The beach was created in the 1890s when sand pushed up against the newly constructed training walls of the Richmond River, causing Shaws Bay to fill with sand and forming the beach between the northern training wall and Ballina Head.

[4] In the 1970s 30 hectares (0.12 sq mi) of beachfront land was developed into housing.

[3] The beach is a popular surfing location but has a history of shark attacks, including fatal ones in 2008 and 2015.

[8] Lighthouse Beach was one of five to have drum lines installed later in the year to capture sharks.

[9] The beach is regarded as dangerous to swimmers because of rip tides, of which it has two, and strong currents.