SharkSmart
Find information and resources to help you reduce the risk of a close encounter with a shark at NSW beaches and estuaries.
Surf Life Saving NSW is the largest UAV (drone) coastal surveillance operator in the Southern Hemisphere, delivering advanced shark and marine coastal surveillance services on behalf of the NSW Government to the community of NSW since 2017.
While reducing the risk of shark interactions remains the primary objective, UAV operations provide far broader public safety benefits. UAV surveillance enables early detection of rip currents, swimmers in distress and other coastal hazards, supporting proactive warnings, and faster, better-informed responses to protect the community.
Through its work in the drone sector, SLSNSW has been awarded numerous industry awards at the Australian Aviation Awards, including being named a three time winner of the UAV Business of the Year recognising the organisation’s excellence nationally.
NSW Government’s Shark Management Program
As of July 2026, the NSW Government’s Shark Management Program has SLSNSW drones flying at 96 beaches across NSW – many everyday, from dawn til dusk.
The program uplift includes:
- Year-round drone coverage across all Sydney beaches (Palm Beach to Cronulla)
- Expanded coverage to additional high-use coastal locations
- Longer daily operations from dawn until dusk
- Surveillance extending beyond patrolled beaches to popular unpatrolled areas
- Continued integration of AI and advanced monitoring technologies
This investment strengthens our ability to detect hazards earlier, respond faster, and provide timely warnings to the public, ultimately saving more lives.
Sydney Drone Flying Locations
Northern Beaches
Everyday
North Palm Beach
Palm Beach
Whale Beach
Bilgola/Avalon Beach
Newport Beach
Mona Vale/Bungan
Warriewood Beach/Turimetta
North Narrabeen/South Narrabeen/Narrabeen
Collaroy Beach
Long Reef
Dee Why Beach (incl. Dee Why Lagoon)
Curl Curl (North & South)
Freshwater/Queenscliff Beach
Manly/North Steyne
Waverley
Everyday
Tamarama/Bronte Beach
Bondi/North Bondi
Randwick
Everyday
Clovelly (Incl. Gordons Bay)
Maroubra/South Maroubra
Beach
Coogee Beach
Malabar
Little Bay
Sutherland
Everyday
Wanda/Greenhills Beach
Elouera/North Cronulla/
Cronulla Beach
North Coast Drone Flying Locations
Tweed
Everyday
Kingscliff Main Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Fingal Head Beach
Salt Beach
Cabarita Beach
Byron
Everyday
Byron Bay Main Beach/Clarkes Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Brunswick Heads
Ballina
Everyday
Lennox Head Main Beach
Sharpes Beach
Shelly Beach
Lighthouse Beach
Richmond Valley
Everyday
Evans Head
Clarence Valley
Everyday
Yamba Main Beach
Coffs Harbour
Everyday
Sawtell Main Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Woolgoolga Beach
Bellingen
Everyday
Urunga (Hungry Head)
Nambucca
Everyday
Macksville-Scotts Head
Kempsey
Everyday
Crescent Head
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
South-West Rocks (Front Beach & Horseshoe Beach)
Port Macquarie-Hastings
Everyday
Town Beach/Oxley Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Tacking Point/Lighthouse Beach
MidCoast
Everyday
Crowdy Head
Forster/Tuncurry Break Wall
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Black Head
Cape Hawke
Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest
Port Stephens
Everyday
Birubi Beach
One Mile Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Fingal Bay
Newcastle
Everyday
Dixon Park/Bar Beach/Merewether Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Nobbys Beach
Lake Macquarie
Everyday
Redhead Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Catherine Hill Bay
Central Coast
Everyday
Avoca Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Winter & Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
North Entrance Beach/The Entrance
Ocean Beach
Killcare
South Coast Drone Flying Locations
Wollongong
Everyday
North Wollongong Beach/
Puckeys Beach/Towradgi
Beach/Fairy Meadow
Every weekend +
Everyday in Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Helensburgh-Stanwell Park
Coledale Beach
Shellharbour
Everyday
Shellharbour
Kiama
Everyday
Surf Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Gerringong
Shoalhaven
Everyday
Mollymook Beach
Every weekend +
Everyday in Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Nowra Culburra
Eurobodalla
Everyday
Broulee Surfers
Every weekend +
Everyday in Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Batemans Bay
Narooma
Bega Valley
Everyday
Tathra
Every weekend +
Everyday in Spring School Holidays +
Everyday 1 Dec 26 – 30 Apr 27
Pambula Beach
FAQs
Why is there no drone at my local beach?
The locations and schedule is selected by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. You can see the full list of locations above.
Why can't I see or hear the drone?
They are flying at 60m high and are moving regularly, following a specific flight path. They are supposed to be subtle and not flying directly over the public.
How often do the drones fly?
The drones are scheduled to fly twice every hour. 25 minute shift and land for a battery change.
What training do the pilots receive?
The pilots are required to have their Aviation Reference Number, a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Accreditation from CASA or their Remote Pilots Licence and undertake an Operator Induction Program. They are trained to identify different shark species and are first aid qualified.
What weather conditions can the drones fly in?
The Matrice 4 can fly in winds up to 45km/hr. The Matrice 30 an fly in winds up to 60km and in heavy rain.
What happens when the drone sights a shark?
The sighting is assessed, the shark species and size is identified. If the shark is a White, Bull, Tiger or over 2m the drone will fly over anyone located in the water and will sound the alarm, evacuating the water. The drone will continue monitoring the shark.
How do I know if the drone is operating at my beach?
Download the SharkSmart app for real time updates and locations.
Why is the drone not operating at my beach today?
There are a lot of factors. There may not be a pilot available for that shift at that location or the weather could be impacting the drones operations e.g. wind and rain exceeding the manufacturers specifications.