Where to Swim Like a Local in Coolum
When you arrive in Coolum, it’s easy to be drawn straight to the main stretch of beach with its patrolled flags and lively surf. But if you wander just a little further, you’ll find the places where locals slip into the water, escape the crowds, and let the day drift by with salt on their skin.
Here are a few favourite spots to swim like a local:
🌊 Stumers Creek
A family favourite, Stumers Creek is where the ocean meets the creek in a calm, shallow inlet that feels made for long afternoons. Kids can splash safely, dogs are welcome to run free, and the wide sandbanks make it easy to settle in for the day. Bring a picnic, throw in a line, or just float where the creek winds its way to the sea.
🌊 First Bay
Tucked just south of Coolum’s main beach, First Bay is a pocket-sized cove with golden sand, rocky outcrops, and some of the clearest water around. When the tide is low, the rock pools come alive with tiny marine treasures. It’s a quieter, more intimate swim spot, perfect if you want to skip the crowds and find your own patch of sand.
🌊 Peregian & Beyond
Head a few minutes north and you’ll find the relaxed shores of Peregian Beach, where the vibe is always a little slower. Keep driving further up the coast or into the Noosa National Park and you’ll stumble across even more tucked-away beaches, places locals guard like secrets. Think hidden coves, calm lagoons, and swimming holes framed by pandanus trees.
Tips for Swimming Like a Local
Check the tides: First Bay and other smaller coves change completely with the tide, low tide is best for rockpool exploring.
Bring reef shoes: Many of these hidden spots are rocky around the edges.
Stay safe: Patrolled beaches are always safest for a proper swim, especially with kids. Use the local spots for splashing, wading, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Pack light: A towel, hat, and cold drink are all you really need.
Coolum’s beauty is more than just the wide main beach, it’s in the tucked-away coves, the quiet creeks, and the places you stumble across when you take the slower path. Stay at Sirens Keep and you’ll be just steps from the ocean, with all of these swim spots waiting at your doorstep.
