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At a glance

  • Sat, 26 Apr 2025
  • Caves Beach, Caves Beach NSW
  • Ocean Swim
  • 400m, 500m & 1.5km

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  • Last held on Sat, 26 Apr 2025

Sharkskin Caves Beach Ocean Swim

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How to enter

Online entries are closed

At a glance

  • Sat, 26 Apr 2025
  • Caves Beach, Caves Beach NSW
  • Ocean Swim
  • 400m, 500m & 1.5km
  • Around The Buoys
  • Point To Point

Why this event?

“Commotion in the Ocean”, a journey swim from Spoon Rocks to Caves Beach

Looking for an ocean swim with a little extra thrill? The Sharkskin Caves Beach Ocean Swim delivers the goods, wave play, rocky swim-throughs, and a true journey-style route that makes it one of the most distinctive and talked-about swims on the calendar.

Framed by the iconic sea caves that give this beach its name, the 1.5km point-to-point course kicks off with a dramatic start and winds around reefs, headlands, and cliffs before sweeping you into the wide, sandy curve of Caves Beach. It’s the kind of swim that keeps you engaged every stroke of the way, dynamic, scenic, and full of surprises.

For younger swimmers or those easing into the sport, the 500m kids’ swim offers a safe, fun loop close to shore, still full of energy, but with calmer waters and cheering crowds lining the beach.

Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, this swim is bold, beautiful, and an absolute blast, the perfect mix of challenge, scenery, and coastal fun that leaves you buzzing long after you cross the line.

On the day

What's on offer

500m Ocean Swim
  • Junior Swim
  • 9 - 11 years
Designed for junior swimmers aged 9 to 11, this 500m loop course is all about building confidence and having fun in the ocean. Held right in front of the surf club, the course keeps swimmers close to shore, looping around a clearly marked set of buoys and surrounded by a strong team of water safety personnel. It’s the perfect intro to open water swimming, safe, supported, and full of good vibes. Whether they’re trying their first ocean swim or are already hooked on the sport, young swimmers will finish with a sense of achievement (and probably a big grin too).
1.5km Ocean Swim
  • Spoon Rocks to Caves Beach
  • 12 years
This point-to-point 1.5km swim is the heart of the Sharkskin Caves Beach Ocean Swim, a scenic coastal journey that starts near the sea caves and winds its way through some of the most striking underwater landscapes on the coast. Swimmers assemble at Caves Beach Surf Club before being transported to the starting point at Spoon Rocks, a naturally protected entry thanks to a breakwater built in the 1960s, originally intended to create a safer harbour for coal ships. These days, it offers a calm, tucked-away launch spot perfect for setting off with confidence. From there, the swim follows a northbound route over open reef, past cliff formations, rocky shelves, and, if you’re lucky, views right down to the ocean floor on clear days. The water here is often choppy with a bit of playful swell, but that’s all part of the fun. This course gives you just enough movement to keep it interesting, without losing that smooth, satisfying swim rhythm. With crystal-clear waters, rugged scenery, and a welcoming crowd at the finish, this swim is a simple, stunning, and seriously enjoyable ocean experience for confident swimmers looking for a coastal adventure with a twist.
400m Ocean Swim
  • Daffodil Dip Swim
  • 9 years
This one’s short, sweet, and perfect for a splash with a cause. The Daffodil Dip kicks off from the sand and heads 200m east along the sheltered Spoon Rocks breakwater, giving you calm conditions and stunning views the whole way. After a turnaround, the buoy, it’s a smooth 200m cruise back to the beach, just enough to get salty, raise your heart rate, and smile all the way to the finish. Whether you’re new to ocean swimming or just in it for the good vibes, this one’s a feel-good favourite.
Fun Ocean Swim
  • Daffodil Dip – Non-Swim
  • 9 years
Not up for the full swim? No worries! The Daffodil Dip Non-Swim is all about getting your toes wet, your face salty, and soaking up the fun without going the full distance. Dip, paddle, float, or just splash around in the safety zone while cheering on the swimmers in the 400m and 1.5km events. It’s the perfect way to be part of the action, no goggles required!

Plot your course

*The courses on this map are approximate; the final courses on the day may differ

What to expect in the water

Caves Beach is known for its dramatic landscape, protected entry, and wave-washed charm. The 1.5km course usually follows a reef-skirting route from Spoon Rocks to the main beach, often with some swell and surge at the entry and finish.

Expect warm water (22–24°C) in late April and changing surf depending on conditions. The course is supported by IRBs, board paddlers, and plenty of eyes on the water.

Swimmer essentials

Wetsuits are allowed. The main swim is best for confident ocean swimmers who can handle a bit of wave entry, reef current, and some surf finesse. Water safety is top-notch and there’s a pre-swim briefing on navigation.

  • Swimmers physical condition will be their own responsibility and all participants are encouraged to train in preparation for this event.
  • The minimum entry age is 9 years for the 500m swim and 12 years for the 1500m swim. All competitors under the age of 18 will need parental consent to participate.
  • All swimmers must swim the prescribed course and ensure that their name is marked off at the registration point prior to their swim.
  • All swimmers must return their timing device immediately upon their swim completion. There will be a collection point near the finish line.
  • All swimmers must wear a swim cap, race number and timing device.
  • All swimmers must cross the official finish line to register the completion of their swim, or notify officials on the day if unable to do so.
  • A swimmer may use extraneous aids such as flippers, snorkels, floatation clothing or devices but will not be eligible for any prize or qualify as an official place getter.
  • If in the opinion of an event medical officer or a water safety official a competitor is physically or otherwise incapable of starting or completing the Caves Beach Ocean Swim or has been in the water for an inordinate time, such competitor may be disqualified from starting or be removed from the water at any time and provided assistance to shore.
  • There will be a number of safety craft patrolling the course. Please signal them if you need any assistance. Your safety is our priority.
  • All decisions of the race committee will be considered absolute and final.

What’s on when

8:00 am: Registration and on-the-day entries opens (Caves Beach SLSC)
8:30 am: 500m swim registration/entries close
8:50 am: Daffodil Dip (Non-Swim) Dip briefing
9:00 am: Daffodil Dip (Non-Swim) Dip start
9:00 am: 400m Daffodil Dip Swim Marshalling / Swim Briefing
9:15 am: 400m Daffodil Dip Swim start
9:15 am: 500m Juniors Swim Marshalling / Swim Briefing
9:30 am: 500m Juniors Swim start
9:15 am: 1.5km swim registration/entries close
9:45 am: 1.5km swim, Marshalling/Swim Briefing at Spoon Rocks
10:00 am: Daffodil Dip (Non-Swim) Dip ends
10:00 am: 1.5km swim starts
15 minutes after the last swimmer returns, a presentation will be held in front of the Club House

Prepare for this event

Have A Go: 1km Training Program
Whether you’re coming back after a long break or you’re completely new to swimming, we’ll help you prepare for your 1km swim. Learn more

Learn online with the OceanFit Academy or join a hands-on ocean clinic to improve your surf and open water skills.

Photo highlights

Getting there & around

Caves Beach is about 1.5 hours north of Sydney and a quick hop south of Newcastle, perfect for a Sunday swim escape. There’s plenty of street parking around the area, including at the beach via Mawson Close, or above the surf club off Caves Beach Road. But on a sunny day, spots fill fast, so arrive early or buddy up and carpool if you can.

Public transport is an option too. While there’s no train station at Caves Beach, buses run regularly from Swansea and Belmont, with stops along Caves Beach Road just a short walk from the action. Plan ahead using the Transport NSW trip planner to sync up your route.

Whichever way you get there, pack some warm gear, a snack, and maybe a thermos of tea, you’ll want to hang around post-swim and enjoy that salty satisfaction.

  • Caves Beach
  • Caves Beach NSW, Australia

While you're there

Caves Beach isn’t just a great place to swim, it’s a full-blown coastal playground. After your salty splash, grab a coffee and brekky from Mawson or kick back at Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows with a cold drink and sea breeze.

If the tides are right, explore the famous sea caves at the southern end of the beach, just check the conditions first, as they’re best explored at low tide. It’s a bit magical down there, with light bouncing off the rock walls and rockpools waiting to be discovered.

Not in a rush? Unroll your towel or set up a picnic on the grassy headland above the surf club and enjoy the view. Watch the grommets hit the waves, chat with your fellow swimmers, or just stretch out and let the post-swim glow sink in.

It’s coastal living at its best, laid-back, sun-kissed, and full of salty smiles.

How it went

Most recent results

2025 results are available

Previous results

2024 | 2023 | 2022

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