Meet the site
Pretty Beach is a small, sheltered beach in Murramarang National Park, a short drive south of Kioloa. It has an NPWS campground and day-use area behind it and is popular with families and kangaroos. The Marine Life Network lists it as a shore dive of 6–10 m, describing it as an easier alternative to the more exposed Murramarang points and a great night dive.
The beach is flanked by rocky reef that runs out into the bay. The reef has kelp and crayweed in the shallows, boulders and ledges, and patches of sand and seagrass. Common fish include blue groper, luderick, eastern rock blackfish, silver sweep, leatherjackets and wrasse, with stingrays and flathead on the sand. Octopus, cuttlefish, sea hares and nudibranchs are regular finds, and at night the reef comes alive with crabs, shrimps and hunting octopus. Weedy sea dragons live in kelp on this coast.
The site suits beginners, snorkellers and night divers. Entry is simple from the beach, and depths never get beyond about 10 m. Because it is in a national park with a campground, it is a convenient base for a weekend of diving on the Murramarang coast, including boat dives at Brush Island or the Batemans Bay sites. Published information on the underwater layout is limited, so explore conservatively on the first dive. The water is part of the Batemans Marine Park, so check zoning before fishing or collecting. Being a sheltered beach, it also makes a good first dive of a trip to check weights and gear before heading out on a boat.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Pretty Beach (Murramarang) is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Ulladulla. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Pretty Beach (Murramarang) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Pretty Beach (Murramarang) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Blue groper, luderick, eastern rock blackfish, silver sweep, leatherjackets, wrasse, stingrays, flathead, octopus, cuttlefish, sea hares, nudibranchs, weedy sea dragons
Location
Sheltered beach and rocky ends at Pretty Beach in Murramarang National Park south of Kioloa; 6–10 m of reef, a good easy dive and night dive.
Facilities nearby
NPWS campground with toilets and showers, day-use parking; kiosk at Kioloa; air fills at Ulladulla or Batemans Bay.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.