Sydney’s Best Beaches: The Ultimate List

The Best Of series highlights the best of a destination or travel related product.

Australia is blessed with over 35,000 km of incredible coastline, most of which is fringed with some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. And a whole bunch of those beaches just so happen to be in Sydney.

From about October to March, when the weather is warm and the skies are blue, Sydneysiders and visitors flock to Sydney’s best beaches to cool down and soak up some sun.

There are literally hundreds of beaches along Sydney’s coast and harbour it can be difficult to pick just one if you are visiting for a short time.

So to help you pick which Sydney beach is best for you, I’ve put together this ultimate list of Sydney’s best beaches.

North of the Harbour

Avalon Beach

Why Visit: Some of the best waves in Sydney.

Where: Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon

Getting There: Take the L90 or E89 buses from the CBD.

Balmoral Beach

Why Visit: This harbour beach has got it all, rock pools, netted swimming baths, a long stretch of sand, shady picnic area and restaurants close by.

Where: The Esplanade, Balmoral

Getting There: Take the 245 bus from the CBD, the 257 bus from Chatswood, the 649 bus from Neutral Bay, the 788 bus from Milsons Point or the 781 bus from Warringah Mall.

Manly Beach

Why Visit: Along with Bondi, Manly is a icon of Sydney and is not to be missed. It’s a beautiful long stretch of sand with lots of space for everyone.

Where: North & South Steyne, Manly

Getting There: Take the ferry from Circular Quay and walk the few hundred metre along the Corso or take 136 or 144 buses from Chatswood, the 788 bus from Avalon or the 171, E71 and E70 buses from the CBD.

Narrabeen Beach

Why Visit: Popular with locals and international surfing stars, Narrabeen is one of the best surf breaks in the world.

Where: Ocean St, Narrabeen

Getting There: Take the 155 bus from Manly or the L90 or 185 buses from the CBD.

Newport Beach

Why Visit: Catch waves with the locals or do laps in the Northern Beaches iconic platform saltwater lap pool.

Where: Barrenjoey Rd, Newport

Getting There: Take the L90 or E87 buses from the CBD or the L87 bus from Milsons Point.

Palm Beach

Why Visit: Live out your Summer Bay (Home & Away) fantasies on this long stretch of sand and pumping surf in the furthest flung reaches of northern Sydney.

Where: Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach

Getting There: Take the L90 bus from the CBD.

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Shelley Beach

Why Visit: Snorkeling and diving is what makes this sheltered Manly beach so popular.

Where: Marine Pde, Manly

Getting There: No buses come near Shelley, but it’s just an easy 15 minute walk from Manly Beach and the Corso.

South Curl Curl Beach

Why Visit: Similar to Avalon, South Curl Curl is famous for it’s pumping surf but it also caters for little ones with rock pools at the southern end of the beach.

Where: Carrington Pde, Curl Curl

Getting There: Take the 136 bus from Chatswood or the 139 bus from Manly.

Whale Beach

Why Visit: The smaller sister beach of Palm Beach, Whale Beach is chilled and secluded.

Where: The Strand, Whale Beach

Getting There: Take the 793 bus from Avalon.

South of the Harbour

Bondi Beach

Why Visit: Simple, it’s an icon!

Where: Queens Elizabeth Dr, Bondi

Getting There: Take the 333 or 380 buses from the CBD or a train to Bondi Junction and the X84 or 381 buses from there.

Bronte Beach

Why Visit: Popular with locals for its surf, ocean lap pool and rock pools.

Where: Bronte Rd. Bronte

Getting There: Take the 360 or 361 buses from Bondi Junction or the 440 bus from Rozelle.

Clovelly Beach

Why Visit: Small, quiet beach popular with families and those who prefer calmer water.

Where: Clovelly Rd, Clovelly

Getting There: Take the 360 bus from Bondi Junction or the 339 bus from the CBD.

Congwong Beach

Why Visit: It’s one of the few clothing optional beaches in Sydney.

Where: Anzac Pde, La Perouse

Getting There:  Take the L94 or 394 bus from the CBD or the 291 bus from Railway Square.

Coogee Beach

Why Visit: Bondi’s quieter and prettier little sister. Not only is the beach great but the cafe’s and restaurant’s nearby are starting to make a name for themselves as being some of the best in the Eastern Suburbs.

Where: Arden St, Coogee

Getting There: Take the 372 bus from Railway Square, the 353 or 314 buses from Bondi Junction, the 373 bus from the CBD, the M50 bus from Drummoyne or the 370 bus from Leichhard and Newtown.

Cronulla Beach

Why Visit: A series of beaches in Sydney’s southern suburbs, Cronulla is far enough away to be a locals only kinda area. But don’t be fooled, it still get’s packed with those beach loving locals (me included) when the weather heats up.

Where: Mitchell Rd, Cronulla

Getting There: Take the T4 train line from the CBD. Cronulla is the only beach in Sydney accessible by train.

Garie Beach

Why Visit: Wild and untamed, this Royal National Park stunner gets packed before 9am on a hot day so get there super early.

Where: Garie Rd, the Royal National Park

Getting There: Not accessible by public transport so your own vehicle is necessary to enjoy this beach.

Tamarama Beach

Why Visit: Bondi’s smaller and quieter nearby neighbour. Popular with those wanting to have a picnic on the grassy hill that leads down to the sand.

Where: Pacific Ave. Tamarama

Getting There: Take the 361 bus from Bondi Junction.

Watsons Bay

Why Visit: Spectacular views of the harbour and city skyline paired with top notch fish ‘n’ chips right on the harbour edge make this one of the best inner harbour beaches.

Where: Marine Pde, Watsons Bay

Getting There: Take the ferry from Manly or Circular Quay or the 324 or 325 buses from the CBD.

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Be Inspired: The 16 Best NSW South Coast Beaches

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Over to you!

Have you been to any of these Sydney beaches? Which is your favourite? If you haven’t been yet which one would you like to visit the most?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.