Sydney surf beaches
Must do
Sydney’s best surf beaches
Surf lifestyle is such a big part of Sydney in Summer with around 70 surf beaches in Sydney.
Sydney’s surfing hot-spots
The first surfboard hit Australian waves at Freshwater in 1914, and Sydneysiders have taken to surfing ever since. From board-riding in thrilling swells to learning to surf safely, Sydney’s surf beaches have it all. In fact, four Sydney beaches have made it to the National Surfing Reserve Register: Manly, North Narrabeen, Cronulla and Maroubra.
Australia’s most famous and stylish stretch of surf and sand is Bondi Beach, less than 10km from Sydney city centre. Serious board-riders are found at the southern end of the beach, while boogie boards and bodysurfers are at the northern end.
Further south, Maroubra is a kilometre long curve of sand that appeals to surfers, swimmers and families alike. Cronulla includes four different beaches – Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla and Cronulla, and has a lively surf scene with local board-riding communities and surf lifesaving clubs.
The northern beaches, from Manly to Palm Beach, offer some of Sydney’s prime surfing spots, including Curl Curl, Freshwater, Dee Why and Narrabeen.
When you’re surfing, stay safety-aware. Keep out of flagged swimming areas and never surf alone. You can get the latest news about swell, winds and weather at www.coastalwatch.com.
Australian Open of Surfing
Manly Beach hosts the annual Australian Open of Surfing in February each year. Be there to see the best in surfing as well as skating, great music, fashion and art in this action-packed event that attracts surfers from around Australia and the world. Manly Beach was chosen for its great waves as well as its reputation for being the birthplace of Australian surfing. The first World Surfing Championships were held at Manly Beach in 1964.
Learn to surf in Sydney
Get all the board action you need at an accredited surf school on one of Sydney’s favourite beaches. From Manly and Bondi to surf adventure tours to Byron Bay, you’ll be able to learn the basics or hone your big wave skills.
Surf school in Bondi
Is there anywhere better to learn to surf than Australia’s famous Bondi Beach? With fantastic waves and the ultimate beachside vibe, it’s close enough to the city to make after-work surfing possible. Check out Let’s Go Surfing for details.
Freshwater, Australia’s first surf beach
This is where Australian surfing all began in 1914. And it still has some of the best surf in town, along with a playground and BBQ facilities. “Freshie” hosts many surfing events over Summer, including the Australia Day Carnival.
Sydney surf beaches
Less than 10km from the city centre is Bondi, Australia’s most famous and stylish stretch of sand. On a summer weekend in Sydney, you’d be hard pressed to find a larger collection of beautiful people than at Australia’s most iconic surf beach, Bondi.
South Bondi is also the business end of the beach for board-riders. The north end is ideal for the soft-board learn-to-surfers, and a shallow kiddies’ pool here makes it a big draw with families.
Also in the east is Maroubra Beach (“The ‘Bra”) a 1km curved strip of sand backed by a rifle range and a low-key residential neighbourhood that has a pub and two clubs, surf shops and a short strip with some restaurant and café gems. Families are also drawn to the beach’s picnic areas, shaded playgrounds and safe rock pools.
In southern Sydney the 4km of coastline known as Cronulla actually comprises four different beaches – Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla and Cronulla – side by side on a single broad sweep of southern Sydney sand. Cronulla is a cultural melting-pot, combining local board-riding communities, surf lifesaving clubs, and beach-goers from as far afield as the city’s west and south-western fringe.
In company with Bondi, Manly Beach is Sydney’s most iconic strip of sand. Surfing is so embedded in the culture here that there are about 10 surf shops in Manly, making it a great place to shop for clothing and equipment. Other popular activities on offer include beach volleyball, kayaking and scuba diving.
To the north you will discover a long strip of beaches, starting with Manly, about 30 minutes by ferry from the city centre, and tapering to the point of Palm Beach, well known for some of Sydney’s most luxurious beach accommodation, fine restaurants and designer boutiques.
Most of Sydney's 37 beaches are situated within 30 minutes of the city centre by public transport.
Don't miss Sydney surf beaches
-
Coogee Beach Sydney East, Sydney, Coogee
Coogee Beach is a great beach with calm surf and is family-friendly. The promenade area has restored historic buildings and nurtured parklands.Most of...
randwickcitytourism.com.a- Additional Information
- View details
-
Cronulla Beach
Sydney South, Sydney, Cronulla
Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire on Sydney’s southern coast, is the only Sydney beach that can be reached by train, meaning you can visit witho...
www.sutherlandshire.nsw.g- Additional Information
- View details
-
Dee Why Beach
Sydney North, Sydney, Northern Beaches
Dee Why Beach faces slightly southeast but its southern headland both gives protection from southerly winds and shape to any swell coming from the sou...
www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/- Additional Information
- View details
-
Bronte Beach
Sydney East, Sydney, Surrounds
Bronte is just over a kilometre’s walk south of Bondi. The beach itself faces east and picks up swell from any direction, but bulky headlands to...
www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/e- Additional Information
- View details
-
Bondi Beach
Sydney East, Sydney, Bondi
Bondi Beach is Australia's most famous beach. Bondi's mixture of lifestyles would suit most visitors, whether you're drawn to the fashi...
www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/t- Additional Information
- View details
-
Palm Beach
Sydney North, Sydney, Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the exclusive, high-end of Sydney's long stretch of the Northern Beaches; it is everything you'd expect from the insular-penin...
www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/- Additional Information
- View details
-
Newport Beach
Sydney North, Sydney, Northern Beaches
Newport faces due east so is open to swell coming from any direction. A jumble of rocks 250 metres south of the north headland known as The Peak shape...
www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/- Additional Information
- View details
-
Narrabeen Beach
Sydney North, Sydney, Northern Beaches
Narrabeen Beach is one of Australia's iconic surfing and swimming beaches. Over three kilometres of sand stretch from Long Reef in the south to the N...
www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/- Additional Information
- View details
-
Manly Beach
Sydney North, Sydney, Manly
In company with Bondi, Manly Beach is Sydney’s most iconic strip of sand, named by the State’s first governor Arthur Phillip in 1788 for t...
www.manlyaustralia.com.au- Additional Information
- View details
-
Queenscliff Beach
Sydney North, Sydney, Surrounds
Queenscliff is the northern headland of Sydney’s famous Manly Beach, possessed of an offshore “bommie” which can handle waves up to ...
www.manlyaustralia.com.au- Additional Information
- View details
sydney_sider: @positivetravel countdown to Vivid. Are you ready for the weekend? #Sydney
Tue, 22 May 2012sydney_sider: @JulieaGillard are you ready for Vivid this weekend? We're only 3 sleeps away #Sydney
Tue, 22 May 2012Escapes newsletter