Home to dozens of beaches, Sydney’s coastline simply sparkles in summertime. And if you’re looking for somewhere new to go, are keen to try catching a wave somewhere different, or are looking for some snorkel inspiration, you’re in the right place.

Here’s a list of all the beaches in Sydney, divided by their region, and noting whether it’s a harbour or ocean beach, whether you can surf, whether you can snorkel, whether or not it’s patrolled and, of course, if there are toilets nearby.

Northern Beaches

There are 23 beaches that stretch from Palm Beach in the north to Shelly Beach in the south along the Pacific coast. There are a few smaller ones on the Pittwater side, but the list below is just outlining ocean beaches.

We find the further north you get, the quieter they get too. Manly and Shelly in the south are popular for tourists and those coming across by ferry from the city, but up north toward Avalon, Newport, and Palm beaches, things get much quieter.

Sydney Harbour beaches

Sydney Harbour is home to more than a dozen beaches that are clean and suitable for swimming. They’re much calmer than ocean beaches and usually quieter, too.

Eastern Suburbs beaches

Easily the busiest beaches in Sydney, and some of the easiest to get to, are the nine beaches in the Eastern Suburbs. Stretching from Bondi in the north to Little Bay in the south these beaches also have the highest concentration of snorkel spots in Sydney — meaning we’re here a lot.

Botany Bay beaches

Perfect for plane enthusiasts or those looking to wade without waves, the beaches of Botany Bay are calling. We find the water usually feels a bit warmer here than the ocean and the many netted areas make it a great place to do laps, too.

Sutherland Shire and Royal National Park

Home to some simply stunning lengths of beach, the Sutherland Shire is home to the extensive Cronulla Beaches and is across Port Hacking from Royal National Park, a nature refuge that’s home to a handful of pristine beaches, too.

Nudist beaches in Sydney

For those looking to get an all-over tan, or who just like a bit more… freedom when at the beach, there are a few nudist beaches in Sydney. Some are official, and some unofficial, so be mindful of where you legally can sunbathe in the nude. It’s fine to not wear clothes on the beach and in the water, but not on any walking tracks or parking areas near them . So make sure you cover up once you leave!

Just keep in mind that if you go to an unofficial beach, you do run the risk of being asked to cover up or of being fined if any local park rangers or police are present.

What is the prettiest beach in Sydney?

Subjective, of course, but we think these are the nicest beaches in Sydney. Of course, picking one was pretty impossible, so we’ve chosen one from each of the lists above:

• Northern Beaches: Beautiful enough to be selected as the location for the fictional town of Summer Bay in Home and Away, Palm Beach is the north-most of the Northern Beaches and is about as pretty as they get, with Barrenjoey Head and it’s iconic lighthouse at its furthest point.
• Eastern Suburbs: Our go-to beach when we want a waveless swim or snorkel, Little Bay is surrounded by golf courses and the green makes it feel like you’re miles away from the city. It’s a perfectly protected bay, too, with calm, clear water, even when the other ocean beaches are very rough.
• Harbour Beaches: If you’re after somewhere you can take a swim while watching the sun set, there’s very few places in Sydney you can do this. And Milk Beach is one of them. Here, you can watch the harbour while watching the sun dip behind the bridge and skyline.
• Botany Bay: Another beach that feels like it’s far away from the city… until a plane flies overhead or a cargo ship goes by, Congwong offers a little slice of paradise that’s great for snorkelling or cooling off after a coastal walk in the adjacent national park.
• Southerland Shire and Royal National Park: Mobbed on the weekends for very good reason, Wattamolla sits in the middle of Royal National Park and offers the option of a blue-water beach or a waterfall-flanked lagoon.

Easiest to get to by public transport

• Manly: Take a ferry from Circular Quay and then take a short walk to Manly Beach, or swim at Manly Cove that’s right by the ferry wharf.
• Bondi: The most famous beach in Sydney may only be accessible by bus, but there are plenty of them that will take you either to Bondi Junction train station or into the CBD.
• Coogee: Like Bondi, there are plenty of buses that connect Coogee to the city and Bondi Junction. If you don’t mind a bit of a walk, you can also go to the end of the light rail line at Randwick and take a 25-minute stroll to the sand.
• Cronulla: With regular trains from Bondi Junction and the city, Cronulla is actually much better-connected to the city than many realise. And down here, on a sunny summer way, it’s pure vacation vibes and well-worth the train journey.

Safety tips for Sydney beaches

• Rips: A real danger on ocean beaches, rips can often look like a calm section between crashing waves, but they can pull you out to see if you get caught. If it’s a patrolled beach, make sure to swim between the flags only.
• Swimming after rain: Some beaches are subject to run-off after heavy rain which can drag pollutants and litter into the ocean making it less safe to swim in the water. It can also cause the water to be murkier, meaning it can be harder to see dangers in the water.
• Sun safety: The sun here is no joke, and you will burn quickly if you don’t take sun precautions. Wear SPF 50+ when possible and reapply after swimming, or if you’ve been out in the sun for a little while. Wearing rashies in the water can also be a life saver, and keep you marginally warmer the water in Sydney can be cold!
• Tides: Depending on the beach, tides can change the depth of the water which can make them more or less safe for swimming. Shallower water can mean sharper rocks are within kicking-depth. that you may not have noticed on previous visits to the beach.
• Leaving your belongings: Generally, you’re fine leaving your belongings alone on the beach when going for a swim here in Sydney. But, at busier beaches, you may want to limit what you bring — especially if you’re a bit nervous. Just bring the basics, like a towel, change of clothes, sun cream, your phone and keys.
• Sea life: While being attacked by anything living in the sea is very rare, it’s still important to be mindful while swimming. Don’t chase, approach or touch animals in the water as you may scare them. Many beaches, especially ones that are popular for snorkelling, also have lots of sea urchins present which can be very painful if they pierce your skin.

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