Shellharbour Marina, set on the NSW South Coast, is one of Australia’s most impressive new boating lifestyle destinations.
Positioned 50nm south of Sydney Harbour and 30nm north of Jervis Bay, it offers direct access to the Tasman Sea. Since opening just over four years ago, its location, combined with the world-class marina facilities, continues to attract both permanent berth holders and visiting cruisers. With a new Boat Maintenance Facility opening in 2027, the marina is set to evolve into a complete marine precinct and boat maintenance destination.
Gateway to the South Coast
Located within Shell Cove Harbour, a purpose-built inshore harbour, the marina provides a highly sheltered environment. As Shellharbour Marina Director Les Binkin notes, “you can come straight out of open water and within about 500m you’re in a safe, well protected harbour.”
The marina comprises 270 berths for both monohull and multihull vessels, supported by high-quality amenities, services and facilities. Berths within the inner harbour range from 12 to 42 metres, with various deep water draft berths in both the inner and outer harbour at 4.4m and a minimum depth of 3.2m at LAT.
Shellharbour Marina’s location continues to attract visiting vessels. “We sit right on that north–south cruising route, so vessels travelling up and down the East Coast go straight past our doorstep,” says Les. “We’ve also built quite a following of delivery skippers who now make this marina one of their regular stopovers, because they know they can get in, get what they need and move on easily.”
A boating lifestyle
Step off your boat and you’re straight into a mix of waterfront dining, a five-star hotel and access to everyday essentials, with Woolworths, a bottle shop, pharmacy and a bakery all just a short stroll away. “You can live here, walk to the marina and your boat, and enjoy that lifestyle,” says Les. “You’ve also got beaches only a few hundred metres away, whether it’s for a surf or a swim, so everything feels very connected to the marina.”
Standards boat owners can trust
The marina has quickly built a strong set of credentials, reflected in several key industry accreditations. Shellharbour Marina Director Les Binkin sits on the Marina Industries Association’s Board of Directors and understands the role accreditations play in setting benchmarks across marina operations. The marina holds both Gold Anchor and Superyacht Ready accreditations, two independently assessed qualifications that boat owners can trust. Superyacht Ready confirms it has the infrastructure, access and capability required to accommodate superyachts, while Gold Anchor recognises high standards across marina facilities, service and management.
Environmental credentials are equally strong, with Clean Marina and Fish Friendly Marina accreditations highlighting an ongoing commitment to sustainable operations and the protection of the surrounding marine environment.
“Shellharbour Marina is a fantastic Superyacht Ready marina that is the centrepiece of the Shell Cove community,” says Marina Industries Association CEO Suzanne Davies. “The marina is an accessible berthing location for boaters across the NSW South Coast and Canberra. It has a great operator in Les Binkin and was built by a renowned marina builder, Bellingham Marine. The opening of the Boat Maintenance Facility will see it become a full-service marine precinct and an ideal place to stop for maintenance.”
The marina team
For boaties, interactions with the marina team are a key part of the overall experience. “Whether it’s the office staff, the dock team or the broader marina crew, it’s important that every interaction reflects the level of service we want to deliver,” says Les. “Berth holders and visitors rely on our team for assistance, advice on their vessel, and the confidence that they’re in a well-run marina.”
Service consistency is reflected across the entire operation, supported by a strong emphasis on experience, training and industry best practice. Shellharbour Marina’s leadership team includes General Manager Ben Schooley and Marina Manager Jarvis Binkin. Together with Les, they bring a depth of industry experience and operational expertise to the marina. Both Les and Ben are Certified Marina Managers (CMM), while Jarvis is a Certified Marina Operator (CMO), globally recognised qualifications that reflect the highest standards in marina management and operations.
Service and support
The Marina Services Centre is a natural focal point of the marina, serving as both a social and service hub. It brings together the marina office and client services in one location. Dockmasters provide on-water assistance with arrivals and departures, along with support sourcing chandlery items, provisioning and local knowledge. The Dock Shop, located within the centre, carries a practical range of marine supplies including fenders, dock lines, bilge pumps, power leads and spill equipment, along with marina merchandise such as towels and hats.
Amenities and comfort
Shellharbour Marina offers a well-considered range of amenities designed to support both short stays and longer berthing. Located within the Marina Services Centre, facilities include secure, access-controlled entry, private ensuite bathrooms and a fully equipped laundry with complimentary washers and dryers. The Client Lounge provides a stylish air-conditioned space to step ashore, with complimentary refreshments, snacks and Wi-Fi available.
It’s also used for club meetings and social gatherings. Onshore storage is also available via 42 undercroft cages, ranging from 3-7sqm. These provide practical space for items such as fishing gear, spare sails, covers and water sports equipment, keeping essential gear close to the vessel.
Refuelling made easy
Access to fuel is a key consideration for boat owners, and Shellharbour Marina’s fuel wharf operates seven days a week to support both berth holders and visiting vessels. Fuel options include premium diesel – available in both high flow (up to 160l per minute) and low flow – as well as premium unleaded. Pump-out facilities are also available on site. Concierge refuelling can be arranged through the marina management and dockmaster team, streamlining the process for boaters.
Boat Maintenance Facility
Set to open in 2027, the Boat Maintenance Facility will extend Shellharbour Marina’s world-class offering, positioning it as a leading boat maintenance destination. “The Boat Maintenance Facility will turn Shellharbour Marina into a full marine precinct, where vessels can berth, be serviced and then continue on their journey,” says Les. “Bringing those elements together in one place will take the marina to the next level.”
The facility will feature modern vessel slipping capabilities via a 100-tonne travel lift, accommodating vessels up to 30m (98 ft) with an 8.8m-beam. A comprehensive range of marine trades – including shipwrights, mechanics, electricians, painters and detailers – will be located on site, delivering end-to-end service solutions for boat owners.
It will also include a state-of-the-art dry boat storage facility, safely accommodating up to 120 vessels of up to 10m, with secure undercover storage. Designed for ease of use, it will offer a streamlined “step-on, step-off” boating experience with vessel access available seven days a week.
A fully stocked chandlery is also planned, offering marine electronics, safety equipment, apparel, water sports gear, trailer accessories, as well as books and navigation charts, further strengthening the marina’s role as a key service hub for boaters.