Sydney is famous for its crystal clear and turquoise blue water, snowy white sand and stunning beaches. Sydney is a one of the Cheap holiday destinations and offers water sports activities, swimming, sunbathing and making castles on the beach.

There are more than 90 beaches in and around Sydney and it’s very hard to choose the 11 Best Beaches in Sydney but here I have picked some of the best beaches which will take your breath away.

Bondi Beach

One of the most iconic, gorgeous white sand, famous and one of the best beaches in Australia is Bondi Beach. No tour to Australia or even Sydney is complete without visiting Bondi Beach. The beach is approximately 17 minutes by car and around 36 minutes by bus from Sydney’s CBD.

Thousands of tourists from all over the world visit Bondi in December just to enjoy Australian summer. Normally the water is clear, it’s the best place to enjoy surfing with your family as they always have lifesavers patrol on the beach.

There are lots of cafes along the main road and Esplanade. To avoid the crowd, the best way to start the day is to go early, take a dip in the water and relax. Enjoy yourself at a restaurant with the gorgeous view of Bondi.

Manly Beach

Manly Beach is one the most famous and lively beach in Sydney and many locals prefer Manly over Bondi Beach as besides the beach, it offers plenty of restaurants, shops, and many other attractions nearby.

You can enjoy a ferry ride, learn surf lessons, shop in the nearby mall, family time in cafes, beach volleyball on golden sand, dip in warm water, stand-up paddleboarding sunbathing and many more fun activities you can relish. Check out Manly beach Restaurants.

Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is famous, secluded and well known for snorkelling, scuba diving and underwater photography as it’s a home to exotic marine life in azure water.

Cuttlefish, blue groper, bottom-dwelling sharks, yellowfin bream, and even sea dragons are all found in stunning shallow water. You can easily spot the Blue Groper fish near rocks on the beach.

Look out for picnic benches, drinking fountains, and showers beside the beach. You can enjoy great lunch with lots of choices in restaurants and cafes on Shelly beach which offers a stunning beach view.

Palm Beach

Around 41 kilometres drive from Sydney CBD, Palm Beach sits on a peninsula between the southern and northern ends. This beach not only offers a great view but also it’s for everyone.

The northern side is a bit rough and it is perfect for people who love to surf whereas the southern side is a bit smaller but very calm and makes it perfect for swimming and for families who love picnics.

Since it’s far from CBD it’s not at all crowded and swimmers can relax and enjoy a great time on any sunny day. This beach has also been featured many times in the famous Australian TV series Home and Away. You can enjoy a small hike to Barrenjoey Lighthouse and you will be amazed to see a gorgeous view.

Balmoral Beach

Near to the city, blue-green and calm water, extraordinary view, idyllic picnic spots makes Balmoral Beach great for families. Perfect place for picnics and life moves at a more relaxed pace at the beach.

Beach is completely safe for swimming as they have a shark net. You can also enjoy scuba diving, kayaking and other sports activities besides splashing water on each other. You can get picturesque views from nearby restaurants and café.

Bronte Beach

Do you love surfing and you are looking for a perfect beach for surfing? Well, I have good news for you, waves at Bronte Beach can be rough, offers great surf conditions makes it a heaven for surfers.

Don’t be disheartened if you don’t know how to surf but want to be with your surfer group and want to just chill in the water. You can swim in wonderful Bronte sea baths which is a natural rock pool.

Milk beach

Milk Beach sits at the base of the Heritage listed Strickland House which also offers unobstructed views of Sydney famous iconic landmark, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower and Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tower.

Despite being only a 15-minute drive from Bondi Beach, it is untouched by visitors and it’s the best place to enjoy your lazy weekend afternoon in the water or sunbathing on this secluded beach but can get really busy during summertime.

Coogee Beach

Water is usually calm and very suitable for swimming. It’s advisable to swim always between flags for your own safety. Coogee Beach is the most famous and favourite beach among families.

Well maintained and many types of equipment with a beautiful view of the beach is the perfect place for kids who can enjoy lots at the seaside playground.

The Seaside park is an idyllic picnic spot as it offers all facilities such as shelters, barbeques, tables and plenty of shades. You will be amazed to see a variety of foods in the nearby restaurants and cafes.

You can easily reach there by public transport and for a great scenic view, you can enjoy the trail from the Coogee walk to Bondi.

Freshwater Beach

In 1914, Hawaiian “Duke” Kahanamoku hit wave first time on Freshwater Beach. This beach is definitely not recommended for swimming but has excellent conditions for surfing.

The beach is flanked by a headland at each end and the north end has a large rock pool. Due to one or two-meter mark wave, it’s very popular among surfers and it gets really busy during summertime. After a long surfing day, you can enjoy excellent and various types of food at nearby restaurants and cafes.

Cronulla Beach

Cronulla Beach is a famous surf beach and the only beach in Sydney accessible by train; it means no need to keep on searching for a car park in summer.

The origin of Cronulla is from the Aboriginal word ‘kurranulla’ which means ‘place of pink seashells’. Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and The Cronulla Pavilion are the two prominent buildings close to the golden sand, along with an amazing restaurant and multicultural café. You can purchase surfing equipments and gears from plenty of shops nearby.

Shark Beach

Despite near to impossible parking and a jam-packed beach, Nielsen Park is blessed with the sparkling gem of Shark Beach that also offers splendid harbour views.

Shark Beach is an idyllic place to enjoy a swim, a splash, sunbathing, sand digging and castle making. Don’t worry, there is a large shark net which protects predators from entering the swimming area and without any fear you can enjoy a great time in the water. Plenty of shade underneath trees, outdoor showers, relax on the grass makes it the most picturesque place for a picnic.

Summary of 11 Best Beaches in Sydney

• Bondi Beach : – One of the most iconic, gorgeous white sand and famous beach in Australia is Bondi Beach. No tour to Australia or even Sydney is complete without visiting Bondi Beach.
• Manly Beach :- Many locals prefer Manly over Bondi Beach as besides the beach, it offers plenty of restaurants, shops, and many other attractions nearby.
• Shelly Beach :- Shelly Beach is famous, secluded and well known for snorkelling, scuba diving and underwater photography as it’s a home to exotic marine life in azure water.
• Palm Beach : – The northern side is a bit rough and it is perfect for people who love to surf whereas the southern side is a bit smaller but very calm and makes it perfect for swimming and for families who love picnics.
• Balmoral Beach : –Near to the city, blue-green and calm water, extraordinary view, idyllic picnic spots makes Balmoral Beach great for families.
• Bronte Beach : – Bronte Beach can be rough, offers great surf conditions makes it a heaven for surfers.
• Milk Beach : – Milk Beach sits at the base of the Heritage listed Strickland House which also offers unobstructed views of Sydney famous iconic landmark, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower and Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tower.
• Coogee Beach : – Coogee Beach is the most famous and favourite beach among families.
• Fresh Water Beach : – Due to one or two-meter mark wave, it’s very popular among surfers and it gets really busy during summertime.
• Cronulla Beach : – Cronulla Beach is a famous surf beach and the only beach in Sydney accessible by train; it means no need to keep on searching for a car park in summer.
• Shark Beach :- Shark Beach is an idyllic place to enjoy a swim, a splash, sunbathing, sand digging and castle making. Don’t worry, there is a large shark net which protects predators from entering the swimming area and without any fear you can enjoy a great time in the water.