Main Beach is Byron Bay's social hub — the wide, patrolled stretch of sand running north from the town centre to the base of the Cape Byron headland. It is busy in summer and at Easter but rarely feels unpleasant; the beach is long enough to spread out, and the water is reliably warm from November through April. Lifesavers patrol the flagged section between the flags; swim between them.
Clarkes Beach continues from Main Beach to the east, where the sand narrows slightly and the crowd thins. It is the preferred spot for surfers working the break that forms in front of the rocky point, and a calmer option for families. Both beaches face northeast and are generally sheltered from southerly swells, which makes them gentler than Tallow to the south.
The grassed foreshore between the beach and the town has a good path for morning runs, and there are good facilities — showers, toilets, barbecues. The beach directly in front of town can get crowded; head fifteen minutes north towards The Pass or south towards Belongil for more space.