Gordons Bay, Coogee
A pocket-sized cove between Coogee and Clovelly, reached only on foot. Fishing-club boats on racks, calm water, an underwater trail, and no beds: those are 8 minutes south in Coogee.
Gordons Bay has no hotels, hostels or guesthouses. The closest beds are at the north end of Coogee Beach, an 8-minute walk (about 650 m) north on the coastal walkway. The bay itself is a small, sheltered cove with a 600 m underwater nature trail for snorkellers and divers. It isn’t patrolled by lifeguards.
At a glance
- 8 min walk from Coogee’s north end
- no lifeguards
- coastal walkway only, no road
- 600 m underwater trail
Nowhere to sleep at Gordons Bay. Coogee is 8 minutes away.
Gordons Bay sits between Coogee and Clovelly, down a gully off the coastal walkway. There’s no road to it and no car park: you walk in. The sand is lined with the local fishing club’s boats, and there’s nothing to buy and nowhere to stay.
The nearest places to stay are at the north end of Coogee Beach. From Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments, the walk north along the coastal path to the bay is about 650 m, 8 minutes. Little Coogee Hotel, on the ridge towards Clovelly, is 9 minutes away.
8 min on foot from Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments at the north end of Coogee Beach, 0.7 km north on the coastal walkway.
How we measure. Walking time along the walking route on OpenStreetMap, door to sand, at an easy 4.8 km/h. Checked 9 October 2026.
Where to stay at Coogee Beach
19 places to stay, each with its walk to the sand and the climb home. Real businesses; nobody paid to be listed.
See the Coogee stays Mynameisben123 / CC BY 3.0, WikimediaWhat’s there
The bay
A deep gully running down to a small beach, with raised boardwalks over a wetland fed by a natural spring. Stone steps on the north side lead out to a sandstone rock platform, where people sunbathe, swim and go in to snorkel.
Maurice van Creij / CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia
Under the water
The Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail runs 600 m along the seabed: concrete-filled drums about 20 m apart, joined by a chain, with steel plaques along the way. Diving it takes about 40 minutes; on a clear day you can follow it from the surface with a snorkel. The bay is about 10 m deep at its deepest.
lennyk410 / CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia
The boats
The sand is lined with racks of small aluminium boats belonging to the Gordons Bay fishing club, formally set up in 1964. The council compares it to a European fishing village. It’s why the beach is busy with hulls rather than towels.
Nick-D / CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia
Gordons Bay from the coastal walk. Coogee’s beds are 8 minutes back to the south.
Maurice van Creij / CC BY 3.0, WikimediaKnow before you go
How do you get to Gordons Bay?
From Coogee. Walk north from the end of Coogee Beach on the coastal walkway. From the north end of the beach it’s about 650 m, 8 minutes.1
From Clovelly. Walk south on the coastal walkway from Clovelly Beach. It’s the next bay along.1
From the city. There’s no train. Take a bus to Coogee or Clovelly and walk the last stretch on the coastal path. Plan the trip on the Transport NSW trip planner.2
By car. There’s no parking at the bay. The council points drivers to Coogee or Clovelly beach and the walk in from there.1
Is Gordons Bay safe?
Is Gordons Bay patrolled? No. Randwick Council lists it as an unpatrolled beach. The nearest flags are at Coogee and Clovelly, both patrolled by council lifeguards all year.1,3
Is it safe to swim? The water is usually calm, which is why snorkellers and divers use it. It still isn’t patrolled: swim or snorkel with someone, and watch your footing on the weed-covered rocks.1,4
Shark nets Randwick’s shark nets are at Coogee and Maroubra, not Gordons Bay.5
Water quality after rain Check Beachwatch for the daily pollution forecast before you swim after heavy rain.6
With kids
Calm water and a lot to look at under it: good for an older child’s first snorkel. No lifeguards and no flags, so stay in the water with them. Steps and boardwalk on the way in, and no shop or kiosk at the bay: bring what you need.
The catch
- No lifeguards. The closest flags are at Coogee and Clovelly.
- Nowhere to stay, eat or buy a drink at the bay. Everything is in Coogee.
- Walk-in only: no road, no parking, and steps on the way down.
- A small beach, much of it taken up by the fishing club’s boat racks.
- No dogs, no glass, and a permanent alcohol ban.
Quick answers
Where can I stay near Gordons Bay?
- In Coogee. The nearest hotels and apartments are at the north end of Coogee Beach, about an 8-minute walk north on the coastal walkway. There’s no accommodation at Gordons Bay itself.
Can you swim at Gordons Bay?
- Yes. It’s sheltered and usually calm, and popular with snorkellers and divers. It isn’t patrolled; the nearest flags are at Coogee and Clovelly.1
What is the Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail?
- A self-guided 600 m trail along the seabed, marked by concrete-filled drums about 20 m apart, linked by a chain, with steel information plaques. A dive takes about 40 minutes; on a clear day you can snorkel it from the surface.1
How do you get to Gordons Bay?
- On foot, along the coastal walkway: north from Coogee or south from Clovelly. There’s no road access.1
Can you park at Gordons Bay?
- No. The council says parking is at Coogee or Clovelly beach; walk in on the coastal walkway from there.1
Is Gordons Bay dog friendly?
- No. Dogs are prohibited.1
Can you spearfish at Gordons Bay?
- No. Spearfishing is prohibited, and so is removing plants or animals.1
Nearby beaches
Also close: Bronte (further north on the coastal walk).
Ranked in: the best Sydney beaches for snorkelling (#2).