The Beach

Enjoy our saltwater recreation lagoon and wriggle your toes in the sand at the Waterfront's man-made beach. Entry is free and the lagoon is patrolled by our friendly lifeguards.

A Mobi-Mat & beach wheelchair is available to help with accessibility.

What to expect

Take a dip in the beach at Darwin Waterfront. It's safe from crocodiles as a seawall separates the beach from the adjacent Darwin Harbour. The beach is continuously replenished with fresh sea water, which is filtered through fine mesh screens.


At the Beach you can enjoy swimming in saltwater, sand play, laying on the provided sun loungers, have a game of beach volleyball or take on the Aqua Park Challenge course and paddle boarding (ticketed).


For patrons with mobility issues or with a disability, the Life Saving team put out the ramp and Mobi-Mat daily to assist with sand and water access.

  • Mobi-Mat

    To improve participation at the Beach, there is  a Mobi-Mat available for use, rolled out daily between 10am-6pm. 


    The Mobi-Mat® is made from 100% recycled materials that provide a firm, safe, cool and stable surface for users. This sturdy and visible path improve access on the Recreation Lagoon beach to support people with disabilities or mobility challenges who generally cannot get on to the beach or struggle to move across the sand safely.


    The mat can accommodate a wide range of users, including people with mobility and visual impairments, the elderly, those using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or strollers and other groups with special access needs.


    Our lifeguards are on hand to assist, so please ask a lifeguard on duty if you require the Mobi-Mat, and they will gladly roll it out for your day in the sun.

  • Pets

    • Pets must not be left unattended at any time.
    • Pets are not permitted on the beach or in the Recreation Lagoon.
    • Pets are not permitted to urinate on hardscapes and infrastructure.
    • Pets must be under effective control at all times.

    Effective control means pets must be on a leash (restrained), immediately respond to command, and not disruptive or causing nuisance to other precinct users and wildlife.


    Pets includes all animals, including assistance dogs.


    Notice in accordance with Darwin Waterfront Corporation By-law 17 and relevant policies.

  • Weather

    Like all outdoor activities, the precinct’s Wave and Recreation lagoons can be affected by the weather.


    From October to April in the Top End, wet season storms can pose a danger. If thunder is heard within 30 seconds or less after a lightning flash, lifeguards will evacuate both lagoons.


    If that happens, all swimmers and visitors must leave the water and lagoon areas to seek shelter. The lagoons will be re-opened once the storm has passed and thunder is heard 30 seconds or more after a flash of lightning.


    For everyone’s safety, please listen to the lifeguards’ instructions and obey them immediately.


    There are shady areas at both lagoons. Please be sun smart by wearing hats, using sun cream and drinking plenty of water—you can buy all these things from retail outlets around the precinct, including the Wave Lagoon kiosk.


    You are welcome to bring your own temporary, light-weight shade tents, but nothing can be pegged into the ground without the Darwin Waterfront Corporation’s permission. 

  • Group of people enjoying the sand and the water at the waterfront. Apartments and high rise buildings are in the background


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  • Children using buckets and spades to make sandcastles with the water in the background


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  • A woman in the beach wheelchair on the mobi mat with two lifeguards standing by their side.


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  • A group of people playing beach volleyball. A man in the back is jumping to spike the ball across the net


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  • A young girl wearing a snorkel and flippers, laying on the sand and smiling


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  • A mum and dad with two children, splashing in the water


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  • A young man jumps off of the Wibit Aqua Park into the water


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  • Two children and two adults with snorkels and a beach ball standing in the water


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We value water

The Beach water is regularly checked and monitored for marine stingers. The Beach is home to fish, algae, and Cassiopeia jellyfish, which all help maintain a healthy marine environment. Fish have been known to brush up against swimmers occasionally. They eat the jellyfish and are needed to keep their numbers down. Fishing and feeding the fish in The Beach is prohibited.


Water Quality Monitoring Program.

Activities to enjoy

Aqua Park Challenge Course

If you’re looking for a fun and challenging activity for the family, Aqua Park is the place for you!

Swim, run, jump, flip, climb, bounce and slide your way through the 4m high floating inflatable obstacles that will leave you laughing and wanting to come back for more. Be sure to book ahead!

Find out more

Beach Volleyball

Enjoy a hit of waterside volleyball at the full-size beach volleyball court at the Beach.


The court is free to use seven days a week. Bring your own ball or get one from the lifeguards on duty from 9am to 6pm daily.

Accessibility

To help you participate, The Beach has the following services and facilities:

  • Lifeguards on duty everyday from 9am-6pm.
  • Ramp available for patrons with mobility issues or requiring wheelchair access onto the sand.
  • Mobi-Mat available for wheelchair access into the water.
  • Wheelchair available for use (ask Lifeguards on duty).
  • Accessible outdoor shower.
  • Seating available.
  • Lockers available to hire from Wave Lagoon Kiosk.

General information

Free for public use

Email | darwinwaterfront@nt.gov.au

Phone | 08 8999 5155

Lifeguards on duty everyday from 9am-6pm.