers some of the best sea cliff climbing in Australia. My neighbour offers ‘cliffnics’ through his company Outdoor Raw. Enjoy local wine and produce while suspended from Shoalhavens most amazing cliffs – the best date ever!

Other notable mentions include Kraken Sourdough for a delicious late breakfast and grab some quality bread for lunch. If the weather is bad, grab some popcorn and catch a movie at Huski Pictures – a quaint theatre in a former community hall built in 1913. Or meet some friends at one of the local breweries for a catch up over a craft beer.

Tell us more about SUP Yoga

For experienced yogis, being immersed in nature adds a new dimension, and being on a floating SUP engages different muscles, increases your focus and challenges you in ways you can’t imagine.

But SUP yoga is for everyone, yogis and non-yogis alike, paddlers and non-paddlers. 

It is a playful, fun, full body work out that will have you laughing until your abs hurt, then feeling the deepest sense of peace as you end the class lying on your back in savasana, with your eyes closed and only the sound of the water lapping at your SUP, birds calling and a gentle breeze rustling the beach vegetation in the distance. Try it – even the staunchest sceptics are won over well before the end of a class.

SUP Yoga Jervis Bay

Thanks for your detailed locals guide Heather!

If anyone is in Jervis Bay, we highly recommend you reach out and book a SUP Yoga class with https://www.saltylotus.com.au/

CategoriesGold Coast Surfing By Sam Barnes

Why we love Cabarita Beach

As Gold Coast locals, we love Cabarita Beach as a super quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the City. The perfect spot for a morning surf or afternoon drink. Although it is becoming more and more popular, the vast majority of tourists usually skip Cabarita Beach and head straight to Byron Bay for a day trip from the Gold Coast. 

Things to do at Cabarita Beach

Cabarita Beach is famous for two things; Surfing 

Cabarita Beach Hotels

Things to do at Cabarita Beach

 
Noosa
CategoriesAustralia Surfing By Huw Williams

First Point Noosa – Worlds Longest Wave?

First Point, Noosa does not always produce the goods. But when it does work, you better come prepared, because this wave is a serious leg burner!

Huw Williams from Coastal Content was in the right place at the right time when Cyclone Seth bought some excellent surf to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Now before there is any backlash on the claim, the wave has not been submitted to the Guinness World Record book, but we think it is worth a mention!

Mentawai Island
CategoriesSurfing By Sam Barnes

The Ultimate Indonesian Surf Trip – Pit Stop Hill, Mentawai Islands.

It was almost over before it began..

The journey to the Mentawai Islands involves a 4-6 hour boat trip from Pedang to the islands. Unfortunately for us, the usually calm crossing was borderline dangerous. 3-4 meter choppy wind swells had 6 out of the 10 lads on board holding on for dear life whilst taking it in turns of being sea sick directly off the back of the boat. One freak wave even had the navigator air born before slamming hard back on deck. I would be lying if I didn’t mention the thought of capsizing didn’t cross my mind. For context, one of the lads on board had done the same trip 7 times (14 if you count both ways) and mentioned it was freakishly bad. So I hope that hasn’t deterred anyone from making the journey, because even for us, it was well worth it!

Mentawais journey

Mentawai Surf 

Now to be honest, I was the amateur of the group. I literally bought my first short board about 2 weeks before the trip. I was well outside of my comfort zone at times. But luckily for us, our surf camp included two fast boats. One headed to the absolute best spot for anyone wanting to charge and the other to a more forgiving break each day. We also lucked out (in my opinion) by not having any pulsing swell above 5 foot. However I did hear stories of the famous spot “Bank Vaults” getting pretty heavy. 

Metawais surf break

 

Looking over towards E-Bay Surf Spot

PitStop Hill

As it was our groups first trip, we might be biased. But it does seem Pit Stop Hill is the crème de la crème of surf camps in the Mentawai Islands. A beautiful villa style resort for a maximum of 10 guests, with around 15 staff helping make the experience worth remembering. The Villa has an epic look out over the originally named Pit Stop Surf Spot and a big open living area for all the day of surfing debriefs. Special mention to our surf guide FAUZIIIII, full of energy and absolutely ripped when he felt like showing us kooks off in the nicest possible way. 

Pit Stop Hill Accom

Mentawai Islands, We will be back

But incase life gets in the way, I made a video to look back on for years to come. Special mention to Tommy Williams Photography for the epic shots (He was half Surf guide, half photographer on our trip) These last few shots were his, and his photos feature throughout my video. Hope you enjoy!