Located along Sydney’s long stretching coastline and in its beautiful bays are so many beautiful beaches including world-renowned surf beaches, swimming beaches, secluded natural sites, and epic scenic spots.
Most of the beaches are accessible by public transport, feature great amenities, and for some time now thanks to ongoing efforts, are well-kept, clean, and with clear water.
Before heading to the beach, check Beachsafe for the latest updates and be aware of bluebottles, rips, and sharks.
We’ll start the list with the seven most popular beaches in Sydney, notable surf beaches, and family-friendly picks, then, a complete list from Palm Beach in the north all the way south to Cronulla.
The all-around most famous and most popular beaches in Sydney are Bondi, Manly, Coogee, South Cronulla, Palm Beach, Balmoral and Queenscliff.
The most popular beaches for surfers are Manly, North Narrabeen, Cronulla, Bondi, and Maroubra with others noted in the tables below.
The most popular beaches with calmer waters and amenities for families are Coogee Beach, Little Bay Beach, Shelly Beach, Parsley Bay Reserve (Woollahra), Chinamans Beach, and Clontarf Reserve (Clontarf).
Complete list – Sydney Beaches by area
Amenities: 1. parking 2. showers 3. change rooms 4. toilets 5. pool 6. public transport 7. shade 8. park 9. boat ramp
Northern Beaches
North of Sydney Harbour
| Beach | Google Maps | Notes | Surf | Amenities | Swimming & Surf Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon | map | 500 m long southeast-facing beach | yes | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Beachsafe Report |
| Bilgola | map | 500m long, faces southeast | yes | 123467 | Beachsafe Report |
| Bungan | map | 600m long running south-southeast | yes | 1246 | Beachsafe Report |
| Collaroy | map | 3.6 km long beach with a rockpool at Narrabeen | yes | 6 | Beachsafe Report |
| North & South Curl Curl | map | 1.2 km beach faces southeast with rockpools at either end | yes | 123456 | Beachsafe Report |
| Dee Why | map | 800m long beach | yes | 12458 | Beachsafe Report |
| Fairy Bower | map | Very small beach with a rockpool | 56 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Fishermans | map | 500 m long beach | yes | 146 | Beachsafe Report |
| Freshwater | map | 350m long, the beach where surfboard riding in Australia first began | yes | 1234568 | Beachsafe Report |
| Long Reef | map | 1km long beach facing south-southeast | 1234678 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Manly | map | World-renowned beach, with a full range of amenities | yes | 123456789 | Beachsafe Report |
| Mona Vale | map | 1km long beach with rockpool at the northern end | 12345678 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Narrabeen | map | 1km long world-famous surf beach | yes | 1234678 | Beachsafe Report |
| Newport | map | 1.3km long beach | 12368 | Beachsafe Report | |
| North Steyne | map | Joins the northern end of Manly Beach and the southern end of Queenscliff beach | 123467 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Palm Beach | map | Sydney’s most northerly beach, 2.3km in length and east-facing | 1234568 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Queenscliff | map | At its southern end, joins North Steyne Beach and in turn Manly Beach | 12345678 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Shelly Beach (Manly) | map | 100 m long beach popular with divers | 16 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Turimetta | map | 350m long beach, unpatrolled, popular with photographers | 168 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Warriewood | map | 500m long beach, scenic, usually quiet | 1246 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Whale Beach | map | 600m long beach | yes | 1234568 | Beachsafe Report |
Beaches in Port Jackson & Sydney Harbour
Amenities: 1. parking 2. showers 3. change rooms 4. toilets 5. pool 6. public transport 7. shade 8. park 9. boat ramp
| Beach | Google Maps | Notes | Surf | Amenities | Swimming & Surf Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athol Bay Beach | map | Around 400m long, sectioned by rocky outcrops and boat jetties, offers views of Sydney Harbour Bridge in the distance | 1,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Balmoral Beach | map | Popular 860m long east-northeast facing beach | yes | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report |
| Camp Cove | map | 250 m wide northwest-facing beach | 1,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Castle Rock | map | Very small, secluded beach with more following the walking trail west | 8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Clifton Gardens | map | Also known as Chowder Bay Beach | 1,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Chinamans Beach | map | 220m long beach backed by a park, busy on weekends | 1,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Clontarf | map | Calm waters and park, nearby another option is Sandy Beach | 1,4,7,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Cobblers Beach | map | secluded nudist beach | 1,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Collins Beach | map | Pretty beach that is secluded and backed by a large nature reserve | 1,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Double Bay Beach | map | small beach with boat jetty | Beachsafe Report | ||
| Edwards Beach | map | Pretty 400m long beach that joins Balmoral Beach at its southern end. Busy on weekends | 1,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Lady Martins Beach | map | Small secluded beach completely backed by private houses with a small lane giving access | Beachsafe Report | ||
| Little Manly Beach | map | Small but popular beach, if its busy, head to nearby Collins Beach | 1,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Milk Beach | map | Small secluded beach with harbour and bridge views. Backed by Strickland House heritage site and park, There are three smaller beaches to the south | 1,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| North Head Quarantine Station Beach | map | Its name comes from the old Quarantine Station heritage site that it fronts. | Beachsafe Report | ||
| Obelisk Beach | map | Quiet nudist beach | Beachsafe Report | ||
| Seven Shillings Beach | map | Quiet beach with cafe and park on Sydney Harbour | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Reef Beach | map | Secluded beach accessed only by 500m walk through the nature reserve | Beachsafe Report | ||
| Shark Beach | map | (Reopens April 2023) Popular with families. Nearby is the heritage site, Greycliffe House, and lookouts across the harbour plus walking trails through Nielsen Park. | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Washaway Beach | map | Secluded natural beach | Beachsafe Report |
Southern Beaches
South of Sydney Harbour
Amenities: 1. parking 2. showers 3. change rooms 4. toilets 5. pool 6. public transport 7. shade 8. park 9. boat ramp
| Beach | Google Maps | Notes | Surf | Amenities | Swimming & Surf Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bondi | map | The most popular beach in Sydney, and can get crowded on weekends and holidays. 800 m long south-facing beach also features a popular 2 hr coastal walking trail. | yes | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 | Beachsafe Report |
| Bronte | map | A small but scenic 250m long beach that fronts the large Bronte Park featuring playground, baths, landscaped areas, and surf club | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Clovelly | map | Small beach wave-free beach, popular with swimmers and scuba divers | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Coogee | map | Popular 400m long beach with few waves also offering scenic views from the headland | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Cronulla | map | Also called South Cronulla Beach, it’s a 300m beach that can get busy, to the north is the long stretching North Cronulla, Elouera, Wanda, Greenhills, and Boat Harbour Beaches. | yes | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 | Beachsafe Report |
| North Cronulla | map | 400 m long section of beach with bike paths, lookout, and shaded areas. Joins Elouera beach at its northern end. | yes | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 | Beachsafe Report |
| Elouera | map | 400 m long section of beach joining Wanda Beach at its northern end. | yes | 1,2,3,4 | Beachsafe Report |
| Gordons Bay | map | Small beach with few waves | 1 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Greenhills | map | 3.5km section of beach that is extended by Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla beaches to its south. Backed by a large state park, it is quite peaceful and undeveloped. | 8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Little Bay | map | A small sheltered beach popular for swimming and snorkelling | 1,3,4 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Malabar | map | small 150m long beach | 1,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Maroubra | map | Popular 1km long beach with two surf clubs and backed by the large Arthur Byrne Reserve featuring picnic and BBQ areas | yes | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report |
| Shelly Beach (Cronulla) | map | Mostly rock coastline with small sandy area with rock pool and park area | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Tamarama | map | 80m long but deep beach backed by a small park. Nearby to the south is Bronte Beach and 1km north is Bondi Beach | 1,2,3,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Wanda | map | 1500m section of beach in Cronulla that joins Elouera Beach at its southern end and Greenhills Beach at its northern end | 1,2,3,4 | Beachsafe Report |
Beaches in Botany Bay
| Beach | Google Maps | Notes | Surf | Amenities | Swimming & Surf Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Beach | map | Also known as Cooks River Beach. Popular place for plane spotting | |||
| Bumbora Rock (Yarra Bay) | map | Small beach section located at the northwestern end of Yarra Bay | 1 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Congwong Beach | map | Near the La Perouse Heritage area and backed by a large nature reserve. Split in two sections by a rocky headland. | Beachsafe Report | ||
| Foreshore Beach | map | fishing spot, dog walking, plane watching | 1,9 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Frenchmans Bay | map | 3-400m long beach in the Le Perouse heritage area. Small waves if any, peaceful but busy on weekends | 1,2,3,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Kyeemagh Beach | map | Small section of beach that fronts Cooks Park and joins northern end of Lady Robinson Beach | 1,2,3,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Lady Robinsons Beach | map | Long stretching beach that includes Brighton Beach, Ramsgate beach and Dolls Point Beach. Popular for watersports. | 1,2,3,4,6,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Little Congwong Beach | map | Natural and undeveloped beach fronting the La Perouse park and heritage area | Beachsafe Report | ||
| Silver Beach | map | 3km north-facing beach that runs from Captain Cooks landing point to Bonna Point and the small Kurnell Beach | 1,5,8 | Beachsafe Report | |
| Yarra Bay Beach | map | 650m long beach with calm waters | 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 | Beachsafe Report |