Green Patch

Meet the site

Green Patch is one of Booderee National Park's most popular beaches and campgrounds, a calm, sheltered stretch of sand on the southern shore of Jervis Bay. Parks Australia describes it as very safe, with calm water suitable for families and people learning water skills, and notes that visitors can see octopus, squid and fish around the rock platforms. The Shoalhaven tourism body also lists it as a good spot for learners.

The rock platforms at each end of the beach carry weed and small ledges where octopus hide, and squid hover over the sand and seagrass, especially during their seasonal egg-laying. Blue groper, luderick, leatherjackets and schools of small fish are common, and rays cross the sand. The park's wildlife is part of the experience – wallabies, lorikeets, parrots and echidnas frequent the grassed areas.

It is primarily a snorkelling and swimming venue with good facilities: picnic areas, gas barbecues and a campground. For scuba, Murrays Beach nearby is the better choice, but Green Patch makes an easy first snorkel or a relaxed shallow dive. The beaches are unsupervised, animals must not be fed, and a Booderee vehicle pass is required. Scottish Rocks, a ten-minute walk away past Bristol Point, offers the park's best snorkelling. Campers can snorkel morning and evening when the water is calmest, and the shallow, sandy bottom makes it a forgiving first snorkel for children. Water temperatures range from about 15 °C in late winter to 23 °C in late summer, so a 5–7 mm wetsuit is sensible for anything longer than a quick summer snorkel, and a hood helps from June to October.

What you might see

Octopus, squid, blue groper, luderick, leatherjackets, schooling fish, rays

Location

Popular calm beach and campground in Booderee National Park with rock platforms at either end where octopus, squid and fish are seen; safe snorkelling for families.

Facilities nearby

Car park, picnic areas, gas barbecues, toilets and campground (bookings required) in Booderee National Park.