Werri Beach at Gerringong, with surf, a lagoon and an ocean pool

Know Werri Beach before you go

Werri Beach (NSW 397 on the Surf Life Saving register) fills the first broad valley south of Kiama. It starts at Red Cliff in the north and curves south past the houses of Werri Beach and Gerringong to a rock platform at the southern end, where it turns to face north-east. BeachSafe lists it as 1.7 km long, and its description puts the full sweep at about 1.9 km.

The southern end is the main hub. Pacific Avenue runs behind it, with the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, the Gerringong Bowling Club and Werri Beach Holiday Park across the road, and the ocean pool on the rocks. The northern end has Werri Lagoon and the end of the Kiama Coast Walk.

• Length: about 1.7 km (BeachSafe)
• Hazard rating: 7 out of 10 on BeachSafe
• Patrols: Gerringong SLSC volunteers on weekends, plus weekday patrols in the summer holidays
• Dogs: off-leash in the signed middle section, sunrise to sunset
• Facilities: toilets, showers, picnic tables, playground, outdoor gym equipment, kiosk
• Address: Pacific Avenue, Werri Beach NSW 2534
• From Kiama Ridge Waters: about 9 minutes by car (8 km)

The beach was first known as Lagoon Beach. A recreation ground opened there in 1899, a surf club formed at the southern end in 1914, and the present Gerringong SLSC dates from 1953, according to the BeachSafe history.

Swim at the southern end between the flags

Werri is an exposed surf beach, and BeachSafe rates it 7 out of 10 for hazard. Waves average about 1.6 m in the north and 1.4 m in the south. There is usually one sandbar with up to 10 rips, including a strong permanent rip against the northern headland and another along the southern rocks. BeachSafe also flags heavy shorebreak, travelling rips, bluebottles and sharks.

BeachSafe's advice is to stay in the south, swim between the red and yellow flags, or use the rock pool. North of the patrol area the beach is more hazardous.

Kiama Council's 2026 to 2027 timetable lists these patrols for Werri Beach:

• Weekends and public holidays: 26 September to 25 April, by Gerringong SLSC volunteers
• Monday to Friday: 21 December to 29 January
• Easter school holidays: 12 to 23 April 2027

Outside those dates the beach is unpatrolled. Check BeachSafe for today's swell, tide and patrol status, and NSW Beachwatch after heavy rain. For calmer water closer to our apartments, see Easts Beach or our Kiama beaches guide.

Surf the point and the beach breaks

Werri is a reliable surf beach. Destination Kiama describes consistent breaks at both ends, with a good wave often peeling off one of the headlands.

Werri Point: the south point breaks over a rocky reef and makes a fuller wave closer to shore that longboarders like. Destination Kiama says it stays smooth even when the summer nor'easter is blowing. BeachSafe notes it can produce long rights over the southern reef.

The beach breaks: these move with the sandbanks. Destination Kiama says there is often a decent wave in front of the Werri Beach Fish Shop, about three-quarters of the way down the beach. BeachSafe notes that access to the surf is across the fenced dune.

Keep clear of the rips beside the rocks. More breaks are in our Kiama surf guide.

Swim in the Ourie Ocean Pool

The South Werri, or Ourie, Ocean Pool is cut into the rock shelf at the southern end of the beach. It is irregular in shape with a smooth, sloping concrete floor, and a separate concrete wading pool for children sits beside it. Destination Kiama calls it a relaxing place to swim away from the surf.

Reach it from Pacific Avenue or Geering Street. There is parking, public toilets and change rooms. Destination Kiama lists the pool as not catering for people with access needs, so expect uneven ground on the rocks. Ocean pools are washed by the sea, so stay out when big waves break over the wall.

The Boat Harbour rock pool is around the headland on the Gerringong side. Our Kiama rock pools guide compares both with the pools in town.

Paddle or fish on Werri Lagoon

Werri Lagoon sits at the northern end of the beach, off Werri Street. Destination Kiama calls it a great place to drop in a line or go for a canoe. There are toilets, a picnic area, a small car park and street parking along Werri Street.

The lagoon is an intermittently closed and open lake. Sand builds up across the entrance and closes it, then heavy rain or big seas break it open to the ocean. When it is open, Ooaree Creek runs across the northern end of the beach. Kiama Council can also open it when the water reaches flood levels.

When the entrance is open, the walk along the sand between the lagoon and the rest of Werri Beach can be cut off. When Werri Lagoon opens to the sea, the southern end of the Coast Walk closes at the lagoon. Check the council's Werri Lagoon page or call the Kiama Visitor Information Centre on 1300 654 262 before you set out.

Cast a line from the rocks or the gutters

BeachSafe describes the southern rocks as wide and flat, with good access to deep water. Up the beach, gutters are common, especially in front of the lagoon entrance in the north.

Rock fishing is risky on an exposed platform like Werri Point. Wear a life jacket, check the swell and never turn your back on the sea. Our Kiama fishing guide covers the rules and other spots.

Bring the dog to the off-leash section

Werri is one of three beaches in the Kiama area with an off-leash dog section, alongside Bombo and Jones. Kiama Council allows dogs off-leash from sunrise to sunset. Destination Kiama says the area is off Pacific Avenue, opposite the surf club, the bowling club and the holiday park, and that dogs are only allowed in the middle of the beach. Follow the signs to find the zone and keep dogs on a leash getting there.

Most of our apartments take pets on request, with a $200 pet cleaning fee. See pet-friendly accommodation in Kiama.

Finish the Kiama Coast Walk at Werri

Werri Beach is the end of the Kiama Coast Walk. The South Section runs 6 km from Loves Bay at Kiama Heights to Gerringong, taking about 2 hours. Destination Kiama grades it medium to hard. It zig-zags south across coastal pastures and exposed clifftops, with a notable number of hills and climbs, and the South Coast railway runs alongside. Some sections run along unprotected cliff tops, so keep children close.

From Werri Lagoon, Destination Kiama suggests two finishes: follow Belinda Street 1.4 km to Gerringong station for the train back, or carry on round the headland to Boat Harbour. Gerroa is about 45 minutes further on foot.

If you would rather not walk back, Destination Kiama lists a Walk, Eat and Ride offer at the Gerringong Bowling Club, with a ride back to Kiama if you spend $20 or more. Call (02) 4234 1414 to check it is still running. Our Kiama Coast Walk guide covers every section.

Eat, play and stay on Pacific Avenue

Everything at Werri sits along Pacific Avenue, across the road from the sand. Council lists picnic tables, a playground, outdoor gym equipment, paved paths and toilets at the beach, and the reserve can be hired for weddings through council. BeachSafe adds showers, BBQs and shade.

Destination Kiama and Visit NSW both mention the Werri Beach Fish Shop, about three-quarters of the way down the beach. It has no website listing hours, so check it is open before you go. For more food in the village, see Gerringong cafes and restaurants and Kiama fish and chips.

Watch for whales from Gerringong Headland

The Gerringong Whale Watching Platform sits on the cliffs of Gerringong Headland, reached from Belinda Street near the cemetery. It is about a 14-minute walk (0.9 km) from the surf club at the south end of Werri Beach. Visit NSW recommends it for whales heading north from late May to July and south from September to November. It does not cater for people with access needs.

Pair it with a swim at Boat Harbour and a coffee in the village. Our whale watching guide lists every lookout from Minnamurra to Gerroa, and our Gerringong guide covers the rest of the town.

Get to Werri Beach from Kiama

By car: Werri Beach is about 9 minutes (8 km) from Kiama Ridge Waters, and Werri Lagoon about 10 minutes. BeachSafe lists a formal car park, and there is a small car park and street parking along Werri Street at the lagoon end.

By train: Gerringong has a station on the South Coast Line, like Kiama. From the station it is about a 27-minute walk (2.3 km) down to the surf club end of the beach. Check times on Transport NSW.

On foot: walk the Coast Walk South Section from Loves Bay, as above.

Open directions from 2 Surfleet Place.

Stay in Kiama, 9 minutes from Werri Beach

Kiama Ridge Waters sits in a residential street at 2 Surfleet Place, Kiama, rather than on the beach, and a surf at Werri is an easy morning drive. Each of its three-bedroom apartments sleeps six, with two bathrooms, a laundry for sandy towels and secure parking for two cars. Easts Beach is a 15-minute walk if you want sand closer to home, and Kiama town centre is about 27 minutes on foot.

Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is by 10am. Compare the apartments, read about family accommodation in Kiama, book several apartments for a group, or check dates and book.