Beaches in Sydney

Sydney’s two types of beach (harbour and Ocean) are some of its greatest assets. They’re hugely popular on warm weekends but Sydneysiders also swim before or after (or instead of) going to work. The beaches are easily accessible and usually good, although some post warnings that swimming is inadvisable after heavy rains because of stormwater run-off.

Swimming is generally safe, but at the ocean beaches you’re only allowed to swim within the ‘flagged’ areas patrolled by the famed surf life-savers. Efforts are made to keep surfers separate from swimmers.

Shark patrols operate during the summer, and ocean beaches are generally netted. Many of Sydney’s beaches are ‘topless’, but check to see what the locals are doing first. There are also a couple of nude beaches.

Harbour Beaches - South

Lady Bay Beach There are great views of the harbour for the nudists who frequent this little beach.

Camp Cove Near Lady Bay, this is a quiet family-friendly beach.

Shark Beach Despite the name, this beach is perfectly safe, as it’s been netted. It’s popular for picnics and family groups.

Harbour Beaches - North

Manly Cove A good suburban beach, with netting.

Reef Beach On the Scenic Walkway, this beach is not nudist, despite what you may have heard.

Clontarf Another popular and pretty beach for families.

Chinaman’s Beach Gorgeous, peaceful and serene.

Balmoral Lovely, but the crowds can be a little too much.

Ocean Beaches - South

Bondi Beach Maybe not the biggest, nor the best, but there’s something about Bondi that keeps thousands flocking here on a hot day.

Tamarama Also known as ‘Glamarama’. Popular with models and the generically gorgeous. Watch out for the infamously strong rips here.

Bronte A fantastic beach, with lots of room for picnics and a good stretch of nearby cafes.

Clovelly Safe for swimming and a great spot for snorkelling.

Maroubra A large beach with good surf breaks, although the locals can be fierce about out-of towners dropping in on their waves.

Ocean Beaches - North

Freshwater This is a nice beach, not too rough, and popular with local teenagers.

Curl Curl A well-balanced mix of family groups and surfers make this a quintessential Aussie beach.

Dee Why Big and popular with local families.

Collaroy The beach here is a good spot to unwind, with a relaxed atmosphere.

Narrabeen This is surfing turf, so if you want to learn, it might be best to wait before trying the breaks here.

Bilgola For some reason this beach seems like a bit of a secret for everyone except locals. Lovely.

Avalon Beach A big beach with good surf. Local residents told the producers of Baywatch (who wanted to film here) to shove it. Ten points.

Whale Beach Heavenly and remote, this gorgeous beach is smack bang in the middle of paradise.

Palm Beach The tip of Sydney and blissful. The fact that many scenes for Home and Away are filmed here doesn’t detract from its astounding beaut.