10 Best Beaches in Sydney

Escape the blazing summer heat of The Emerald City and find your way to the sun-soaked beaches, where turquoise waters kiss your feet!

Sydney, the capital of the Australian state of New South Wales, is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, which includes iconic sites like the Opera House of Sydney and the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge. Sydney, frequently referred to as the Emerald City, has hundreds of beaches in and surrounding it, making it a metropolis with breathtaking coastlines that surfers as well as beach lovers adore the most. From the swarms of sun-kissed bodies flaunting Bondi Beach to the surf-spectacular shores of Manly Beach and the isolated expanses of sand located along the mountainous coasts of guarded national parks, Sydney's beaches truly have something for everybody.

Below is the list of the top 10 best beaches in Sydney, you must check out!

Bondi Beach, with smooth golden sands running for a km between two headlands, is the most famous beach in Australia serving as a popular destination with lots of things to discover and do. Located just eight kilometers from Sydney's CBD, it is a favorite destination for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing as well as for taking the ideal Instagram pictures. You can take a plunge in the picturesque iceberg pool, which hangs over the beach. Don’t forget to visit the Bondi Market every Sunday to purchase local crafts, handcrafted jewelry, art, and antique items. Bondi offers a vibrant food scene with a variety of options. From contemporary cafes like Rocker to charming bakeries and burger shacks, there’s something for everyone. Don't miss Panama House, known for its lavish brunches and delicious drinks, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a meal by the beach!

Bronte Beach, located around 3 kilometers from the famous Bondi Beach within Sydney's eastern suburbs, is excellent for a family vacation due to its soft beaches and surrounding park with BBQ facilities, a playground, and covered spots to unwind. There is no fee to utilize the stunning seaside rock pools located along the southern headland. Additionally, there’s less crowd of surfers here than in the Bondi, making it a more relaxed experience. However, it's important to note that heavier swells are best left to experienced surfers.

You can also wander along Bronte Road to find a variety of cafés and eateries including Bogey Hole Café, which serves handmade cakes along with veggie burgers, and Three Blue Ducks, which serves contemporary Australian breakfasts as well as lunches.

This small treasure of a beach is just a few kilometers from Bronte Beach and may be found by following the coastal walk. Tamarama is only 80 meters in length yet the sand is extremely fine, while the waves are ideal for surfing. The neighboring park includes a café, BBQ spots, and a play area. Furthermore, Tamarama has also developed an image as a hotspot for visitors, earning the moniker "Glamarama”. Visitors gazing out over Tamarama's stunning beachfront might be surprised to learn that in the late 1800s, this area was home to a large amusement park complete with elephant rides and a roller coaster. It's also important to note that swimming can sometimes be unsafe, so always heed the lifeguards' instructions.

Coogee features a 400-meter stretch of smooth beach, gentle surf, and a wonderful promenade featuring historic structures and gardens to explore. The most picturesque way to get around here is following the Bondi to the Coogee route, which runs 6 kilometers up the coast. You will also find Rock pools at both ends of the coastline, including Wylies Baths, which has a wooden platform, or the Ladies Baths towards the south. The family-friendly beach lets children play on the neighboring Grant Reserve playground and grass. Furthermore, Arden Street, which runs along the shore, is dotted with cafés where you can get some chips and fish or a scoop of ice cream before shopping at the boutiques.

For people who like to walk on the sand alone, an excursion to the beautiful Marley Beach is certainly worth it. It is situated within Royal National Park roughly an hour's drive from Sydney's south and is an oasis of untamed beauty, complete with crystal-clear seas, high cliffs, and undulating dunes. To get here, follow the route from Bundeena and continue to walk along the lovely coastline road for approximately 4.5 kilometers. Little Marley Beach requires an additional 20-minute walk.

Manly, which is only a 30-minute ferry journey away from Circular Bay of Sydney, is a great place to relax and meet locals. In fact, it ranks as one of the city's best surfing beaches and also hosts the Great Australian Open of Surfing tournament every February. You can unwind on the sands while watching the surfers, or if you want to improve your skills, get classes from a local surf shop to improve your wave riding abilities. And when you are ready to get away from the beach, visit The Corso strip, an exciting strolling route studded with hundreds of stores, outdoor eating options, bars, plus art galleries.

Shelly Beach, located close to Manly, is a small yet among the most beautiful Sydney beaches where you’ll be rewarded with fantastic vistas. Bring your snorkeling gear and discover the beautiful waters of this tiny bay, located within Cabbage Tree Bay's protected marine reserve. Surfers generally head to the western part of the beach to catch the legendary shallow-breaking surf wave known as "The Bower." Furthermore, the beach also has BBQ facilities, and a restaurant named Le Kiosk.

Nielsen Park, located in the Vaucluse area in Sydney's eastern outskirts, is a calm seaside getaway with a wide selection of amenities. The park faces Shark Beach and includes shaded picnic spaces as well as a lovely walking track along the shoreline. The waters are shallow and often quiet, making them ideal for swimming or kayaking. Don’t forget to dine at the Nielsen Park Cafe for dinner before heading towards Bottle and Glass Point to look for a spot of shaded grass and enjoy the gorgeous panorama of Vaucluse Bay.

Located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Milk Beach serves as a little beach, ideal for a peaceful retreat. It is beautifully in front of the historically protected Strickland House grounds in Hermit Bay and is a great place to swim, snorkel, fish, and explore the beach's edge rock formations. As you continue into the late afternoon, you can take in the sights of the Sydney skyline as the sun sets. Furthermore, Shark Beach within Nielsen Park, which offers picnic spaces and restrooms is also just a fifteen-minute stroll from the beach.

Freshwater, situated north of the iconic Manly Beach in Sydney's Northern Beaches district, is a favorite spot for swimmers, surfers, and families. In 1915, the legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku showcased his board-riding skills here, igniting Australia's passion for surfing. At the northern end of the beach, you'll find a rock pool perfect for lap swimming, along with a reserve that offers grilling and picnic facilities, as well as a playground for kids. The beach tends to be busiest on Sunday mornings during the summer when the Surf Life Saving Club runs its "nippers" program, a beach safety initiative for young surfers.