Narooma offers some of the cleanest and deepest water on the South Coast both in the river and out to sea.   Before bringing your boat down please read the information on this page carefully.

Scroll through the page or click on a topic to jump right to it:

Launching
River
Crossing the Bar
Ocean
Continental Shelf
Montague Island
Coastal Patrol
Boating Checklist
Bar Accidents


Launching

The type of boating you plan on doing will dictate where you launch your vessel.  A number of launching ramps exist in the area all of which are generally in good condition and can accommodate both large and small boats.

River Cruising

If you are planning to cruise the river on your boat then you will most likely launch from Fosters Bay.  There are two public access ramps in Fosters Bay, one is located between the Taylor Bros. and Quarter Deck take-away, and the other is around past the Simply Seafood Restaurant.  The ramp between Taylor Bros. and Quarter Deck offers a public jetty to tie up to after launching as well as fresh water and fish cleaning facilities but the water isn't very deep and would only be suitable for boats up to around 23 feet in length.  The other ramp has no jetty to tie up to but does have deeper water as well as fresh water and fish cleaning facilities.

Heading Out

Apex Park would be the best place to launch if you are planing to head out to the island.  To get to Apex Park, head north out of Narooma across the bridge.  About 200 metres past the bridge, as the road bends around to the left, there is a small road that turns off to the right.  Turn down there and follow it around until you get to Apex Park (about 800 metres).  If your boat is large then turning off the Highway at this point might be difficult, in that case continue North for another 400 metres and take the first turn into Kianga and follow it for about 1.5 kilometres and take the second turn on your right.  Follow it around until you get to Apex Park.

Apex Park offers lots of parking for vehicles with empty trailers as well as fresh water, fish cleaning, and toilet facilities.   Two jetties are available to tie up on after launching.  It also has a dual launching ramp so that two boats can be either launched or retrieved at the same time.   You should be aware that during both incoming and outgoing tides the current can be quite strong here so be careful.

River (Top)

The Wagonga inlet is full of fish and has lots of great spots to anchor and spend the night.  The water is clean and deep in most places so you can zip up and down the river without worrying about running aground.   Pay close attention to markers that indicate depth, channels, and other hazards.   Most of these are close to town but once your out into the deep water common sense will keep you out of trouble.

You can follow the river inland for about 8 kilometres at which point the water gets a little shallow.

Be conscious of the Oyster Farms which exist up and down the river and do not go to close to them, especially if your boat is creating a large wake.

The local Waterways Officers are regularly on the water checking boat registrations and licensing so make sure your registration is current and that you are properly licensed for the vessel under your command.

Crossing the Bar (Top)

Heading to sea

NOTE: ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFEJACKET WHEN CROSSING THE BAR.

The Bar at Narooma is notorious for its dangerous currents and waves but if you follow a few simple rules and always be cautious you will be fine.  The best advice that can be given about crossing the Bar is, "if in doubt, don't go out".

Always cross the bar during the incoming tide, never on the outgoing tide.  When the tide is going out the current is extremely strong and with the pressure of the sea trying to get in and the strength of the river trying to get out a strong "short chop" which will breach even the largest of boats is created.  Often during an incoming tide the bar is nice and flat so check your tide guide for current tidal movements.  Bar conditions can change dramatically within just a few minutes so be aware and on the lookout.

Approach the bar and circle for a few minutes before deciding whether or not to proceed.  By this time you should have contacted the Coastal Patrol on channel 86 and logged in (you MUST do this).  Monitor the Bar for a few minutes, taking special note of wave conditions at the sea side of the rock walls, time the waves as they come in as well as watch the size of them.   If you decide that you are going to attempt the crossing then approach the start of your run from the northern side of the Bar about 20 metres off the rocks and make your run in a straight line diagonally for the southern side of the rock wall.  When making your run try and make sure that the waves you had been timing earlier are not there when you arrive at the end.  Once you begin your run, do not stop.  Never lose your nerve because you will be unable to turn around once your run begins.  If you do approach a wave at the end of the bar then throttle back and idle up over it.  Never hit a wave face with full throttle or side on.  If all has gone well then you should still be in your boat and the boat should still be upright and floating when you reach the end of the bar (a little joke there).   Make a turn to the right and head for the southern tip of Montague Island for about 500 metres.  You're on your own now and past the danger zone. Good boating.

Note:

I have seen many boats heading for the sea come up the river towards the bar and turn towards the ocean and go without circling for a few minutes to familiarise themselves with current bar conditions.  This is a very stupid thing to do because during the approach you can not see what the conditions are like nor can you see if another boat is about to come in.  If you come flying around the corner intending to go straight out and another boat is coming in then you are both going to come to grief.  Put your boat on your trailer and take it back to where ever you purchased it and tell them 'I want to sell my boat because I am irresponsible'!.

Returning

As with leaving the Bar you should never return during an outgoing tide, always return on an incoming tide.  Returning is basically the opposite of leaving.  As you approach the Bar from the sea, line up with the southern point of the bar from about 500 metres out making sure that once you start your run you can maintain a straight line all the way through the Bar until you reach the northern side at the other end (diagonal).  Start your run making certain that you can match the speed of the waves as you come in.  Waves begin to develop from about 300 metres out on a bad day so starting your run from 500 metres should allow you 200 metres for speed adjustment.  If there are a lot of waves try and sit between two small ones.  Often the waves are quite close together so sit on the back of one if necessary.  Never let the wave behind you catch up and never overtake the wave in front as this will swamp your vessel.  After you have matched the speed of a wave set follow them all the way in.  Once you have commenced your run you must stay committed.  Never try and turn back or allow a wave to side swipe you.  After passing the 1st point on the rock wall maintain speed and heading then when your about half way through you can accelerate to full speed until you need to make your left hand turn into the river.  You are safe at this point.  Don't forget to contact the Coastal Patrol and let them know you have returned.  If your boat is having trouble and you need to beach it there is a safe beaching point on the inside of the bar that has a sandy bottom and gentle slope.

Note:

If bar conditions on your return stop you from entering then head south for approximately 20 kilometres and go into Bermagui.

Ocean (Top)

The seas around Narooma can be very pleasant with a deep blue colour and calm conditions, on the other hand, the conditions can change rapidly so pay attention to weather reports and abide by them.  If the weather is deteriorating it is best to return to Narooma as soon as you can.  In general you can stay out all day without to much trouble.  The fishing here is excellent and a number of hot spots can be found all over the place.  But before venturing out to sea make certain that you have adequate safety equipment on board.   You must carry a life jacket for every passenger, flares and an EPIRB.  Never go to sea without a marine radio either and make sure you have plenty of fuel and freshwater on board.  On a number of occasions, vessels have had to turn back to sea when Bar conditions have made it impossible to cross so freshwater and fuel is essential.   If the Bar is not crossable when you return you can contact the Coastal Patrol for advice.  You may have to spend the night out there in which case they will direct you to a safe mooring on the western side of the Island.  If that happens and you don't have enough fuel or freshwater on board then your likely to be in real trouble.

Continental Shelf (Top)

It is at Narooma that the Continental Shelf comes closest to land.  To find an area called the Kink, named because the shelf makes a large kink towards land, head out of the bar and take a compass bearing in a straight line from the end of the bar past the southern tip of the island.  Once you get to the island maintain course taking note of your compass bearing and keep going for another 8 to 10 kilometres or until your depth sounder can no longer see the bottom.  The depth of water at the kink ranges from 2 to 6 kilometres so if you're planing on bottom bouncing then forget it.  Always keep the island in sight and use it as a point of reference for your return trip.  Having a GPS on board is an excellent idea if your going to venture out past the island.  The area of water around the kink is a popular shipping lane so be on the look out for large container ships.

Montague Island (Top)

Fur seals, Penguins, and a variety of sea birds including the majestic Albatross can be found on and around the Island.  All kinds of fish from table to big game can also be landed all around the island.  Snapper, Kingfish, Benito, Tuna, Sharks, Trevally, and many more are often caught, in fact quite a lot of world record catches have been made at or around Montague Island.  You can not land your boat and walk around the Island unless you have a National Parks and Wildlife official guide with you as the Island is a Nature Reserve and protected by the National Trust.  Stay away from the southern end of the Island as there are some very active bomboras there and the seas are generally a little uncomfortable.  They call the area south of the island "the Boils" because the two currents that exist around the Island meet at this point and cause the water to chop up.  On the western side of the island is a reef which is about 10 to 40 metres down.  Directly opposite the lighthouse is called the Foul house and the fishing there is extremely good.  The other side and northern tip of the Island is the home to many sharks as well as other big fish like the Southern Bluefin Tuna and at times great schools of Kingfish.  The trip to and from the Island will take you about 20 to 30 minutes each way so leave plenty of time to return before dark.

Coastal Patrol - Channel 86 (Top)

The Coastal Patrol at Narooma is a voluntary organisation and they operate all year round.  Located at the top of the hill on the southern side of the Bar they have an excellent view on both sides of the bar and out to sea, however, they can not see the bar itself so once you begin your run across the bar you will be out of sight.

Weather reports are broadcast every 2 hours so keep your radio on at all times.  Also, whilst it is not compulsory that you log in with them when heading to sea it is strongly recommended.  You must tell them your call sign, motor vehicle registration, launch site, and ETR (Estimated Time of Return).   Your ETR is very important so if you decide to stay out longer you must radio in and let them know because it is now the law that any overdue boats be reported to the police.

Operators of the Coastal Patrol are experienced and you should take note of their recommendations.  For example, if you are logging on and heading to sea and they advise against it then you must turn around and return up the river.  Too many people have disobeyed advice and come to grief so listen to what you're told.

The Coastal Patrol are a voluntary organisation and receive no form of government funding, if you want to make a donation go up and visit them on top of the hill.  They give up there time to help you so give them a few dollars to keep them going.

Boating Checklist (Top)

Before boating in Narooma, or anywhere else in fact, you should check the following items.  Especially if your planning on putting sea;

        *         Check that you have sufficient Fuel

        *         Check the condition of all Mechanicals

        *         Ensure that all Electric's are operating

        *         Do a Radio check

        *         Carry sufficient fresh water at all times

        *         Make sure you have all Safety Equipment

        *         Check and lubricate all Steering components

        *         Tell someone where you're going and when you will be back.

        *         Check current and projected weather conditions

        *         Ensure you have one life jacket for each person on board.

Bar Accidents (Top)

Note:

If you cross the bar and do not wear your life jacket then you are an idiot and should take your boat back to where you purchased it and tell them that you are not mature enough to own a boat yet.  Whilst you might think that you will look un-cool if you wear one you will look even more un-cool if someone sees you bobbing up and down in the water with your boat upside down or on the bottom.  You become a news item when you do that, which means everyone knows how foolish you are.  The towns people talk about boating accidents for weeks after the event and what they say is always the same - either "thank goodness they were wearing a life jacket" or "how many times have tourists got to be told to wear life jackets, have their brains been replaced with fresh air and excitement - bloody idiots!".  So, what will we be saying about you if you come to grief - the choice is yours.  Your head is on your shoulders to help you make the right decisions it isn't there simply as a neck plug.  Use it!

Bar accidents do happen occasionally but statistics show that 99% of these accidents can be attributed to human error.  There have been few accidents that could have been avoided, sometimes nature is just out to get you and there is nothing you can do about it but the other 99% could have been avoided by obeying the simple rules.  If you have not crossed the bar before ask someone who has how to do it, even better, drive up to the Coastal Patrol and talk to them as they will give you the best advice.  Charter Boats have rules that they must follow (it's the law) and they don't have any problems, it is generally the tourists who end up going for a swim because they think they know what they're doing when in actual fact THEY DON'T!   There has been 1 Charter Boat accident on the bar, that accident fell into the 1% category where it could not be avoided - but over the past 5 years or so the Charter Boats have crossed the bar more than 25,000 times and have only had one accident.

Safe Boating! (Top)