The Best Places to Catch Abalone in NSW

Abalone are a popular delicacy and recreational fishers love searching for these large marine snails along the rocky shores of NSW. But with nearly 2000 kilometers of coastline, where are the best places to catch abalone in this Australian state?

As someone who loves both eating abalone and the thrill of prying them off the rocks, I’ve spent years exploring the NSW coast to find the top abalone hotspots. Here are my picks for the best places to catch your daily bag limit of these tasty mollusks.

1. Jervis Bay

One of my favorite ab fishing destinations is the clear waters of Jervis Bay on the south coast. This large, sheltered bay has an abundance of good abalone habitat like granite and sandstone reefs.

Places like Steamers Beach, Bristol Point, and Orion Beach are prime areas I’ve had success finding greenlip, blacklip, and brownlip abalone Since much of the bay is protected, it’s usually pretty calm which makes for easier diving and prying abalone off the rocks.

Jervis Bay also has excellent visibility, often over 10 meters! This helps you spot the abalone tucked into crevices. I typically find lots of good-sized abalone here, including some monsters over 15 cm.

2. Batemans Bay

Another south coast abalone haven is Batemans Bay, located just south of Jervis Bay. This spot also has lots of ideal rocky reef areas to hunt for abalone.

My go-to reefs are at Surfside Beach, Corunna Point, and Mosquito Bay. Wading around these rocky points and coves during low tides almost always produces a good haul of greenlip and blacklip abalone.

An added bonus is Batemans Bay is home to the famous venue that holds the annual Abalone Classic competition each February, Nothing better than fresh abalone while enjoying the carnival atmosphere of this popular event for abalone divers

3. Narooma

Keep heading south and the next top locale to load up your abalone bag is Narooma on the far south coast. Here you’ll find an abundance of reef platforms, rocky points, and beaches to explore for abalone.

Places like Bar Rocks, Theseus Rocks, and Glasshouse Rocks near Narooma produce plenty of blacklip abalone, along with some greenlip and brownlip. If reef diving gets tiresome, I also dive along Narooma Beach for nice sized greenlip ab.

Another perk of Narooma is staying at the Abalone Lodge for easy shore access and facilities for cleaning your catch. Nothing better than enjoying fresh abalone while camping here after a long day diving.

4. Eden

Rolling southward, Eden is another renowned destination for catching abalone in NSW. This quaint town sits near the border with Victoria in an area brimming with top-notch abalone habitat.

Spots I regularly find good numbers of blacklip abalone are near Cattle Bay, Quarantine Bay, and Eden Landing. A little further south, areas around Green Cape Lighthouse and Disaster Bay hold giant greenlip abalone.

Eden celebrates their abundance of abalone each November with the Australian Abalone Festival. Along with cooking competitions and tastings, there are abalone diving demonstrations which is a great way to pick up tips from seasoned pros.

5. Bermagui

Nestled just north of Eden, the small coastal community of Bermagui also provides awesome abalone fishing. This picturesque town sits amidst excellent rocky reefs and headlands prime for diving and prying abalone.

Some of my favorite spots are around Dickinson Point, Mystery Bay, and the Haydens reefs just offshore. On most outings here I come home with a good mix of blacklip, greenlip, and brownlip abalone.

Bermagui has a neat small town vibe and makes a great base to explore this abalone rich region. It also hosts the Four Winds Festival each March, a nature-loving event with some tasty abalone dishes to sample.

Tips for Catching Abalone

Now that you know some of the top places to catch abalone in NSW, here are a few tips to increase your success:

• Check tide charts – Best low tides for ab diving are 0.0 to +0.3m. Early mornings often have calmer water.

• Use abalone irons and knives – Sturdy short-handled irons and thin flexible knives help efficiently pry abalone off the rocks.

• Target rocky crevices and edges – Abalone like to hide under ledges and in cracks safe from predators.

• Look for eyes and tentacles first – Their tiny eyes and protruding tentacles poking out often give their hiding spot away.

• Dive deep areas – Larger abalone tend to live in deeper sections of rocky reefs.

• Bring a catch bag and measuring device – Essentials for safely transporting your abalone and ensuring they are of legal size.

• Check rules and limits – Abalone fishing is strictly regulated so make sure you have the proper permits and follow size, catch, and possession limits.

• Handle abalone gently – Carefully pry and pass them to your bag to keep the abalone alive and meat untainted.

Get Out There and Start Fishing

With these tips and hotspot locations, you’ll be well on your way to an epic abalone haul on your next NSW coastal escape. Just don’t forget your wetsuit, slip-resistant boots, and a big appetite!

For me, nothing beats the thrill of spotting an abalone tucked into the rocks, then expertly prying it off to add to my bag. I know the rewarding feeling of cooking up my catch later with friends and family.

So grab your abalone iron and start planning your next abalone fishing mission. The tasty rewards are well worth braving the tides to hunt these shelled prizes along the spectacular NSW coastline. Just follow the tips above to fill your daily bag limit at these prime abalone spots.