From iconic beaches like Manly and Bondi to hidden harbour beaches like Forty Baskets and Milk Beach, Sydney has some of the very best beaches in the world.
And with so much variety, you could visit a different Sydney beach every day of summer and you’d still have more to explore.
So where to begin?
This guide introduces some of the best beaches Sydney has to offer. Whether you’re planning to swim, surf, or lounge on the sand, you’ll love these Sydney beaches.
Grab your towel and sunscreen and get ready to find a new favourite beach!
Curl Curl
You’ll find Curl Curl between Freshwater and Dee Why on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
A favourite spot for locals, and renowned as one of Sydney’s best surfing beaches. But it’s not just for surfers, the rock pools make for great oceanside swimming spots too.
While it’s a little further afield if you’re planning to visit from central Sydney, it’s worth the trip.
Manly
Manly Beach is one of Sydney’s most popular beaches. Make a day of your trip to Manly Beach by taking the ferry across the harbour from Circular Quay.
You’ll find Manly Beach located at the end of The Corso, where the beachside promenade is lined by Norfolk Pines.
There’s plenty of places to grab a bite to eat in Manly, whether you want take away to enjoy on the beach or to dine with a view of the beach.
Shelly
Between Manly Beach and North Head you’ll find Shelly Beach tucked away in a protected cove.
Shelly Beach is a great place to enjoy a swim. Thanks to its location alongside Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve, Shelly Beach is also a popular spot for snorkelling.
Fun fact about Shelly Beach? It’s the only west-facing beach on the Australian East Coast!
Forty Baskets
Forty Baskets Beach is located in Balgowlah, just along from Dobroyd Head on the Spit to Manly Walk.
It’s a small but very scenic beach with a tidal pool and places to sit on the sand or grass alongside the harbour. It’s relatively hidden location means it’s often less busy than many of Sydney’s beaches.
Balmoral
Balmoral is a popular spot and it’s not hard to see why.
There’s plenty to do at Balmoral: walk along the wide paved promenade, dine in one of the waterfront restaurants, picnic in a shaded spot on the grass, enjoy the sun and the sand, let the kids play on the playground, take in the view from Rocky Point Island, and swim in the calm harbour bay.
If it’s surfing you’re after, you’ll want to look elsewhere, but for everything else, this beach delivers.
Milk Beach
Ever wanted to swim in Sydney Harbour while enjoying views of the Sydney Harbour Beach and city skyline? Milk Beach is for you.
Tucked away on the harbour’s edge at Vaucluse, this beach is an eastern suburbs favourite. Milk Beach is located near Strickland Estate on the popular Hermitage Foreshore Walk.
As a harbour beach, Milk Beach isn’t the place to bring your surfboard, but it is a lovely spot to enjoy the sunshine and a swim.
Camp Cove
With its colourful kiosk and protected sandy waterfront, Camp Cove is a great place to enjoy a swim.
You’ll find Camp Cove between Watsons Bay wharf and South Head in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Bondi
The iconic Bondi Beach. Home to the oldest surf life saving club in the world. Bondi is one of Australia’s most popular beaches which means this pretty stretch of sand does get incredibly busy, especially during summer.
Whether you’re there to enjoy a swim, surf, or to lounge about on the sand, Bondi Beach is a fantastic place to enjoy the Sydney sun
You can get the bus direct from the city to the beach, or take the train to Bondi Junction and a bus for the final stretch of the journey. And there’s plenty of places to eat and drink from Icebergs at the southern end of the beach to North Bondi RSL at the northern end.
If you’re up for a walk with incredible views, head to the south end of Bondi. Here you’ll find the Bondi to Coogee walk, a 6km coastal track that passes Tamarama, Bronte, and Clovelly before arriving at Coogee.
And if you want to experience this iconic beach, minus the heaving crowds, get up early and greet the dawn. Seeing the sunrise at Bondi Beach makes for a great way to start the day.
Coogee
Want a more lowkey experience than busy Bondi can offer? Make your way around the coastline to Coogee.
Coogee Beach is home to Wylie’s Baths, a beachside tidal pool that dates back to 1907. And a great place to enjoy a swim.
Coogee Beach is also one end of the Bondi to Coogee walk, which makes for a great place to enjoy a scenic walk during your trip to Coogee.
If you’re after a place to eat, drink, and enjoy the view, it’s hard to beat the rooftop at Coogee Pavillion
Garie Beach
Garie Beach is located on the coastline in Royal National Park. You can walk in on The Coast Track from Bundeena, or there’s a car park accessible via Garie Road off Sir Bertram Stevens Drive.
The relative seclusion of this beach means its often quiet, but take care when swimming, this beach is not always patrolled.
Due to its location within the national park, there are limited facilities and amenities. While you will find toilets and showers, there’s not a lot else.
A small kiosk sometimes operates, but it’s best to bring what you need when it comes to food and water, and let it be a nice bonus if the kiosk is open to enjoy something extra!
Sydney’s Nude Beaches
Sydney has several beaches where nudity is legally permitted. Whether you’re keen to enjoy them or avoid them, these are Sydney’s nude beaches:
- Cobblers Beach, Mosman
- Obelisk Beach, Mosman
- Lady Bay Beach, Watsons Bay
- Werrong Beach, Otford
- Little Congwong Beach, La Perouse (not officially designated, but commonly recognised as a nude beach)
