Oct. 8, 2013, 4:07 a.m.

Fishermans Beach, an unpatrolled beach, was one of eight Wollongong beaches graded as very good in the State of the Beaches 2012-13 report.

The water quality at Illawarra beaches is among the best in the state, according to a report released to coincide with the start of the summer swimming season.

All 13 Wollongong beaches monitored for the annual State of the Beaches 2012-13 report were graded "very good" or "good" in 2012-13, giving the council area a 100 per cent success rate.

That is well above the state average, with 81 per cent of swimming locations reviewed across the state achieving very good or good gradings.

Only three beaches were reviewed in the Shellharbour council area and while Warilla and Shellharbour beaches were graded as very good, the water quality at Entrance Lagoon Beach was "poor" meaning swimming should be avoided for three days after heavy rain.

However most lake/lagoon sites did not fare well in the report compared to ocean beaches, as when the entrances to the ocean are closed they can become a collection point for stormwater runoff.

The "poor" grading didn't bother visitors to Entrance Lagoon Beach over the long weekend, with the sheltered area a favourite among families and other beachgoers.

The Razov family from south-west Sydney are regular visitors to the region, and this is one of their top sandy spots.

"It's perfect for the kids as there's no big waves and it's fairly shallow so they can splash around and enjoy themselves," mum Michelle Razov said.

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