The Best Things to Do in Moana Beach That Are Fun All Year Round
- Surf
- Hook a big one
- Chill at Moana Beach Tourist Park
- Walk through time at Moana Sands Conservation Park
- Swim the shallows or stride along the shore
- Have a slice of luxury at Luxe Haus
- Let your kid run wild at Graham Rabbett Reserve
- Be bewitched by the view at Ochre Point
- Refuel at Deep Blue Cafe
- Enjoy the golden hour in the comforts of your car
- Marvel at dolphins and birds
- Uncover what the rock pools hide
You don’t need to travel across the globe for a killer beach day. Adelaide has plenty of beaches! Take Moana Beach, for instance.
Looking for skinks or honeyeaters? A section of the beach teems with rare animals. Looking for picture-perfect spots? The majestic Ochre Point might be what you’re after.
We rounded up more activities you can do at the beach below. We even added nifty hacks and tips to ensure your sandy outing won’t turn into a real head-scratcher.
Surf
From surfala.uy
You don’t have to be a world-class surfer to ride the waves at Moana Beach. The reliable surf and solid beach breaks aren’t too prevalent, but they’re fantastic for rookies.
Based on our experience, winter, especially August, is the prime surfing time here. Catching the wind from the east is our way to go, with clean groundswells rolling in from the west-southwest.
The main snag is it can get crowded, especially on weekends. There are also a few rocky sections you must avoid, but overall, the beach is good for beginners (and kind of a buzzkill for pros who prefer unforgiving waves).
Tips: New to surfing? Moana Beach has surf schools offering group and private lessons.
They also rent boards, ideal for those who think lugging one around is a hassle (because it is).
Hook a big one
With Moana Beach on the Fleurieu Coast, you’re likely to reel in a bountiful haul. The waters teem with the ocean’s best and most diverse offerings, and there are potential catches no matter the season.
In our recent fishing escapades here, mullet, squid, King George whiting, and tommies were the usual hauls. Our secret is picking a day with fair weather and keeping our casts within distance.
For late angling sesh, we recommend getting a UV torch. They can run from 12 to 25 bucks—a worthwhile investment if you’re really serious about bringing home free food.
Tip: If you’re new to squid fishing, guarantee a catch by using proper equipment. Consider checking our in-depth guide on this. You won’t go home with an empty bucket.
Chill at Moana Beach Tourist Park
From 73heiny
Address: 44 Nashwauk Cres
Contact Details: (08) 8327 0677
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 4 pm
Thanks to the Moana Beach Tourist Park, spending a day or two in Moana Beach doesn’t mean you’ll have to be a castaway.
Their modern cabins are the premier picks, sleeping at least two beach bums for prices that range from $130 to $160 nightly. If you want to stretch your dollar, though, opt for the larger but less lux campsites, costing around 42 to 46 bucks per night.
As for the facilities, there are upgraded BBQ grills, courts for shooting hoops or smashing tennis balls, and a fully-equipped laundry. You can even pay extra to enjoy pedal carts and ice cream.
Tip: Bringing your pupper is paw-ssible. However, you better sniff out their conditions to ensure a smooth stay.
Walk through time at Moana Sands Conservation Park
Google Maps
Contact Details: (08) 8552 0300
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Website
The rolling dunes at Moana Sands Conservation Park are a sight for sore eyes. However, this place isn’t just for Insta-worthy backdrops; it’s a significant camp for the Kaurna people, dating back thousands of years.
Beyond its picturesque appeal and cultural importance, the park has coastal vegetation that attracts fauna. Tourists and locals often bump into skinks, honeyeaters, painted dragons, and dotterels.
Tip: The conservation park has no shade. Visit on cooler days, dress in sun-resistant clothing, and pack ample sunscreen to beat the heat.
Swim the shallows or stride along the shore
From alimarconi
On a good day, Moana Beach’s waves barely tickle your ankles, making it a family-friendly hotspot for swimming. In addition, the beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers during summer, so your little ones can safely waddle in the shallows.
For those not in the mood for a dip, you can pedal along the flat shoreline or take a stroll during the golden hour. Most of the beach is sandy, plus there’s minimal seaweed to step on.
Dog lovers can also bring their furry friends. We recommend keeping your pets leashed, though. You don’t want them to go on a birdie pursuit.
Tip: Before diving in, remember that tides wait for no swimmer! Check them out to avoid an unexpected drift.
Have a slice of luxury at Luxe Haus
Address:12 Maidencombe Dr
Contact Details: 0421 349 959
Check-in: 2 pm
Check-out: 12 pm
Website
Having a beach day at Moana is already luxury, but Luxe Haus takes it up a notch. This holiday home is the most lavish around—a night here will make you feel like a million bucks.
Every room is fancy, but the extravagance peaks inside their 20-person heated spa that overlooks the jaw-dropping Fleurieu coastline. The tech is also top-tier, from the controllable dumbwaiter to the cutting-edge televisions.
In terms of foodie pampering, your stay starts with a bottle of champagne and platters. As the sun sets, a chef will prepare a bespoke 3-course degustation dinner to be washed down with a premium vino from their 500-bottle cellar.
Tip: Better move quickly to book this property. It’s a tourist magnet despite the $2,500 price per night.
Let your kid run wild at Graham Rabbett Reserve
From lifestyle_fitness_ptpatricia
Address: Regent St
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Website
Taking our kids to Graham Rabbett Reserve was a great move. This spot’s playground is a well-kept secret, allowing us to savor solitude while our kids ran wild without bumping into throngs.
Additionally, there are multiple play features around, like quirky climbing equipment, short but smooth slides, and swings ideal even for the tiniest kiddos. Our bigger boys and girls also had a blast draining jump shots on the hoop.
When they were too exhausted to let loose, we just cooked up a storm on the free BBQ grills. The cherry on top was the sunset view—no skyscrapers or towering trees blocked the golden scenery.
Tip: Unfortunately, the reserve doesn’t have enough shaded seats. Check the weather forecast before you go to avoid turning into a human steak.
Be bewitched by the view at Ochre Point
From damomatthewss
Ochre Point is where the Fleurieu Peninsula flaunts its rugged beauty. If you’re wondering why, it’s because this coastal ridge has a striking bowl-shaped formation adorned with dramatic cliffs.
The ever-stretching Gulf St Vincent adds to its appeal. Shutterbugs and nature buffs also love exploring the location’s reef flats and rock rubbles.
Tip: Planning to go down on the beach? The rocky and slippery section might give you a hard time, so wear sturdy, non-slip shoes to avoid going home with bruises.
Refuel at Deep Blue Cafe
Address: 324 Esplanade
Contact Details: (08) 8327 4044
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Fri – 9 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm
- Sat to Sun – 8:30 am to 8 pm
With drool-worthy bites, heavenly beach panoramas, and a laid-back atmosphere, the La Boca-inspired Deep Blue Cafe is your Moana Beach gateway to chill and chow down.
The favorite fares are mostly modern Australian plates, with eggs, brekky rolls, and smashed avocado as the best-sellers. For the bevvies, smoothies, and milkshakes are the blends to drain dry.
But if you want the heavy hitters, stop by from lunch to dinner. Scotch filets, beef burgers, seafood baskets, and chicken parmi take over the tables during this period.
Tip: Want to secure a coveted spot during summer? Book early between December 26 and January 28 to snag a sun-kissed seat.
Enjoy the golden hour in the comforts of your car
From the_roving_maguires
One of the perks at Moana Beach is cruising your vehicle right onto the sand. This makes picnicking a breeze, as you can kick back and dine in the ultimate beachfront dining room—your car!
But, like all good things in life, it isn’t free. The $8 fee is unlikely to dent your savings, though.
You also have to follow a few rules, most notably the no camping and overnight parking regulations. Moreover, you can only drive on the shoreline from 5:30 am to 12 am.
Tip: Avoid trouble and additional fees by reviewing these parking conditions.
Marvel at dolphins and birds
From moanabeachlife
Humans aren’t the only ones who love to hang out at Moana Beach. The spot teems with wildlife, too, particularly dolphins, which often swim in pods.
You can also encounter a couple of birds, like honey-eaters, brown goshawks, dotterels, and even the rare hooded plover. But if you’re truly lucky, sting rays and seals might also make a surprise appearance.
Tip: Plan your visit strategically by heading out early in the morning or evening when the flippers are most lively and active.
Uncover what the rock pools hide
From staceyaustinkirsch
One of our never-ending obsessions is investigating Moana Beach’s rock pools. You can’t blame us, though, as these typically hidden coastal crevices brim with pint-sized aquatic wonders.
Our usual discoveries include flower-like anemones, slimy (slightly scary) mollusks, and a whole bunch of claw-sporting crustaceans, such as hermit crabs and shrimps.
Sea stars and jellyfish are also common, although we always keep our hands to ourselves—getting on their bad side is no fun.
Tip: The best time to explore rock pools is during low tide when these hidden aquatic wonders are fully exposed!
