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Sydney surf beaches

Surfing at dawn, Cronulla. Image Hamilton Lund

Must do

Surfing at Tamarama beach. Image Andrew Gregory

Highlights

Best surf beaches

A cool surf lifestyle is a big part of summer in Sydney. Take advantage of beautiful weather and great waves to learn how to surf at one of the many accredited surf schools dotted along the coast. There are around 70 surf beaches in Sydney so you've got plenty of choice when it comes to location.

Surf Bondi in 360°

Want to see more aerial views of Sydney? Visit Sydney 360 to explore Sydney like you have never seen it before.

Sydney’s surfing hot-spots

Surf life savers at Dee Why, Image Hamilton Lund

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.

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.

Learn to surf with Let's Go Surfing at Bondi, Image Pierre Toussaint

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.

Learn to surf with 'Let's Go Surfing' at Bondi. Image Mikala Wilbow for Let's Go Surfing

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.

Surf life saving event at Freshwater Beach. Image David Druce

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. 

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Don't miss Sydney surf beaches

  • Avalon Beach Avalon Beach Sydney North, Sydney, Northern Beaches

    Over the last decade or so Avalon has become the favoured "sea-change" destination for Sydney-siders looking to adopt the surfer lifestyle. As a resul...

    www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/
    Additional Information
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  • Narrabeen Beach 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 th...

    www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/
    Additional Information
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  • Cronulla Aerial 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
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  • Bronte Beach 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
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  • Palm Beach 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/
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  • Freshwater Beach Freshwater Beach Sydney North, Sydney, Manly

    At a little over 300-metres in length and wedged between two headlands, Freshwater is just to the north of Manly and faces southeast. The north headla...

    www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/
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  • Shelly Beach, Manly. Credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW Shelly Beach Sydney North, Sydney, Manly

    Shelly Beach is located in Manly and forms part of Cabbage Tree Bay, a protected marine reserve which lies adjacent to North Head and Fairy Bower. Wit...

    www.manlyaustralia.com.au
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  • Newport Beach 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/
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  • Long Reef Beach Long Reef Beach Sydney North, Sydney, Northern Beaches

    Long Reef is one of the most visually arresting of Sydney’s northern peninsula beaches, with a headland that comes complete with a stunningly-si...

    www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/
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  • Coogee Beach 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
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