# Sydney's beaches, and where to stay at each one

URL: https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/

Every beach Sydney Beachside covers, compared. "Closest bed" = walking time (not driving) along the walking route on OpenStreetMap from the nearest place to stay to the sand, at 4.8 km/h. Price band = one nightly rate on Google Maps on the day checked. Nobody paid to be listed.

## Eastern Suburbs

| Beach | Places to stay | Closest bed to the sand | Cheapest band | Lifeguards | From the city | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Coogee Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/coogee/) | 19 (hotel, apartments, hostel, guesthouse) | 1 min walk | Under $100 | All year | 8 km · bus | Ocean baths, the pub, the coastal walk |
| [Bondi Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/bondi/) | 23 (apartments, hotel, hostel, guesthouse) | 3 min walk | Under $100 | All year | 7 km · bus, or train + bus | The famous one; Icebergs pool |
| [Maroubra Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/maroubra/) | 1 (hotel) | 8 min walk | $100–200 | All year | 10 km · bus | Big surf, a locals’ beach |
| [Bronte Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/bronte/) | 6 (apartments, guesthouse, hotel) | 7 min walk | $200–350 | Yes | 7 km · train + bus | Ocean pool on the rocks; surf club since 1903 |
| [Tamarama Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/tamarama/) | 6 (apartments, guesthouse, hotel) | 1 min walk | $200–350 | Yes (strong rips) | 6 km · train + bus | Sculpture by the Sea |
| [Clovelly Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/clovelly/) | 5 (apartments, hotel, hostel) | 11 min walk | Under $100 | All year | 8 km · bus | Snorkelling; 25 m saltwater pool |
| [Watsons Bay](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/watsons-bay/) | 1 (hotel) | 1 min walk | $200–350 | Harbour beach, no surf | 11 km · ferry or bus 324 | The Gap and South Head |
| [Gordons Bay](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/gordons-bay/) | none: stay in Coogee | 8 min walk from Coogee | – | None | Bus to Coogee + coastal walk | 600 m underwater nature trail |
| [Malabar Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/malabar/) | none: stay in Maroubra | 26 min walk from Maroubra | – | Summer only | 12 km · bus | Ocean pool; wheelchair beach mat |
| [Little Bay Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/little-bay/) | none: stay in Maroubra | 50 min walk from Maroubra | – | Summer only | 14 km · bus | Small cove below steep stairs |

## Northern Beaches

| Beach | Places to stay | Closest bed to the sand | Cheapest band | Lifeguards | From the city | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Manly Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/manly/) | 17 (hotel, apartments, hostel, guesthouse) | 1 min walk | Under $100 | All year (South Steyne) | 17 km · ferry | The ferry ride; the Corso |
| [Freshwater Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/freshwater/) | 5 (hotel, apartments, hostel, guesthouse) | 11 min walk | $100–200 | Sep – May | 17 km · ferry + walk or bus | Duke Kahanamoku surfed here, 1914 |
| [Dee Why Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/dee-why/) | 1 (hotel) | 24 min walk | Under $100 | Sep – May | 18 km · B-Line bus | Rock pool, lagoon, cafés |
| [Palm Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/palm-beach/) | 4 (hotel, guesthouse, apartments) | 14 min walk | $200–350 | Sep – Apr | 41 km · bus 199 | Home and Away’s Summer Bay; Barrenjoey |
| [Collaroy Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/collaroy/) | 2 (hotel) | 6 min walk | Under $100 | Sep – Apr | 22 km · B-Line bus | 3.4 km of sand with Narrabeen |
| [Narrabeen Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/narrabeen/) | 2 (hotel, apartments) | 2 min walk | $100–200 | Sep – Apr | 23 km · B-Line bus | Lagoon trail, 8.6 km |
| [Avalon Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/avalon/) | 1 (hostel) | 6 min walk | Not checked | Sep – Apr | 28 km · bus 199 | 25 m saltwater rock pool |
| [Whale Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/whale-beach/) | 3 (hotel, guesthouse) | 8 min walk | Not checked | Sep – Apr | 40 km · bus 199 + walk | The Wedge; The Big Swim each January |
| [Shelly Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/shelly-beach/) | none: stay in Manly | 15 min walk from Manly | – | None | Ferry to Manly + 1.7 km walk | Snorkelling in a no-take reserve |
| [Curl Curl Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/curl-curl/) | none: stay in Manly | 26 min walk from Manly | – | Sep – Apr | 165X express bus | A rock pool at each end |
| [Long Reef Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/long-reef/) | none: stay in Dee Why | 27 min walk from Dee Why | – | Sep – Apr | B-Line bus + walk | Aquatic reserve since 1980 |
| [Bilgola Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/bilgola/) | none: stay in Avalon | 16 min walk from Avalon | – | Weekends + public holidays | 33 km · bus 199 | 50 m rock pool |

## Sutherland Shire

| Beach | Places to stay | Closest bed to the sand | Cheapest band | Lifeguards | From the city | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Cronulla Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/cronulla/) | 6 (apartments, hotel, guesthouse) | 2 min walk | Under $100 | All year (Cronulla Beach) | 26 km · train | Surf beach at the end of a train line |
| [Bundeena](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/bundeena/) | 3 (guesthouse) | 2 min walk | Not checked | Bay beach; check for flags | 29 km · train + ferry | Royal National Park all round |
| [Wanda Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/wanda/) | none: stay in Cronulla | 14 min walk from Cronulla | – | Oct – Apr | Train to Cronulla + walk | 1.5 km of sand and dunes |
| [Elouera Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/elouera/) | none: stay in Cronulla | 8 min walk from Cronulla | – | Warmer months | Train to Cronulla + walk | Between North Cronulla and Wanda; surf club since 1966 |
| [Gunnamatta Bay](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/gunnamatta-bay/) | none: stay in Cronulla | 13 min walk from Cronulla | – | None | Train to Cronulla | Netted tidal baths, no waves |