A guide to Sydney beaches!

A visit to Sydney is simply not complete without a trip to the beach, but with so many iconic beaches how do you know which one to visit?

Sydney’s beaches each have their own unique charm and it can be hard to decide which to head to, so we’re taking out the guess work, and providing you with the all the best bits.

• Bondi Beach

  It’s Australia’s most famous beach, and it doesn’t matter what time of day you’re there, it’s always buzzing with life. The days start early, with fantastic surf waves enticing locals to get in the water, while joggers run across the damp sand. As the sun rises, the shore fills with towels and umbrellas as locals and tourists begin to settle in for the day. There are plenty of accredited surfing schools for those looking to learn and an abundance of cafes lining the foreshore to keep you hydrated and full throughout the day.

  Rocketed to fame when they became the stars of the Australian television show Bondi Rescue in 2006, the Bondi Rescue Lifeguards have become local celebrities. You can see the team in blue in action between the red and yellow flags, operating from the Bondi Beach Lifeguard Tower.

• Manly Beach

  Home to the first world surfing championship, Manly Beach has etched its name in Australia’s surfing history. Getting to Manly is easy with ferries heading there from Circular Quay regularly throughout the day. The beach’s iconic curve provides ample space to relax across the sand while friends or family take a surfing lesson. Grab some fish and chips and enjoy the relaxed surfer lifestyle with lunch or dinner on the beach as the sunsets across the horizon. Manly provides fantastic snorkelling and diving adventures with spectacular reefs located just off the main beach.

• Don’t stress if you forget your bathers, join a bike tour and cycle your way around the Manly Peninsula. With over 20kms of bike tracks to explore, Manly is best seen on two wheels! Don’t forget to visit the Manly Corso, a buzzing pedestrian mall that is sure to delight. Buskers perform throughout the day, many of them young musicians hoping to kick off their career. Enjoy their musical talents as you peruse the more than 200 stores the mall.

• Northern Beaches

  The Northern Beaches run from Manly to Palm Beach. Along the way you’ll discover a treasure of small, less crowded surfing beaches. For a beach rich in marine life and free from large crowds, give Shelly Beach a try. Part of a protected marine bay, the beach is popular with snorkellers and scuba divers due to the large array of marine life on display in relatively shallow waters. The beach also provides a great starting point for many bush walks leading to stunning views of North Head. Fans of the Australian soap drama Home and Away won’t want to miss a trip Palm Beach. See some of the iconic filming locations, and if you’re lucky catch a glimpse of the show being filmed! Afterwards, take a hike up Barrenjoey head to see the beach from above or dine at the Boat House and indulge in delicious local produce.

No matter which beach in Sydney you choose you can guarantee you’ll have beautiful views and plenty of space to relax on the sand!

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