Flat set bay with sandbar and island guarding entrance. Flat water even in 25 knot winds due to sandbars and island breaking enhance waves. Waist deep for almost 75m on east side more with tide out. No mooring so no marina to worry about. Only thing is that when you see the water colour go from light blue to dark blue means you are now in water over your head so you had better be able to go upwind or you will be catching the ferry back from the other side of the bay (keep a 5 or 10 dollar bill in your harness).

Wide, sandy beaches in all directions including on island. Road access to a few spots but best to have 4wheel drive for dunes access. The bay is over 2km across NS and over 5km WE and undeveloped beaches on all North and East directions. Means no power lines or other hazards. Like riding on a lake or big river except that there are wide beaches on all shores.

NE in summer, late November to March 10-20 knots average. S to SE winter June to October 15-30 knots average, but gusty. Best if from E, SE, W, or SW because beaches are better on North side. Can ride in all wind directions because land and beaches surround, because it is like a big oval. In a NE you can kite in the ocean side at area B or if the tide is out, then best area ever is to kite in area A (west point of harbour). The wind will be offshore but only a metre deep water for about a 100 metres. If the wind is blowing from the Southwest then you can kite at anywhere in the bay but we like it best at West at point C (Jimmys Beach). If the wind is from the South, then best forget it as the land mass on Nelson side of bay causes wind to be really gusty.

North of New Castle on North side of Tea Gardens at Nelsons Bay. 2 hour drive North from Sydney. To get to spot A go to Jimmies caravan park (parking A) and walk from there, it is a bit of a walk but better then going over the dunes. At West winds point C (Jimmys Beach). Not to long of walk from end of beach road.

Can't camp in the dunes because the park rangers are starting to give fines for cars in parking lots after dark.

No night life in Hawks Nest. There are one or two restaurants for dinner but nothing worth mentioning. Go to Newcastle (0.5-1h drive) for action.