Skip to main content
View cart (0 items)

Autumn is one of the best times to get in and on the water in Manly – and most people don’t realise it. The ocean is still holding onto its summer warmth with sunny days and fewer crowds.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive in, paddle out or simple enjoy Manly at it’s best, Autumn delivers.

Check out our favourite water activities in Manly.

Surfing

Surfing in Manly Beach - Waterside activities
Image Courtesy of Destination NSW

Manly Beach is the birth place of Australian Surfing and a great place to hop on a board and enjoy the famous Manly waves.

If you want to learn to surf, the friendly staff at Manly Surf School will have you standing up before the end of your lesson.

If you are an experienced surfer and if you have left your board at home, try hiring one from Manly Surfboards.

Snorkelling and diving 

Snorkelling in Manly
Image Courtesy of Destination NSW

Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve is the best place for snorkelling and diving in Sydney.

The Aquatic Reserve is home to a variety of sea creatures including Dusky Whalers, Port Jackson, turtles, sting rays, Blue Groupers and many more sea creatures.

Hire your snorkel set from Dive Centre Manly and Manly Surfboards.

If you are not ready to do it alone try jumping on a tour with Ecotreasures or Snorkelling Shelly Beach – they have all the insider knowledge on their personal tours.

If you’re feeling more adventurous or keen to learn a new skill Dive Centre Manly and Pro Dive Manly offer diving courses.

 

Kayaking

Kayaking in Manly
Image courtesy of Manly Kayak Centre

In Manly there are loads of great hidden harbour beaches that are worth checking out, such as Store Beach, Collins Beach, Fairlight and Little Manly.

Store Beach can only be accessed by water and is home to a variety of wildlife.

Manly Kayak Centre and Manly Lifestyle Club has single, double and triple kayaks that you can hire per hour.  Drop into the information centre to purchase your tickets.

Stand up paddle (SUP) boards

SUP Tour Manly
Image Courtesy of Destination NSW

If you want to try the latest craze, hire a SUP board from Manly Kayak Centre, Manly Lifestyle Club or Manly Surfboards and hit Manly Cove, or for the more daring head out to Shelly Beach.

SUP ball is a sport that was created in Manly. It is a combination of netball, water polo, lacrosse and rugby – played on stand up paddle boards.

Enjoy playful, ocean‑based movement with flow mOcean SUP yoga and SUP fitness sessions.

Sailing and boating

Image Courtesy of Destination NSW

Whether you want to sit back and let someone else take the helm or prefer to explore at your own pace, there are plenty of easy options to explore Manly by boat.

Manly Sailing offers skippered experiences and relaxed harbour cruises, while Manly Boat Hire has everything from small runabouts to leisure boats ready to go. If you’re after something simple and self‑drive, Manly Kayak Centre also offers compact hire boats that are ideal for cruising the harbour’s quieter corners.

It’s one of the most effortless ways to enjoy Manly by water.

 

Travelling to Sydney and looking for things to do? Manly is ranked as Sydney’s best beach by tripadvisor and offers experiences and tours for kids, couples and solo holiday makers. Located 20 minutes across Sydney harbour by ferry, visitors can hit both surfing ocean beaches, and quiet harbourside beach coves. Over 150 bars add restaurants are complemented with plenty to see with tours, activities, outdoor markets and shopping malls.