Wategos Beach is located 2 km east of the Byron Bay town centre. A peaceful sheltered little beach that is ideal for families, a fantastic place to picnic, play in the sand and swim.

You’ll find BBQ’s and picnic tables are available to cook up breakfast or lunch. At the far end of the beach you can take the steps up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse. The Lighthouse precinct is open 8am to sunset.

The small arc of beach is named after the Watego family who settled the area in the 1930’s and grew bananas and vegetables where the houses are now. There are a number of Wategos Beach holiday houses available to stay in.

Facilities

BBQ’s
Picnic Tables
Grassy areas
Walking track to lighthouse
Car park. paid parking (current rates are $4.00 per hour) with a 4 hr parking limit enforced between 9am to 6pm Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays. Free if you have a Byron Shire Residents Parking Exemption. Showers
Drinking water

Surfing

Waves usually break gradually, spilling over the wide sand bar and patchy reef, producing a friendlier surf suitable for long boards and learners. It is best to swim and surf when the beach is patrolled.

History
Wategos Beach was originally named Little Beach. In 1933 Murray (Mick) Watego leased one of three available blocks of land above the small arc of beach. He and his wife, Mary and 10 children grew bananas and other fruits and vegetables on the land to supply local and Sydney markets.

Murray was a respected member of the community and a well-known member of the Byron Bay RSL having served in WWI. He passed away in 1953 and the land lease ended in 1959.

In 1961 Council put up for auction approximately 86 lots of land in Wategos. The average price in 1961 was $700, in 1970, $2320. It would take over 25 years for all of the lots to be sold and built on. Wategos is now prime real estate in Byron Bay.

Nearby Attractions

Little Wategos
Located at the end of the cape below the lighthouse Little Wategos is Australia’s most easterly beach. Although only 150m long the north facing beach is well protected and great for swimming and sun bathing. It is also a good spot for rock fishing. The beach is inaccessible by car, accessed by either walking over the path from Wategos or heading down from the lighthouse precinct.
Cape Byron Lighthouse
The Byron Bay Lighthouse was built in 1901 and looks over Byron today illuminating land and sea. Beneath the 22 metres high tower sits a Maritime Museum and a cluster of cottages that are available for holiday letting.

Cape Byron Walking Track 

A 3.7 km loop that takes about 2 hours to complete. The track meanders through rainforest and over cliff tops providing stunning views of the ocean and the hinterland.

Cape Byron Information Centre
Find out all the information you need to make your visit to the Cape Byron State Conservation Area and the Cape Byron Marine Park a truly wonderful experience. Facilities include toilets, picnic tables, drinking water, café/kiosk and car park. Open 9.30 – 4.30 everyday except Christmas Day.

Whale Watching
Bring your binoculars for an exhilarating experience during whale watching season. You will spot both humpback and southern right what\les heading north for warmer waters during June and July and the returning south from September to November.

Lighthouse Tours
Bound for Cape Byron Lighthouse tour is a 2 hour, 1km walking tour around Cape Byron. You will be guided by a knowledgeable NPWS guide.

Frequently Asked Questions or FAQ’s

What do the flags mean on the beach?
The most important flags on the beach are the red and yellow flags. These show the supervised area of the beach and that a lifesaving service is operating. If there are no red and yellow flags, you should not go swimming.

How long is Wategos Beach?
600m

Is there parking at Wategos Beach?
Paid parking (current rates are $4.00 per hour) with a 4 hr parking limit enforced between 9am to 6pm Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays. Free if you have a Byron Shire Residents Parking Exemption.

How far is Wategos Beach from town?
3.2 km or 8 minute drive by road, 2.8km or 36 minute walk

Is Wategos Beach patrolled by lifesavers?
Patrolled in the summer. Please check the Byron Shire Council website for local surf life saving information or the Beach Safe Website for more details.

Is Wategos Beach good for surfing?
Waves usually break gradually, spilling over the wide sand bar and patchy reef, producing a friendlier surf suitable for long boards and learners. It is best to swim and surf when the beach is patrolled.

Is Wategos Beach good for children?
Yes. Wategos Beach is excellent for families with children of all ages. Children should always swim only when a lifeguard is on duty.

Are there showers at Wategos Beach?
Yes.

Do you have to pay for parking at Wategos Beach?
No but parking is limited.

Are there toilets at Wategos Beach?
Yes.

What is the Beach hazard rating for Wategos Beach?
4/10 (moderately hazardous)

Is Wategos dog friendly?
No.