Narooma Bar Beach is a small sheltered beach on the north shore of Wagonga Inlet, just inside the breakwall at the entrance. The Nature Coast Marine Group describes a sandy beach bordered by an artificial rock wall, with a swimming net that extends in an arc back to the beach. Inside the net is rated novice, outside the net intermediate. It notes the site is well sheltered and reliable in almost any weather, with a tidal current.

The marine life list is long for such a shallow site: juvenile luderick, fan-bellied leatherjackets, bream, mullet, whiting, blue groper, wrasses, mado, sweep, white ears, red morwong, drummer, long-finned pike, octopus, sea hares, nudibranchs and seahorses. Seahorses cling to the net and the weed on the breakwall, and are a favourite of photographers. Stingrays are common on the sand, and at night octopus and squid hunt along the rocks.

The site suits snorkellers, beginners, training and macro photographers, and Underwater Safaris uses it for its first training dives. The key rules are safety ones: never duck-dive under the net (entanglement risk), stay out of the entrance channel with its current and boat traffic, and plan around the tide. It is the obvious option when the Narooma bar is closed and Montague Island is out of reach. It is also an excellent night dive as long as divers keep well inside the entrance. Photographers should bring a macro lens for the seahorses and nudibranchs.

In Narooma, follow Centenary Drive towards the inlet mouth to the large car park beside the Bar Beach boat ramp on the north shore of Wagonga Inlet. There is a toilet block and outdoor shower near the beach access. It is a few steps to the water.

Enter from the sand inside the netted swimming area for the easiest dive, or outside the net along the breakwall rocks for more life (intermediate). Underwater Safaris uses Bar Beach for training before taking students to Montague Island.

The Nature Coast Marine Group describes Bar Beach as well sheltered and a reliable place in almost any weather, but notes a tidal current. Visibility is best around high tide on the flood when clear ocean water comes through the entrance, and poorest on the ebb and after rain. The entrance channel beside the breakwall has strong current and boat traffic and should be avoided.

Very large easterly swell can surge through the entrance.

Enter around high slack tide. Inside the net, explore the sand and the net itself, where seahorses often cling. Outside the net, follow the breakwall rocks at 2–5 m, staying well clear of the main channel, and return before the tide turns.

Never duck under the net.

Underwater Safaris runs its beginner training at Bar Beach before Montague Island trips; the Nature Coast Marine Group lists it as a reliable snorkel site. Popular with independent snorkellers and divers.