Beaches

Six beaches, one short walk

From rolling surf on the ocean side to the glassy harbour coves around the back, Manly's coastline packs more variety into one kilometre than anywhere else in Sydney.

Surf-side

Ocean Beach, Queenscliff and North Steyne. Consistent breaks, patrolled daily during summer.

Snorkel reserve

Cabbage Tree Bay protects 20 hectares of reef. No fishing, lots of fish.

Always swim safely

Flagged areas are patrolled Sept–April. Rips happen — when in doubt, ask a lifeguard.

Every beach in Manly

From famous to flat-out secret. Pick your patch of sand.

Surf · Sunbathing · People-watching

Manly Beach (Ocean Beach)

The big one. A 1.5 km arc of golden sand fronting the Pacific, lined with Norfolk pines and the buzz of the Corso. Three patrolled sections (North Steyne, Queenscliff, South Steyne) with consistent beach breaks. The birthplace of Australian board-riding — the first surf carnival ran here in 1908 — and still where most locals start the day with a quick dunk before work.

Local tip: Always swim between the red-and-yellow flags. Surf the south end at low tide for the cleanest shape. Manly Surf School runs lessons most mornings if you want to give it a crack.

Manly Surf School

Snorkel · Family swim · Calm water

Shelly Beach

A 10-minute stroll south along the Fairy Bower boardwalk drops you at the only east-facing beach on the entire NSW coast. Sheltered, glassy, and protected as part of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, which means the snorkelling here is genuinely world-class — blue gropers, weedy sea dragons, the occasional cheeky octopus. The Boathouse café sits right on the sand for breakfast after.

Local tip: Pack a mask. The reef on the southern headland holds the best of the marine life. EcoTreasures runs guided snorkel tours if you'd rather have someone point things out.

Guided snorkel tours

Rock pool · Photo spot · Quiet swim

Fairy Bower Beach

A pocket of sand tucked between Manly and Shelly, anchored by an Art Deco ocean pool that's free to swim in. Famous for Helen Leete's bronze 'Oceanides' sculpture rising out of the water and the spectacular spray when a south swell hits. Locals come down at sunrise, then again for coffee at Bower Restaurant directly above.

Local tip: Best at high tide for a proper pool swim. Coffee at Bower Restaurant after, naturally.

Bower Restaurant

Hidden cove · Harbour swim · Picnic

Forty Baskets Beach

A harbourside secret on the Manly Scenic Walkway, named for the basket-load of fish caught here in the 1880s for British soldiers stationed at Middle Head. Calm, almost-private water with a postcard view back across to Manly Cove. Pack a picnic — there's nothing here but a tap, a tree and a small netted swimming enclosure.

Local tip: Easiest access is via Reef Beach from Balgowlah Heights. Allow about 25 minutes on foot from the bus stop.

Walking track notes

Boat-access only · Wild · Penguin colony

Store Beach

Tucked inside North Head and only reachable by kayak or small boat. No road, no path, no shops, no problem. White sand, no crowds, and one of the last little penguin colonies on mainland Sydney nests in the dunes (the beach is closed dusk to dawn during breeding season, July–February).

Local tip: Hire a kayak from Manly Kayak Centre on West Esplanade. About a 25-minute paddle each way. Take a picnic, take your rubbish.

Manly Kayak Centre

Toddler-safe · Netted swim · Local secret

Little Manly Cove

Five minutes' walk from the ferry on the harbour side. Shark-netted, shallow, and almost always calm. This is the beach Manly parents quietly send the rest of us to when the surf is up. Grassy reserve, BBQs, and the lovely little Stuart Street kiosk for an arvo ice cream.

Local tip: Park free on Stuart Street. Pair it with a walk out to Collins Flat and back — 15 minutes each way through bushland.

Council info

From visitors

Recent beach reviews

We brought the kids to Shelly every morning for a week. Calm, snorkel-friendly, café right there. Hands-down the best family beach in Sydney.

Kate M., visited Feb 2026

Sunrise at Fairy Bower with the rock pool to ourselves and the bronze sculpture catching the first light — it doesn't really get better.

Tom R., visited Oct 2025

Paddled out to Store Beach with a picnic. Saw zero other people. Felt illegal — it isn't.

Sofia B., visited Dec 2025

Make a day of it. Walk between every single one.

The Manly Scenic Walkway threads almost all of these beaches together. Pack swimmers, a towel, and decent shoes. You'll thank yourself later.

See the walks guide