Best patrolled beach
Clifton Beach. Consistent surf and regularly patrolled – great to learn surfing or having fun on a boogie board.
Best beach to snorkel
Tinderbox is a small beach south of Hobart, ideal for learning to snorkel. There are lots of underwater features to explore, and there are good amenities and parking. I also recommend the east end of Howrah Beach around the rocks.
Best isolated beach near Hobart
Hope Beach: On South Arm Road, this beach has great sand dunes and an incredible beach that is usually free of other people. It often has good surf. For a potentially wild and open beach not far from Hobart, this is it.
Best beach to explore with kids
A tough choice between the north end of Howrah Beach on the Eastern Shore and Okines Beach near Dodges Ferry.
Best camping beach
Cockle Creek is the best beach for camping in the south of Tasmania. Lime Bay is also worth a look.