This is the local beach for the Umina residential area and is used heavily by these people as well as holiday makers and people in the caravan parks. Popular beach with an unusual low gradient surf zone that may be calm or driven by several rips and tidal currents.

Beach number:   NSW297B
 
State/Region:    New South Wales - Central Coast
 
Beach name:      Umina
 
Club name:         Umina

Beach hazard rating:     High Tide: 5    Low Tide: 5
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
 
Description:     Further west along Umina Beach the waves initially increase slightly in size to average less than 1 m, then decrease into the western corner, where the beach turns to face east. Along this section the bars remain low and wide, but rips are more common and stronger when the waves are breaking. As a result an average of 72 people are rescued here annually.
 
Swimming conditions:     Both Umina and Ocean Beach are relatively safe on the gently sloping inner surf zone. Often under north east and east swell calms prevail. However tidal currents increase toward the east and Ettalong Beach. When waves are breaking, rip currents increase in strength toward the centre and west, with up to 8 rips cutting across the attached bar. Best to stay between the flags at both beaches and on the attached bars, avoiding the rips and tidal currents.
 
Surfing conditions:     Ocean - Umina work best in a moderate to high south east swell when the beach breaks are working, and particularly during summer when the north winds blow offshore. The famous long, long left hander called Box Head lies off Ocean Beach, and is best reached by boat, which means it attracts the locals out of Brisbane Water as well as from Pittwater.
 
Fishing conditions:     Most fishing takes place around the entrance to Brisbane Water from boats, the seawall and off the tidal shoals at low tide. A tide gutter runs along Ocean Beach, with beach gutters along Umina Beach.
 
Beach length (m):     1300