Latest NewsThe Ten best beaches in SydneyFriday, 28 May 2021

Sydney beaches have become as iconic as the sails of the Sydney Opera House or the arch of the Harbour Bridge, and if you’re wanting to know what the best beaches in Sydney are, you’ve come to the right place. From family friendly stretches to rugged coastlines to secluded coves, there are plenty of sandy stretches to choose from.

What are the best beaches in Sydney?

Although everyone has their own favourites, renowned Travel guru Chanti Redan has come up with the ultimate list of the 10 best beaches in Sydney for tranquility, surfing, family fun, snorkelling or even nudie swims.

[]  Bondi Beach
[]  Tamarama Beach
[]  Shelly Beach
[]  Little Manly Beach
[]  Dee Why Beach
[]  Bronte Beach
[]  Maroubra Beach
[]  Obelisk Beach
[]  Coogee Beach
[]  Clovelly Beach

1. Bondi Beach

How can we talk about Sydney’s best beaches without a nod to the most iconic of the lot? Bondi is busy, beautiful and filled with beachcombers of all types.

You can easily spend an entire day swimming in the sea, surfing, getting some vitamin D, and ducking in and out of the boutique shops and hip cafes and bars that line the promenade.

If you’ve never been before, you can also binge watch the once-popular TV show Bondi Rescue before your arrival and try to spot your favorite lifeguards while you’re there. This is the place to be for solo travellers, fitness buffs and even families thanks to the enclosed sea pool.

Best Sydney beach for: a little of everything

2. Tamarama Beach

Tamarama Beach is a prime spot for getting away from the mega-crowds of Bondi while still staying close to all the city’s action—something that’s well-advised in today’s world.

Here, you can throw a towel down on the light tan sand, go for a swim and surf the popular left-hand reef break. It has a truly local feel to it, attracting Sydney’s residents instead of solely backpackers and tourists like many of the city’s other beaches.

With its conveniently located food stand, Tamarama Beach also makes for a great stop on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, a trail that takes you past a host of Sydney beaches.

Best Sydney beach for: getting away from the crowds

3. Shelly Beach (Manly)

Shelly Beach is secluded, quaint and one of the go-to getaway Sydney beaches for beachcombers craving some relaxation without any hassle.

This is an official Marine Park and one of the best places to snorkel and scuba dive in Sydney, thanks to its clear, flat water and easy shore-to-sea accessibility. Divers often spot the site’s sunken motorcycle, weedy sea dragons, cuttlefish and even dusky whaler sharks.

There are public toilets, free barbecues, a children’s park, showers and a kiosk to foster a picnic atmosphere, too.

Best Sydney beach for: snorkelling

4. Little Manly Beach

Little Manly Beach in Sydney Harbour is an ideal hangout for families with kids of all ages. The water is calm, clean, and there are plenty of grass areas to roam around.

When the little ones are done splashing and swimming, they can head over to the playground areas for even more active excitement. If you’re feeling hungry, there is the Little Manly Beach Kiosk to pick up some refreshments.

Get there by catching the Manly Ferry, a boat ride that takes you through the Sydney Harbour. Of all the Sydney beaches, we have to say, this one forces you to make a spectacular entrance.

Best Sydney beach for: kids

5. Dee Why Beach

No matter if you’re based on the North end of Sydney or just looking to go somewhere new, Dee Why is an incredible beach. It’s ideal for families and those in search of a relaxed atmosphere, because of its long stretch of sand that’s bordered by tranquil waters.

And since the beach is so large, there is almost always a secluded spot to throw down a towel away from everyone else.

With two swimming pools, a colourful playground, toilets, showers and a string of nearby cafes, what more could you ask for? One of the best Sydney beaches, especially if you’ve got little ones.

Best Sydney beach for: families

6. Bronte Beach

Bronte Beach is a crowd pleaser for all types of beach bums. There’s a challenging surf break for more experienced surfers, a lap pool for swimmers and a natural rock pool for children to splash around in.

Of course, all of this is easily accessed by a pristine beach that typically doesn’t draw as big of a crowd as its more popular neighbors like Bondi or Coogee. If you’re with group of people with mixed interests, there’s no better place to go than Bronte Beach.

Best Sydney beach for: water activities

7. Maroubra Beach

Take a surf lesson, rent a board or paddle out with your own surfboard at Maroubra Beach, one of Sydney’s best surfing beaches.

It’s a long stretch of shore that is rarely crowded and has a vibe that might have you feeling that you’ve left Sydney altogether. When the surf is up, be sure to swim only between the flags as the currents can get heavy.

In terms of how it ranks among Sydney beaches, many coastal walkers also cite this stretch as being a favorite. The beach has nearby eateries as well as a playground, free parking and toilet facilities.

Best Sydney beach for: surfing

8. Obelisk Beach

Love a bit of that Natural feeling ? This Sydney beach has a bit of a cheeky reputation.

There’s no need to feel inhibited at Obelisk Beach, a beach where clothing is optional. It’s located on the southern side of Middle Head and is a prime spot for snorkelling, paddling, swimming and, of course, getting an all-over tan.

The water is flat and there are a few shady trails nearby to explore when you need some respite from the sun.

Best Sydney beach for: nudists and naturists

9. Coogee Beach

Hip and filled with those donning the latest trends in swimwear, Coogee Beach is only second to Bondi when it comes to famous Sydney beaches.

This gorgeous and spacious stretch comes complete with calm water, an ocean pool, a women’s only pool and tens of nearby cafes and boutique shops.

It’s easily accessed by public transportation and is often the beautiful beginning or end point for those going on a coastal walk. There are toilets, showers, a grass hill and a playground area for kids nearby.

Best Sydney beach: for coastal walks and cafes

10. Clovelly Beach

Clovelly is different from typical Sydney beaches, because one of its main appeals is not the light tan sand luring its visitors close, but rather the large promenades on either side of the water that you can sunbathe on.

It’s intimate, small and you can easily spend a few hours rotating from the sun to the sea, especially since there is so much sunbathing real estate right by the water. Pack a snorkel too, the cove is known for hosting all types of sea life like gropers, octopodes, rays and more.

Best Sydney beach for: spotting marine life