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Bruce Steer PoolBermagui, New South Wales
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The Bruce Steer Pool is a gently sloping, sheltered beach next to the breakwater of the Bermagui harbour.
It is protected on one side by the headland and on the other by the stone breakwater, so that even when
it is windy in town, this little spot can be relatively calm. The pool itself is around 140 metres long for
extended lap swimming, at a depth of several metres at the shark/stingray net at the far end.
Above: The shimmering waters of the Bruce Steer Pool in Bermagui
(Order this image)
The pool is popular with local swimmers when the nearby Bermagui Blue Pool is howling a gale. It can also be an option if Horseshoe Bay has stingers. The pool is tidal, but the flat slope into the water is suitable for kids to splash around in at both high and low tide.
It tends to be most popular at either end of the age spectrum, with elderly swimmers often seen re-invigorating themselves with
a lap or two of the pool, especially in the early morning. There is a long ramp that runs into the water that
has a hand rail to make it easier for anyone with mobility challenges.
Above: The chain fence at the deep end of the Bruce Steer Pool
(Order this image)
There is a 25 metre long beach with several metres of sand above the water line for making sandcastles and running around on. The handful of small trees at one end of the beach provide some shade, or bring a beach shelter if you are planning to stay a while.
The facilities here were upgraded during the covid lockdowns and now boast change rooms, showers, a sheltered picnic table,
and some funky wooden chaise longues.
There is a shark and stingray net at the end of the pool that seems to have regularly been damaged whenever a big storm rips through town. A temporary net was in place alongside the steel net on my most recent swim here, which actually managed to trap a stingray in the pool instead of keeping it out. The pool is usually stingray free. Hazards at this site include the sharp rocks and oyster shells on the southern side of the pool, so stay away from them, particularly at low tide.
The Bruce Steer Pool is more suited to lap swimming and splashing around than it is for snorkelling. Most of the pool floor is covered in sand (which can get stirred up in the shallows) or sparsely vegetated sea grass, with few fish apart from the area out at the net, where they can be seen wandering in and out of the steel chain loops.
You can read all about Bruce and the role he played in the development of the Bermagui harbour at an information board on site.
View Larger Map
Above: The shimmering waters of the Bruce Steer Pool in Bermagui
(Order this image)
The pool is popular with local swimmers when the nearby Bermagui Blue Pool is howling a gale. It can also be an option if Horseshoe Bay has stingers. The pool is tidal, but the flat slope into the water is suitable for kids to splash around in at both high and low tide.
Above: The chain fence at the deep end of the Bruce Steer Pool
(Order this image)
There is a 25 metre long beach with several metres of sand above the water line for making sandcastles and running around on. The handful of small trees at one end of the beach provide some shade, or bring a beach shelter if you are planning to stay a while.
There is a shark and stingray net at the end of the pool that seems to have regularly been damaged whenever a big storm rips through town. A temporary net was in place alongside the steel net on my most recent swim here, which actually managed to trap a stingray in the pool instead of keeping it out. The pool is usually stingray free. Hazards at this site include the sharp rocks and oyster shells on the southern side of the pool, so stay away from them, particularly at low tide.
The Bruce Steer Pool is more suited to lap swimming and splashing around than it is for snorkelling. Most of the pool floor is covered in sand (which can get stirred up in the shallows) or sparsely vegetated sea grass, with few fish apart from the area out at the net, where they can be seen wandering in and out of the steel chain loops.
You can read all about Bruce and the role he played in the development of the Bermagui harbour at an information board on site.
Other Information Before You Go:
Location: Bermagui Harbour, Bermagui
Latitude:-36.424066 Longitude:150.073405
Getting there: From Lamont Street in town, follow the road to the boat ramp on the eastern side of the harbour that runs alongside the footy ground.
Facilities: Toilets, showers, sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, car spaces
Water temperature: Cool
Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Sand
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Beginners
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No dogs, no camping, no smoking, no fires.
Sun shade: Shade available under some small trees back from the edge of the beach, and some sheltered picnic tables.
Entrance fee: None
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: Yes. A wheelchair ramp across the sand and down into the water was constructed in mid-2021. Toilets are wheelchair accessible and there are parking spots for the disabled.
Managing authority: Bega Valley Shire Council.
Nearby attractions: Bermagui Gelati Clinic for all your medicinal gelati needs, and the Blue Pool.
Before you head out, make sure to read the water safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to
this site, the managing authority advises that there is no lifeguard service, there is shallow water with submerged objects, and there
is uneven/slippery ground. Further, the managing authority advises that "use of this beach may be dangerous. Please take care for
your safety and for those in your care."
Latitude:-36.424066 Longitude:150.073405
Getting there: From Lamont Street in town, follow the road to the boat ramp on the eastern side of the harbour that runs alongside the footy ground.
Facilities: Toilets, showers, sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables, car spaces
Water temperature: Cool
Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Sand
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Beginners
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No dogs, no camping, no smoking, no fires.
Sun shade: Shade available under some small trees back from the edge of the beach, and some sheltered picnic tables.
Entrance fee: None
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: Yes. A wheelchair ramp across the sand and down into the water was constructed in mid-2021. Toilets are wheelchair accessible and there are parking spots for the disabled.
Managing authority: Bega Valley Shire Council.
Nearby attractions: Bermagui Gelati Clinic for all your medicinal gelati needs, and the Blue Pool.
Locality Map:
The marker indicates the approximate location of the pool. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
View Larger Map
Comments:
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I'm particularly interested in your experiences after visiting, and any changes in conditions, etc.
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