Shelly Beach is a small beach just inside the mouth of the Moruya River at Moruya Heads, and it is the most practical shore snorkelling and dive spot at the heads. The Nature Coast Marine Group lists it with shallow reefs east and west of the beach and warns of possible river current in deeper water. It has toilets, a shower and a picnic area with barbecues.

The reefs are shallow rock with kelp and weed, sponges and sea squirts, surrounded by sand. As an estuary-mouth site it gets a mix of ocean and estuary fish: bream, luderick, blackfish, leatherjackets, whiting and mullet, with blue groper and wrasse on the rocks and stingrays on the sand. Octopus, sea hares and nudibranchs are found in the rocks, and seahorses can sometimes be found in weedy areas of NSW estuary entrances. On an incoming tide, schools of baitfish and occasional larger predators such as tailor and salmon come in with the clearer ocean water.

The site suits snorkellers, families and new divers. The key to a good visit is timing: go around high tide on the flood after dry weather, and stay away from the channel where the current runs. It is not a site for deep diving. Because the only source is a snorkelling guide, the depth range here is indicative. It pairs well with a morning boat dive when the ocean is too rough for shore diving elsewhere.

From Moruya drive about 7 km east along South Head Road to Moruya Heads and follow signs to Shelly Beach near the river mouth and breakwall. There is a parking area with toilets, a shower and a picnic area with barbecues. Walk down to the beach and enter from the sand, heading to the shallow reefs to the east or west.

The beach is inside the river entrance and protected from most ocean swell, but the Nature Coast Marine Group warns of possible river current in deeper water. Visibility is best on an incoming tide near high water after dry weather and poor on the ebb or after rain when the Moruya River carries sediment. Strong easterly swell can push into the entrance.

Enter around high slack water, snorkel or dive the reef to one side at 2–6 m and return before the tide turns. Stay out of the main river channel and away from the breakwall entrance.

No dive operator schedules it; the Nature Coast Marine Group lists it as a snorkel site. Divers visit independently.