Sydney is home to over 100 beaches. It’s hard to believe such a major city can make such a claim, but the coast line weaves in and out to such an extent that you are never too far away from a stretch of pristine sand. Many of the best beaches in Sydney are just a stone’s throw away from its liveliest urban areas.
Two of the most famous – Bondi and Manly – are popular places to live and attract a large number of expats who have never before experienced the possibility of a daily dip in the sea. Others are small alcoves set along unbelievably gorgeous coastline. In fact, taking a walk along the Manly coastal path, you would be forgiven for thinking you’re hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest city.
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These are my top picks of the best beaches in Sydney:
MANLY
Before I’d even had a chance to see much of Sydney, I found myself a flat share in Manly. I’d unwittingly struck gold. Having spent some time exploring, it’s still my favourite beach. It’s big and beautiful, great for surfing and close to many bustling shops and bars.
PALM BEACH
I haven’t actually made it up to Palm Beach yet, but it’s definitely on my list. Situated 41 km north of Sydney, it’s the northernmost beach of Sydney’s so-called Northern Beaches. You may know it better as ‘Summer Bay’ – the setting for one of Australia’s best-known soaps, Home and Away. Thanks to Toni from Reclaiming my Future for lending me the image below:
BONDI
If your reason for visiting the beach is to claim a patch of soft sand and soak up the sun, then look no further than Bondi. This beach is so deep there is plenty of space, even on a busy day. Bondi doesn’t have quite the same remote appeal as some of the Northern Beaches, but it certainly provides plenty of entertainment.
SHELLY BEACH
Just around the corner from Manly is Shelly Beach. Sheltered from the unrelenting Pacific waves, Shelly is known as one of the best places in Sydney to go snorkelling and diving. While most of the larger beaches in the city have a swimming pool next to them, this is one of my favourites.
DEE WHY
Dee Why is sufficiently far north to escape the tourist crowds that flock to the Northern Beaches on the Manly ferry, but still very accessible by bus. It has a great swimming pool and a beautiful natural rocky area to the right hand side. You can also enjoy lunch in one of the beachside restaurants.
COOGEE
Coogee got its name from the Aboriginal word koojah, which is a reference to the smell of drying seaweed. Thankfully, it is removed these days before it has a chance to stink out the beach. Although it has dangerous shore breaks, it’s a popular swimming spot and attracts those in the Eastern suburbs who want to escape from the more well-known Bondi nearby.
CURL CURL
Given the nickname ‘Curly’, Curl Curl is a relatively deserted beach. Because there are no shops or restaurants nearby, people tend to go there much less frequently, which means you will have more space to yourself.
FRESHWATER
Another beach with a nickname, ‘Freshy’ is smaller than some, but still provides plenty of space for lounging in the sun. Make sure you don’t miss this statue of Duke Kahanamoku, a world sprint swimming champion who was touring Australia in 1914. Having originated from Hawaii, he brought surfing down under after fashioning a board from timber and demonstrating his skills to the local press.
MANLY SCENIC WALK
The Manly Scenic Walk is a 10 km stretch of footpath from the Spit to Manly, during which you climb along the cliffside of the peninsular and traverse many remote sandy beaches. There is even an area with old Aboriginal rock carvings in the shapes of fish and kangaroos. It took me 4 months to get around to experiencing this walk and I’m kicking myself for not having done it sooner. Every metre is stunningly beautiful and there are plenty of friendly lizards along the way, including one staring up at my sister in the picture below – if you look closely!
Have you spent any time in Sydney? What’s your favourite beach? Is it a popular surfing hot spot or one of the many tiny hidden alcoves dotted around the coastline?
Hopefully not as hot as Perth! I’ve been paying the price for forgetting sunscreen on my back for over a week now. When in Australia, always wear sunscreen and everywhere!
Given we are from Northern beaches we have to agree :)!
Jason, OMG, I hope you’re ok! Yes, always wear sunscreen. I’m very careful thanks to my ridiculously pale skin, but I did get burnt one day over here because it was cloudy and I thought I’d get away with it.
To Travel Too You lucky things! How were you ever inspired to travel anywhere else?!
First-degree sunburn! As some of have said, I’ve been initiated as a true Aussie now. ;) I couldn’t sleep for three nights. Been wanting to go out and start exploring, but been in too much pain to do so. One reason I opted not to go to the waca this weekend to watch the Ashes.
Great roundup, makes me want to hit the beach right now!
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Thanks! Me too, but it’s 10pm on a Sunday so I’m gonna have to wait!
It is snowing and well bellowing freezing as I read this from NYC right now. I’d like to be soaking up the rays from any one of those beaches right now!
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I bet! But snow at Christmas time in New York sounds very romantic. I’m contemplating putting the air con on! Crazy for December! :)
Wait, there’s a beach called Manly? That’s great. They should set up another beach called Womanly and see what happens.
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There is indeed! Hahaha. And it’s actually named that because when Captain Arthur Phillip saw the indigenous men who used to live here, he thought they had confidence and manly behaviour. I wonder if there is a womanly beach. There’s Isla Mujheres in Mexico. I reckon we should set them up…
I’m surprised with the beach named Manly :). It’s such a cool name! In my opinion, all of these beaches are great, but the one I would like to hit is Curl Curl!! :-D. Now you make me wanna go swimming in the sea!! :D
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Think of the sharks and you won’t be so jealous! When I saw the protective shark nets I freaked out. Just the fact that those nets exist really highlights the fact that you might meet a fin while you’re swimming in the open ocean (although it is really unlikely!)
I pinch myself daily. Live in Queenscliff & work at Shelly Beach so the wonderful stretch of coastline from Freshie to Shelly is a daily walk for me…..Bring on a long hot summer :)
Ah, nice. That is really not a bad commute! Where do you work?! I’m a bit scared of the hot summer. I’m heading to the Northern Territory next week!
i miss australia :(
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I can’t believe there are so many beaches in Florida alone. I think Coogee might be my favourite but I’ve actually been to only a few of them.
You should make it your mission to visit them all. But I guess you’d be there for a while….
Been to Manly beach last year and also tried Kayak, fantastic experience for me and my wife:)
Simon Lee
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I’m glad to hear it! Because I live here I haven’t done nearly enough activities in the area. Kayaking sounds fun!
Good overview of Sydney’s best beaches!
Sydney has the most spectacular coastline of any city I’ve been to – especially compared to my home city of Perth where the it’s more or less just one long, dead-straight beach for over 20km.
It’s so hard to pick a favourite Sydney Beach, but for me it would either be Bronte, Shelly or Palm Beach. I also love the secluded calm beaches in the Kuringai National Park such like The Basin and Resolute Beach.
Thanks! It really is amazing how many beaches there are here. I quite like the really big ones though. I heard there are some gorgeous beaches in Western Australia. I need to get myself to one of those beaches you suggested! Thanks for the recommendations!
Yeah, Perth beaches are nice too, just not quite as spectacular or good for surfing as Sydney’s are!
But north and south of Perth the beaches are absolutely stunning and in general a lot wilder and more natural than the ones on the east coast.
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I have to get myself there! I had the best intentions to take up surfing when I moved here. Four months of living right by the beach and I’ve been in the sea once, and without a board! Oops!
I love when you mention the different Australian names for either food (that was the very post of your’s I read a long time ago now) or places, Arianwen. Manly Beach? I read each one of your excerpts for each beach and kept hoping for Bikini Beach! I know, know…it’s a no brainer. Just a little self-amusement here from the darn bitter cold in much of the U.S. right now. So, this beaches post was a wonderful escape to live vicariously through you, our friend! :)
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Haha. I’ll be sure to let you know if I come across any other interestingly named beaches! I hope it warms up for you soon. Have a fantastic Christmas!
You’ve done well on the beach hopping so far! I saw hardly any (mainly due to having my leg in plaster most of the time I was in Sydney) but did love Manly. We lived on the harbour side and I used to spend a lot of time in one of the little coves there (tiny patch of sand and amazing clear water!).
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I love the little coves around that side. Sometimes you feel like it’s your own private beach!
Nice list. Now I’m thinking the idea to go to Sydney after all was a good one. Hope the weather cooperates in March!
I think there’s nice weather all year round! Certainly compared with the UK! :)
I am not really a beach bumming person for the simple reason that I burn so quickly, however, I love going for walks on the beach or for a dip in the ocean. It must be nice living in a city with all the amnesties you need AND a some lovely beaches around the corner too. Make the most of your time there. :-)
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I burn quickly too. It really ruins beach days doesn’t it?! I send a lot more time in our back yard than on the beach, but I love going for runs along the northern beaches (with lots of sunscreen on of course!)
Love your blog…and I especially like that you reply to every post…impressive …I live on the south coast of NSW and Jervis Bay claims to have the whiitest sand in the world…..trust me..it does…you need your sunglasses on to be there….if your thinking travelling “down south”…let me know….
Wow. That sounds gorgeous. I’d love to see it and I’ll definitely bear it in mind if I have the chance to travel that way. You’ll be the first person I contact! :)