The popular Jervis Bay tourist destination has been looking a little ... well, different.

Jervis Bay resident Jayde Clark was shocked to find the beach's white sands covered by a thick blanket of red seaweed on Monday.

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"I was extremely shocked, me and my partner had never seen anything like it," she told the South Coast Register.

"The seaweed was still in the water for about 10 to15 metres out."

Jayde reported the seaweed brought a mild stench with it and said it was covered in "thousands of maggots".

Dr Trudy Costa from the University of Wollongong's School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences said while she can't confirm the type of algae covering from the video, she explained seaweed washed up from severe weather is called "wrack".

"It most likely washed up as a result of the recent weather and storms - this is called 'wrack.'" said Dr Costa.

"There could be maggots within it as there are many tiny organisms that live within the algae that then die when it is washed up on the shore.

"Other things that may be there are amphipods which are tiny crustaceans, a bit like shrimp, that are also called sandhoppers."

"Wrack can be smelly if it sits there for a while but it is really important ecologically.

"As it breaks down, it delivers nutrients and food to the organisms that live in the sand underneath - this is their main source of food. "

South Coast beaches are looking a little worse for wear as the major storm event continues to batter the region.

The associated high tides and storm surge have exposed beaches to severe inundation and erosion.

Severe weather has resulted in Shoalhaven's coastline experiencing extreme surf conditions, with some waves measuring in excess of 6 metres.

Shoalhaven City Council has advised residents that these conditions have impacted beach water quality and to avoid swimming, surfing and beach fishing between Crookhaven Lighthouse in the north, and Bull Hole Lookout in the south at Kinghorne.

Council staff will begin inspecting high-risk beaches this week to determine emergency response actions.