Punched into the New South Wales coast south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is a nature-lover’s dream. Bounded by headlands, this natural bay is fringed with seaside villages, national parks, and white beaches. Its crowning glory is Jervis Bay Marine Park, where dolphins, seals, penguins, and migrating whales skim the turquoise waters. The best things to do in Jervis Bay center on this natural playground, with dolphin- and whale-watching cruises, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding topping the agenda. Away from the water, outdoor adventures abound, from walking trails and cycling to stargazing.
With hot summers and mild, sunny winters, Jervis Bay works as a year-round vacation spot. High summer (December-February) brings the best weather—January has average highs of 77°F (25°C), but expect crowds and peak prices. Wildlife enthusiasts may want to time their trip differently. Dolphin-spotting cruises run year-round, but optimal sightings happen from December through May. Whale-watching cruises don’t always sync with peak dolphin sightings, with most of those boats operating May-November to match the annual humpback migration.
Renting a car is the easiest mode of transport as public transportation around Jervis Bay’s main towns, such as Huskisson and Vincentia, is limited. Driving is also the best option for getting here: Plan for a roughly 3-hour drive from Sydney along the scenic M1 and Princes Highway. Trains also connect Sydney with the nearest city, Nowra, where you can catch a bus or cab to Huskisson. Time-crunched travelers can also catch guided New South Wales day trips from Sydney, many of them including a Jervis Bay dolphin-watching cruise.
Jervis Bay isn’t just about wildlife-watching cruises: it’s also woven with bushwalks. One of the best is the 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) White Sands Walk and Scribbly Gum circuit, which runs from Greenfield Beach past Chinaman’s Beach—where you can swim in baby-blue waters—and to ocean viewpoints perfect for spotting dolphins and whales. The return Scribbly Gum track winds through woodlands, where you can spot butterflies and occasional possums.
