The Basin (BB 11) is the best known and most popular of the Pittwater beaches, used by day-trippers, campers and people moored on boats off the beach. It is located 3 km south of West Head and deep in Coasters Retreat, a funnel shaped steep-sided valley. The beach consists of a 500 m long beach and sand spit that has been built by occasional ocean waves moving sand down into the narrow bay, building the beach and spit across the mid-bay and thereby enclosing the 9 ha, 600 m long, Basin. A permanent tidal inlet links The Basin with the bay and strong tidal currents flowing in and out of the basin are one of the attractions of the area. A shark net is located in the inlet to prevent sharks entering The Basin. The Basin itself is a popular swimming and canoeing area. It has a sandy tidal flat to provide access and a pontoon moored off the beach. The main Basin beach fronts the 6 ha of flat sandy spit, which is now given over to camping, picnicking and recreation, as well as a ranger’s residence. The beach consists of a steep narrow high tide beach, with relatively deep water off the beach. A 30 m long jetty is located in the centre of the beach, while numerous boats are usually moored right of the beach, particularly during the summer holiday periods. read more

Beach Length: 0.5km