Sawtell is a haven for fishing, swimming and surfing. The beach is patrolled in the summer and at the southern end there are rock pools and sheltered water.

Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck along the beach, around the headlands to the north and south or within the extensive Bonville and Boambee tidal creeks.

Boambee Creek Reserve is well known for its BBQ areas and activities to suite the whole family with swimming, fishing, surfing, kayaking and play areas for children.

Bongil Bongil National Park, south of Sawtell, has some excellent walks and picnic areas and is an important nesting site for the rare and endangered Little Terns. The birds migrate to Sawtell each spring after a 6000 km migration from east Asia. The bird is a critically endangered species in NSW.