The beautiful Hyams Beach located on the shores of Jervis Bay is a very popular destination on the NSW South Coast, whether to laze upon its stunning white sand or paddle in the turquoise waters. But what about if you have a dog? Can you visit Hyams Beach with a dog?
Is Hyams Beach the Whitest Beach in Australia?
First up, a lot of the fuss about Hyams Beach comes from its reputation as having possibly the whitest sand of any beach in Australia or even the world. Tourists from around the state and even overseas flock to the beach to check out its squeaky white sand.
The other two top contenders in Australia are Lucky Bay, in southern Western Australia near Esperance, and Whitehaven Beach, located in the beautiful Whitsundays region off the central coast of Queensland.
So, what’s the verdict? It all depends on who you ask. The National Committee on Soil and Terrain twice proclaimed Lucky Bay as having the whitest sand, in two studies in 2006 and 2008, but in 2006 the Guinness World Record was awarded to Hyams Beach for being the “whitest beach”!
Are Dogs Allowed on Hyams Beach?
One of the best features of Hyams Beach, unlike Lucky Bay and Whitehaven Beach, is that it’s a dog-friendly beach. Dogs are not prohibited from Hyams Beach. This applies all day long.
So, whether you’re visiting Jervis Bay on a day trip or for the weekend, make plans to visit Hyams Beach with your dog and and enjoy it’s beautiful white sand together – sunglasses recommended!
Are Dogs Allowed Off-Leash?
Just one important reminder before you head to Hyams Beach with your dog, dogs need to always be kept leashed on Hyams Beach. While there are multiple beaches in the Jervis Bay area that allow dogs off-leash during part of the day, Hyams Beach isn’t one of them.
So during your visit to Hyams Beach, kept your dog leashed at all times. No matter if you’re enjoying a stroll along the squeaky white sand, sitting on your beach towel with your pup, looking out for the local dolphins in the water, or enjoying a paddle in the calm, clear bay waters.
Tips for Visiting Hyams Beach
While dogs are allowed at Hyams Beach, getting a park at the beach can be an issue. There is a carpark adjacent to the beach, but it’s quite small. Even if you visit it during the week outside of the summer months it may be full.
There’s also not much parking on the streets of the rest of the village. On summer weekends the entire village can turn into one big traffic jam. An alternative recommendation is to park at Greenfield Beach and walk along the beaches to Hyams Beach, but this isn’t possible with a dog.
My top recommendation for dog owners is to instead consider visiting one of the other dog-friendly beaches at Jervis Bay. For instance, visit Nelson Beach in Vincentia. The sand is nearly as white and there are far more parking spaces, although it can still fill up during busy days.
The other advantage of Nelson Beach is that dogs are allowed off-leash during part of the day. Between October and April, dogs are allowed off-leash before 8am or after 4pm, while from May to September the off-leash hours are extended to before 10am or after 3pm. The perfect excuse to stay in the area overnight!
For details on other beaches, including more off-leash dog beaches, check out my full guide to dog-friendly beaches at Jervis Bay.
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.