Northern Territory Beaches

When to Swim

Beach swimming in the Northern Territory should be undertaken in the dry season months of June, July, August and September – these months are outside the ‘Stinger Season’.  Surf Life Saving NT recommends that you swim ‘between the flags’ where there are lifeguards and lifesaving resources. Protective clothing is recommended. Only Darwin’s Mindil Beach has lifesavers on duty every afternoon, June-September, thanks to the foresight of the Darwin City Council.

NT Beaches

The Northern Territory has 5,029 km of coastline and 1,488 beaches - over 200 of these beaches are ‘surf beaches’ and are mainly found on the east coast of Arnhem land and becoming increasingly popular with school and community groups and tourism operators.

Many Top End beaches are characterized by strong tidal currents with shallow low tide terrace structures and inshore rocks and reefs.  Shallow inshore areas often have high levels of suspended silt which hides the bottom - so be careful when entering the water, no diving!

Understanding the ocean is very important - the more you know about how waves, wind and tides affect conditions in the water, the safer you will be and the better equipped you will be to keep others safe from danger.  Recognising danger signs, and awareness of open water conditions, is essential in Australia. 

The most popular beaches in the Northern Territory are in Darwin - Mindil Beach, Nightcliff Beach and Casuarina Beach. In Arnhem Land at Nhulunbuy’s try Town Beach or nearby Little Bondi beach and Yirrkala’s Shady Beach when lifesavers are on duty – usually weekends during the dry season. 

HARMFUL MARINE CREATURES

There are harmful marine creatures in these waters. Take care, read below…

Crocodiles

In Darwin it is best to swim at Mindil Beach, Nightcliff Beach or Casuarina Beach when Lifesavers are on duty.  There hasn’t been a fatal crocodile attack at these beaches for over 120 years.  If you are not swimming at a patrolled beach we recommend you follow the advice of the NT Government’s Parks & Wildlife Service.  In Nhulunbuy you should swim at Town Beach when lifesavers are on duty or at Shady Beach or Little Bondi Beach where the lifesavers operate occasional patrols.

Dangerous Tropical Jellyfish

One species of tropical jellyfish is particularly dangerous - the Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri). Look at the Box Jellyfish Poster to learn to tell the difference between Chironex Fleckeri (Box Jellyfish) and Chiropsalmus, a species more commonly found on the Gove Peninsula beaches. It breeds and swarms in shallow water during the wet season so don’t swim in the ocean at this time without wearing full protective clothing.  Just don’t!  This animal grows to a large size, often around 300 mm or more across the main body with tentacles that extend for several metres.  Its sting is extremely painful.  Another dangerous jellyfish is very small - the Irukandji - but its sting may go unnoticed.  Symptoms occur in 5 - 30 minutes after being stung and include hypertension, racing pulse, lower back pain and a feeling of great anxiety.

In areas where dangerous tropical jellyfish are prevalent, and if the species causing the sting cannot be clearly identified, it is safer to treat the victim as outlined below.

Treatment for tropical jellyfish stings

1. Remove the patient from the water and restrain if necessary
2. Call for help (get a surf lifesaver or lifeguard to help you and call 000)
3. Assess the patient and commence CPR as necessary
4. Liberally douse the stung area with vinegar to neutralise invisible stinging cells – do not wash with fresh water
5. If vinegar is unavailable, pick off any remnants of the tentacles (this is not harmful to the rescuer) and rinse sting well with seawater (not freshwater)
6. Seek medical assistance with rapid transport to hospital