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Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop going to the beach for some fun – especially if you have a proper four-wheel drive.
But that doesn’t mean the beaches of Bondi, Surfers Paradise or Cottesloe turn into off-road playgrounds in the off-season.
But Australia has many coastal areas where beach driving is permitted, which in turn offers a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the less populated areas of the country and enjoy the potential of what your 4WD was built for.
Driving a 4×4 on the beach is an adventure like no other, giving you the freedom to find your own sandy spot to play, your own surf spot or fishing spot, or simply drive somewhere else.
But what can be a great day trip also comes with its own set of requirements and responsibilities and, if ignored, can quickly become a costly, dangerous or environmentally damaging mistake.
Whether you’re a seasoned 4WD expert or planning your first beach run, here’s what you need to know to stay safe and enjoy the experience.
Not all SUVs have all-wheel drive
First things first: Not all SUVs have four-wheel drive, and even then, not all four-wheel drive vehicles are suitable for serious off-roading.
So before you leave the driveway, make sure you know your vehicle’s full capabilities and whether it’s suitable for beach driving.
Most small and medium-sized SUVs are based on conventional passenger car platforms and while they may have more ground clearance, most only drive the front wheels, like a regular hatchback or sedan, and are therefore less suitable for driving off the beaten path than on a flat gravel road.
Higher-end or larger SUVs are often equipped with all-wheel drive, which does not necessarily mean they are suitable for driving on the beach, especially on soft sand or dunes, as their AWD systems generally operate primarily in front-wheel drive mode and only transfer torque to the rear axle when front wheel spin is detected.
If the beach is flat and has firm sand, this may be fine. However, proceed with caution.
Beach driving is best done in a vehicle equipped with a suitable all-wheel drive transmission, such as the Mahindra Scorpio, which has a low-range transfer case, a rear differential lock and multiple drive modes that adapt the electronics to different conditions, including driving on sand.
Salvage equipment
Before you get started, there are a few additional accessories that you should always have with you when driving on the beach – or on any off-road adventure.
First, you’ll need a quick bleeder – or at least a tire pressure gauge – to remove some air from the tires before driving on sand. Reducing tire pressure significantly increases the tire’s contact area, reducing the risk of getting stuck.
A general guideline is between 15 and 25 psi depending on the vehicle and tire type. However, you can find the optimal tire pressure settings for off-road driving depending on the load and mass of the vehicle on the tire label or in the operating instructions.
At the other end of the driving experience, make sure you have a portable compressor to re-inflate the tires to the correct pressure for on-road driving.
It’s also best to have a tether and recovery hooks in case you need to be towed if you get stuck, or to help someone else in a similar situation.
If used incorrectly, tension straps can be dangerous. Therefore, make sure your harness is rated for the weight of your vehicle and practice recovery techniques on solid ground if you are inexperienced.
When driving on sand dunes, visibility may be limited due to the undulating nature of the area, and in some areas vehicles are required to carry a highly visible, high-mounted flag.
We also recommend bringing a set of traction boards. These plastic chains can be placed under the tires if you ever get stuck, and like an upside-down soccer cleat, their spikes provide more traction to help you get out of a sticky situation.
You can also use traction boards to dig out your car, but it’s best to take a small shovel with you as well.
If you can, it is best to travel in a group or with at least one other four-wheel drive vehicle, especially in remote coastal areas, to minimize risk and make recovery operations quicker and easier. And carry radios or fully charge your cell phone.
If you are traveling in extremely remote areas, a satellite phone and/or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) are also highly recommended.
Finally, take a first aid kit, food and water with you.
Rules and regulations
Beaches and sand dunes are generally fragile ecosystems that are constantly changing. Irresponsible driving in these areas can cause irreversible damage such as erosion and loss of habitat for native flora and fauna.
Therefore, observe any special rules and regulations, use only marked access routes, avoid driving over vegetation and maintain a respectful distance from birds and marine life, such as seal colonies and turtle nesting sites.
If you find an injured animal, contact your local wildlife agency immediately and provide the exact location.
Many beaches have speed limits – usually between 20 and 60 km/h – and there is a general etiquette to slow down near parked cars, swimmers, walkers, fishermen and camping or picnic areas.
Also, as on a normal road, keep to the left of oncoming vehicles and look for opportunities to avoid narrow tracks.
Many beaches are also part of the national park system or are on native land and require a fee or permit. Therefore, inform yourself before you leave.
Driving on the beach
Now that you’re ready to hit the sand, driving on the beach requires a unique technique.
Firstly, the nature of the soft sand – and the lower tire pressure – means that the steering is not as responsive and causes the vehicle to sway back and forth underneath you, especially if there are already numerous tire tracks from other vehicles.
Think of it like skiing: on fresh snow you can find your own path, but when the snow is already crushed, you keep jumping onto different tracks.
Momentum is the key element here, and maintaining a constant speed with gentle corrections through the steering ensures you maintain a consistent path.
With that in mind, we recommend disabling the traction control system so that the computers don’t cut off power to the engine or use the anti-lock braking system to try to keep the car going straight.
On the one hand, this can cause the car to lose momentum when necessary or cause the vehicle to jerk from side to side, and on the other hand, it can cause the driver to overreact.
A car can tip over much more easily in sand than in many other environments, so sudden changes in direction can have catastrophic consequences.
When turning or changing direction, brake gently beforehand and then steer slowly through a wide arc, while maintaining sufficient speed.
The vehicle tends to understeer, meaning the front tires feel like they are slipping and unresponsive to steering input. However, avoid steering too much or the tires could dig into the sand.
Once you have completed the curve, slowly release the steering lock and begin to accelerate gently again.
Because sand is a rather monotonous environment (particularly in the midday sun when there is no shade), it is more difficult than in most other situations to assess changes in the terrain.
Therefore, visibility is crucial and looking into the distance is an early warning of obstacles or situations that you may need to prepare for.
Wearing polarized sunglasses highlights any gradations in the sand much better and reduces glare.
Watch for subtle changes in the shade or color of the sand, as these may represent sharp dips or bumps in the track that could cause serious damage to the vehicle or injury to passengers if driven over too quickly.
As you approach a slope or dune, prepare to accelerate—and even lower your gear ratio if necessary—and use enough power to safely reach the top and go straight.
However, avoid driving too much speed on the crest and be prepared to stop or change direction as the crest could throw your car into the air or the descent on the other side could be dangerous.
If you don’t make it to the crest of the dune, try not to turn around, otherwise the car could easily roll down the slope. Instead, select reverse, follow your tracks back down, and apply the brakes to maintain a slow and steady speed.
When you need to stop and there is room, release the accelerator and the friction will cause the car to naturally come to a smooth stop. If you must apply the brakes, do so carefully and avoid applying maximum pressure at the end of the stop so that the front tires do not sink too deeply into the sand.
If possible, try to stop in an area with a slight slope as this will make it easier for you to get moving again.
And when you do that, you have to apply the accelerator liberally to get it moving with some progressive wheelspin. But too much throttle simply causes the wheels to simply dig themselves into a hole. It’s about balance.
Avoid driving on the softest sand near the water. This may look the cleanest without any other tire tracks, but it’s the easiest place to get stuck.
And don’t drive directly into the breaking waves, as they can be unpredictable and cause serious damage if water gets into the engine.
Of course, it’s also worth checking information about tide and surf conditions and their potential impact on access roads, intersections and other obstacles.
If conditions have exposed rocks or dragged driftwood or other items onto the beach, slow down and stop to check that you can safely navigate over or around them before proceeding.
Many beaches have tidal creeks or water passages. And although these may seem harmless and shallow, they can be extremely deceptive and can hide fast-moving water, deep holes or sharp, steep edges.
When approaching a water crossing, stop the vehicle a few car lengths from the edge and get out to survey the situation and find the safest area to navigate. The time taken could save you thousands in damages.
So that’s our essential guide to driving a 4WD on the beach. It’s a great way to explore new places and enjoy your vehicle.
MORE: Explore Mahindra Scorpio showroom
