Sanctuary Point (NSW, Australia)
Palm Beach car parking
Palm Beach launch area
Palm Beach
Palm Beach
Palm Beach
Sanctuary Point Boat Ramp
Grassy rigging area at boat ramp
Looking south from boat ramp
looking north along the speed strip at the boat ramp
Sanctuary Point is located 15 mins drive SW of Huskisson, Jervis Bay
There are 3 main launch areas
Paradise Beach, Palm Beach and Boat Ramp
Sanctuary Point is located on St George Basin on the south coast of NSW approximately 184km (2.5 hours drive) south of Sydney and 15 mins drive to Huskisson on Jervis Bay.
This spot is renowned for its flat water and has a speed strip for speed sailing which runs due north of the Sanctuary Point Boat ramp and is ideal in a NE breeze.
There are several launching spots depending on the wind direction on the day covering virtually 360 degrees however Southerlies (mostly winter) and westerlies can be a bit gusty. Primbee on Lake Illawarra is a better option for flatwater in a westerly.
For kitesurfers the launching spots are a little limited due to trees close to the water. You will need to water launch so this is not a place for beginner kitesurfers.
The water is shallow for some way out making it an ideal and safe place for beginner and improver windsurfers.
In some of the spots windsurfers may need a weed fin depending on the amount of weed as it varies from year-to-year. Most of the weed is close to the boat ramp so once you get away from this you should be ok without a weed fin.
If you are on a foil (wingfoil or windfoil), the water is deep enough in the middle of the lake but you will need to walk out 50 to 100 metres.
The water in the lake is clean and pretty clear and pretty warm in the summer months.
Access & Launching
SW to NE breeze – launch from the Sanctuary Point Boat Ramp. When the wind is from the NE the speed strip to the north works. There is a café within a short walk. This is also the best spot for kitesurfers to rig and launch as it is more open than the other spots.
W to SE breeze – launch from Palm Beach. Here you will find free parking, a gassy rigging area and sandy beach. There are also public toilets and a playground for the kids. There is a café within a short walk. Unfortunately this spot is not dog friendly. The water here is the perfect depth for beginners with a firm sandy bottom. Further out the water gets deeper over a weedy bottom. There appears to be no hazards at this spot. By the time you reach the weed bed the depth is around waist to chest deep so foiling at this spot would be possible.
SW and NW breeze – launch from Paradise Beach. This is also a great sheltered spot for beginners and kids. There is a nice grassy rigging area and sandy beach to launch. Public toilets and kids playground are also available here.
Hazards
The main hazards here are getting caught up on weed of fin strikes on sandbars.
Kite surfers may find launching conditions to be challenging due to trees close to shore so wet launch & recovery only.
Foilers need to stay out in the middle of lake and be aware of possible sandbars.
Accommodation
Sanctuary Point has a lot of different accommodations options to suit everyone’s tastes and budgets with inexpensive cabins and campground at the Palm Beach Caravan park.
Another option is the White Sands Caravan Park and Huskisson Beach Caravan Park are about 15 minutes drive from Sanctuary Point
There are also plenty of holiday houses in the area.
See online booking options for Sanctuary Point accommodation here.
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- E
- S
- W
- NE
- NW
- SE
- SW
- Flat Water Blasting
- Speed Sailing
- Bump and Jump
- Freeride
- Freestyle
- Foiling
- Longboard Cruising
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Flat Water
- Chop
- Lake
- Moderate Temp Water
- Sand
- Weed
- Easy Launching
- On-site Parking
- Free Parking
- Kiosk
- Cafe
- Kids Playground
- Public Toilets
- Weed
Sanctuary Point
New South Wales
2540
Australia
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1 Review on “Sanctuary Point (NSW, Australia)”
I sailed here in late November 2022 on a Severne Fox 105 with 7.5m freeride sail.
I launched from Palm Beach which is a really nice spot with a grassy rigging area and sandy beach. There are car parks adjacent to the rigging area so you can rig right in front of your vehicle. The walk out in the shallow water is also sandy and I only had to walk about 10m from shore to get going. Further out the bottom was very weedy but deep enough not to catch on the fin. In fact I believe this spot would also work well for foilers as it is neck deep about 50 – 100 m from shore.
The water was surprisingly clean with a brown tinge and the temperature was like a bath.
When I arrived the wind was blowing a solid 20 knots rom the SE. Unfortunately by the time I rigged it had dropped off quite a but and became very gusty and full of holes. Even when the wind was blowing the chop was minimal. So needless to say my session was a bit frustrating.
Overall I liked this spot and I felt safe sailing without anyone else out on the water.