Shellharbour North beach (NSW 381) is a 1 km long, slightly curving east-facing beach, extending south from the rocks of Barrack Point to a small rocky protrusion.
The beach is backed by a low vegetated foredune, then a road and bike path with a caravan park straddling the northern end of the road, a sewer farm sits in the backing Barrack Swamp, with the Shellharbour SLSC (formed in 1936) is located at the southern end, with houses spreading up the backing slopes to Shellharbour township.
The beach receives waves averaging 1.4 m reduced slightly by the presence of seaward protruding Bass Point, 4 km to the south. The southern end of the north beach is patrolled and provides the best location for swimming.
Avoid the rips particularly if swimming up the beach. The harbour beach is unsuitable owing to boat traffic, however the rock pool is not only safe but also patrolled by a lifeguard from Christmas to Easter, as is the southern beach.