Bateau Bay is a sleepy coastal village, Bateau Bay was first settled in 1828, It is known for fishing and whale watching in May to October. Nearby Wyrrabalong National Park has lots of bird and native wildlife.

Bateau Bay is about 6 km south of the town of The Entrance and 17 km northeast of Gosford's central business district. In 2006, it had a population of 11,599 people. Bateau Bay Beach provides access to Crackneck Point, which is a popular local surfing spot. Crackneck Point Lookout (about 100 metres above sea level) is a short distance from the beach, where there is a large clearing and carpark with information boards and a picnic-barbecue area.

Much of the Bateau Bay area is dominated by the southern 140 ha section of Wyrrabalong National Park. A distinctive foreshore feature of the park's coastal cliffs are extensive rock platforms, which are good bases for rock fishing or low tide exploration. Wyrrabalong National Park is a haven for marine, bird, and native wildlife, which include goannas, bandicoots, fantails, and the tawny frogmouth. A 1.6 km walk through Wyrrabalong National Park links Crackneck Point Lookout and Forresters Beach.