# Where to stay at Clovelly Beach, Sydney

URL: https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/clovelly/ · Region: Eastern Suburbs · Facts checked: 2026-10-09

A narrow, sheltered bay between two rocky ridges, more ocean pool than surf beach. Great for snorkelling and calm swims. Nowhere to sleep in Clovelly itself; the nearest beds are over the hill towards Coogee.

There’s no hotel or hostel at Clovelly itself. The closest places to stay are Little Coogee Hotel and Coogee Studio Apartments, on the ridge between Clovelly and Coogee: an 11-minute walk to the sand, with a 40 m climb home. When we checked, they were $100–$116 a night. The north-Coogee hostels are 20–22 minutes away.

At a glance: 8 km south-east of the CBD · bus from the city · no train · patrolled all year · snorkelling · 25 m saltwater pool.

## A calm bay with no beds beside it.

Clovelly is a small beach at the end of a narrow bay between two rocky ridges. A breakwater at the mouth keeps the water calm, and concrete promenades with steps run along both sides, so it works more like a big ocean pool than a surf beach.

When we checked, nobody ran a hotel or hostel in Clovelly; the Clovelly Hotel is a pub. The nearest places to stay are on the ridge towards Coogee and along the north end of Coogee Beach, and every walk to Clovelly crosses that ridge.

## Places to stay near Clovelly Beach

Walk = walking time and distance (not driving) along the walking route from the property to the nearest sand, at 4.8 km/h. Climb = uphill on the walk home (90 m elevation model, rounded to 5 m). Price band = one nightly price seen on Google Maps on 2026-10-09 ($ under $100, $$ $100–199, $$$ $200–349, $$$$ $350+). Nobody paid to be listed.

| Place | Type | Walk | Route | Climb home | Nearest end | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coogee Studio Apartments | Apartments | 11 min | 862 m | 40 m | north end | $$ |
| Little Coogee Hotel | Hotel | 11 min | 892 m | 40 m | north end | $$ |
| Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments | Apartments | 19 min | 1528 m | 45 m | middle | not checked |
| Coogee Beach House | Hostel | 20 min | 1582 m | 50 m | middle | $ |
| Mad Monkey Coogee Beach | Hostel | 22 min | 1780 m | 50 m | middle | $ |


## Which end of the beach

- **The bay.** Steps lead down from the promenades into calm, clear water. It’s a popular snorkelling spot, and home to a large blue groper the locals call Bluey. It’s in the Bronte–Coogee Aquatic Reserve, so you can’t fish for groper or collect sea life.
- **The south side.** The lowest platform holds a 25 by 6 metre saltwater pool. Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1906, and the big free car park are on this side.
- **The beach and park.** The small beach is at the head of the bay, with Bundock Park right behind it: playground, barbecues and picnic shelters. A ramp on the northern side gives wheelchair access to the water.

## How to get to Clovelly

- **From the city.** There’s no train. Buses run from the city to Clovelly. Plan the trip on the Transport NSW trip planner. (Sources: [Wikipedia: Clovelly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovelly,_New_South_Wales); [Transport NSW trip planner](https://transportnsw.info/trip))
- **From Coogee.** Walk north on the coastal path past Gordons Bay, or over the hill by the streets: about 1.5–2 km from the north end of Coogee Beach. (Sources: [Sydney.com: Bondi to Coogee walk](https://www.sydney.com/things-to-do/nature-and-parks/walks/bondi-to-coogee-coastal-walk))
- **From the airport.** About 13 km by road. Most people with luggage take a taxi or rideshare.

## Is Clovelly Beach safe?

- **Is Clovelly patrolled?** Yes, all year. Randwick Council lifeguards patrol Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra all year round. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Lifeguards](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/lifeguards))
- **Is Clovelly good for kids and older swimmers?** It’s one of the calmest swims on the coast: the breakwater shelters the bay, and the council describes it as particularly popular with families and older swimmers. Watch the edges of the platforms when there’s swell. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Clovelly beachside area](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/beachside-areas/clovelly-beachside-area))
- **Shark nets** Randwick’s shark nets are at Coogee and Maroubra, not Clovelly. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Shark management](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/shark-management))
- **Water quality after rain** Stormwater runs into the bay after heavy rain. Check Beachwatch for the daily pollution forecast before you swim. (Sources: [NSW Beachwatch](https://www.beachwatch.nsw.gov.au/))

## Is Clovelly good for kids?

- Calm water behind the breakwater, and patrolled all year.
- Bundock Park, behind the beach, has a playground, barbecues and picnic shelters.
- A ramp on the northern side gives wheelchair access to the water.

## The downsides

- Nowhere to stay in Clovelly itself. Every bed on this page is over the ridge towards Coogee.
- Small. On a hot weekend the promenades and the little beach fill up.
- Not a surf beach: if you want waves, go to Bondi or Maroubra.

## FAQ

### Can you snorkel at Clovelly?

Yes. It’s a very popular snorkelling site, with plenty of sea life and a resident blue groper called Bluey. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Clovelly beachside area](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/beachside-areas/clovelly-beachside-area))

### Is Clovelly Beach patrolled in winter?

Yes. Randwick Council lifeguards patrol Clovelly all year round. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Lifeguards](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/lifeguards))

### Is there a pool at Clovelly?

Yes: a 25 by 6 metre saltwater pool on the lowest platform on the southern side. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Clovelly beachside area](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/beachside-areas/clovelly-beachside-area))

### Are there hotels in Clovelly?

Not when we checked. The closest is Little Coogee Hotel, an 11-minute walk away on the ridge towards Coogee.

### How far is Clovelly from Sydney CBD?

About 8 km south-east of the CBD. (Sources: [Wikipedia: Clovelly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovelly,_New_South_Wales))

## Nearby beaches

- [Gordons Bay](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/gordons-bay/): just south on the coastal walk
- [Coogee](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/coogee/): south, over the hill
- [Bronte](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/bronte/): north on the coastal walk

Ask a local: enquiries@sydneybeachside.com.au