Amongst the many things that Sydney is known for, our beach culture definitely tops the list. Every summer, you’ll find many a tourist joining Sydneysiders and flocking to the eastern shores to secure the best spots throughout the city’s many shores. With over 37 ocean beaches and most within a 30 minute commute from Sydney CBD, here’s a quick guide to some of Sydney’s most popular – and some more secret – beaches for your summer holidays.

Whether you’re a seasoned local or someone planning a Sydney holiday, check out some of the best surf and sand in the world.

Bondi Beach
Bondi would definitely be on the top of most visitors’ lists as a must see in the city. The longest beach in the Eastern suburbs, Bondi is over a kilometre long and features a popular boardwalk running along its length, perfect for a quick jog or an early morning stroll. Meanwhile, the beach itself is usually packed with sun bathers, surfers and families. With some of the best dining and entertainment options along Campbell Parade, it’s the perfect scene to discover – or rediscover – the easy going beach combing lifestyle that dominates Sydney.
Hint: if you’re looking for a slightly less “crazy” destination, head south to neighbouring Tamarama Beach. Smaller and generally cosier with some amazing waves, Tamarama can still get a little crowded and is thought to be a great place for “celebrity spotting”.

Coogee Beach
Another popular beach along the Southern shores, Coogee is a bit smaller than Bondi but is still a preferred option for both tourists and locals. Located on the southern end of the Bondi-Coogee walk, this beach is a great swimming beach with baths at both ends for those who want to avoid the rougher surf. The suburb of Coogee also features a number of great dining and entertainment options along its main strip while Coogee Bay Hotel and the Beach Palace Hotel come alive at night.

Manly Beach
As one of the longest beaches in Sydney, Manly beach is another prevalent destination for tourists and locals alike. From the city, the ferry is one of the easiest modes of transport to the suburb of Manly and offers some fabulous views throughout the trip. Once there, head down the pedestrian strip with its many shops and cafes. You’ll find surfers and families enjoying the 3 km of sand that stretch along the shore.
Hint: just a kilometre south of Manly beach is the little protected area of Shelly Beach. This is a great swimming beach that’s protected from the wind and surf and has been considered one of the easier to find “secret spots” of Sydney.

Palm Beach
Considered the “jewel of the Northern Beaches”, Palm Beach is the picturesque setting for the Logie Award winning series, Home and Away, which debuted in 1997. Sitting along the northern peninsula of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it’s flanked by multimillion dollar mansions and some of Sydney’s most exclusive real estate. Get there in style by chartering a seaplane from Rose Bay (or you can opt for the more pedestrian route and take a bus from Wynyard station). Palm Beach is an excellent surfing beach and has swimming pools and a number of cafes and kiosks for visitors to enjoy.

And some of the lesser known treasures…

Milk Beach
You’ll find this little gem hidden away amongst the shrubbery of Nielsen Park in Vaucluse. It’s also a popular lesser known viewing spot for the fireworks at New Year’s Eve.

Obelisk Beach
The perfect place for those who want to go sun bathing au natural. There are quite a few nude beaches tucked away along the Sydney Harbour, such as Obelisk Beach near Mosman. You can access the beach via Middle Head and then trekking a bit through the Sydney Harbour National Park. Definitely a great beach for those who aren’t shy about showing off what God gave them.

Let us know of any secret spots in Sydney. Enjoy the rest of summer!