Explore the Northern Beaches stunning ocean beaches
For your daily dose of Vitamin Sea, look to the Northern Beaches.
Catch a wave, take a swim or simply relax on the sand of any one of our numerous, glorious beaches.
Avalon Beach
The major attractions of Avalon are the rolling waves and the picturesque beach. At the southern end of the beach is a beautiful rock pool that is extremely popular with young families and swimmers. The northern end is renowned for the big northern swell and surf.
Bilgola Beach
Bilgola Beach is a 500m secluded strip of sand and surf tucked between Avalon Beach to the north and Newport Beach to the south.
Bungan Beach
Hidden just over the headland from Mona Vale is Bungan Beach. It’s a great spot for both surfers and swimmers. Accessing this uncrowded beach requires a short walk down a steep footpath.
Collaroy Beach
When the wind and swell come from the south, Collaroy Beach is the place to be, offering a level of protection and making it a perfect beach for beginners, swimmers and families.
Dee Why Beach
Dee Why Beach is a popular surf beach, with swells at Dee Why point holding up to 4m. The waves are lower inside the point, making it a great spot for those learning to surf.
Fishermans Beach
Fishermans Beach is located between Collaroy Point and the northern base of Long Reef Point. Bring your snorkel and mask, as this is a great snorkelling spot to look for feather stars, heart urchins and sea slugs (also known as nudibranchs).
Freshwater Beach
Freshwater Beach is one of the locals’ favourite spots and is also a great beach for families. It is relatively small and perfectly located next to iconic Manly Beach.
Long Reef Beach
Long Reef is a 2km stretch of sand nestled between nature reserves and backed by Dee Why Lagoon. There are many submerged shipwrecks off Long Reef Aquatic Reserve, in no small part due to the fact that despite its prominent headland, no lighthouse was built here.
Manly Beach
Manly Beach’s golden sands and sparkling waters are fringed by the iconic towering Norfolk Pines. The world’s first surfing contest was held here in 1964, making it one of Australia’s most famous beaches and attracting many world-class surfers.
Mona Vale Beach
Mona Vale Beach is effectively two separate beaches, joined by a broad ocean rock platform containing a 25m ocean pool with a smaller pool for children. The bay to the north of Mona Vale is called The Basin, and tends to be more sheltered than the main beach.
Narrabeen Beach
The golden sands of Narrabeen Beach stretch for 3km and have become a world famous surfing spot. When you visit, don’t forget to pack your surfboard or body board to make the most of your stay.
Newport Beach
Newport Beach is 1.3km long and is popular with surfers and swimmers. The Peak is an inshore reef towards the northern end of Newport Beach, which is fantastic for highly skilled surfers, while at the southern end you can enjoy the beautiful salt-water 50m rockpool bordered by a rocky escarpment.
North Curl Curl Beach
North Curl Curl Beach is known as having some of the best surfing on the Northern Beaches. However, it also has couple of ever-present rips that can prove dangerous, so make sure you swim between the yellow and red flags located along this 1.2km stretch of beach. If you are not a strong swimmer, North Curl Curl boasts one of the most stunning and unique rockpools tucked away at the northern end of the beach.
North Narrabeen Beach
North Narrabeen Beach is best known for the world famous North Narrabeen break. In big southerly swells, the Narrabeen bombie offers both lefts and a tow-in site. If you prefer to swim in calmer waters, North Narrabeen ocean rockpool is located at the entrance of Narrabeen Lagoon, nestled into the cliff face of North Narrabeen Beach.
North Steyne Beach
North Steyne Beach is in the middle of Manly Beach, which is composed of 3 distinct beaches – South Steyne, North Steyne and Queenscliff. This stretch of sand is one of the best surf beaches around and hosts regular surf competitions.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the northernmost stretch of sand on the Northern Beaches. This beautiful beach is popular for its great surf, and also offers a safe area for swimming at the southern end of the beach, which is more protected as well as having a 35m ocean pool.
Queenscliff Beach
Queenscliff Beach is at the northern end of Manly Beach. In a big swell, this area produces great waves that attract skilled surfers, while on a calm day it’s the perfect spot for a refreshing swim between the flags. The rockpool is also a safe place to cool off or enjoy a few laps.
Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach in Manly forms part of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, a protected marine reserve perfect for snorkelling or diving. With a maximum depth of about 12m, it is possible to view a large variety of marine life in relatively shallow water. It is also protected from large southerly swells, making it a safe place for children and those looking for a relaxed swim.
South Curl Curl Beach
South Curl Curl is one of Sydney’s best surfing beaches and is great for bodyboards. This beach has an easily accessible rockpool offering a safe haven for children and swimmers if the waves are too rough.
South Narrabeen Beach
South Narrabeen Beach is situated in the middle of the vast stretch of beach from Collaroy to North Narrabeen.
Turimetta Beach
Turimetta Beach is a small 350m-long beach located north of Narrabeen, bordered by Turimetta Head to the north and Narrabeen Head to the south. This secret beach is popular among the locals.
Warriewood Beach
Warriewood Beach is a beautiful picturesque 500m stretch of golden sand running between Mona Vale Headland and Turimetta Head. It is quite secluded and therefore often very peaceful.
Whale Beach
Whale Beach is a 600m-long, east-facing beach located between Palm Beach and Avalon Beach. There are good beach breaks that can be fun for surfers in a north-easterly or easterly swell.