# The best Sydney beaches in winter

URL: https://sydneybeachside.com.au/best/winter/ · Facts checked: 2026-10-09

Bondi, Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly are patrolled all year, so they are the best Sydney beaches for a winter swim. Manly has flags all year at South Steyne only, and Cronulla Beach has had daily winter patrols. Most other northern beaches have no flags from May to August.

How we ranked: Ranked on year-round lifeguards first, then on places to stay close to the patrolled sand.

## 1. Bondi Beach

Waverley Council lifeguards patrol every day of the year, and there are beds a few minutes from the sand.

Where to stay: 23 places to stay; closest 3 min walk from the sand. [Bondi Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/bondi/)

## 2. Coogee Beach

Randwick Council lifeguards patrol all year, with hostels and hotels on the flat beachfront strip.

Where to stay: 19 places to stay; closest 1 min walk from the sand. [Coogee Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/coogee/)

## 3. Manly Beach

Flags all year at South Steyne, the southern end, a few minutes from most of the town’s beds.

The catch: North Steyne and Queenscliff: October to April only.

Where to stay: 17 places to stay; closest 1 min walk from the sand. [Manly Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/manly/)

## 4. Clovelly Beach

Patrolled all year, with calm water behind the breakwater.

The catch: Nowhere to stay in Clovelly itself.

Where to stay: 5 places to stay; closest 11 min walk from the sand. [Clovelly Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/clovelly/)

## 5. Maroubra Beach

Patrolled all year by council lifeguards.

The catch: One pub hotel within walking distance.

Where to stay: 1 place to stay; closest 8 min walk from the sand. [Maroubra Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/maroubra/)

## 6. Cronulla Beach

Council lifeguards have patrolled Cronulla Beach every day through winter, with shorter weekday patrols at North Cronulla.

Where to stay: 6 places to stay; closest 2 min walk from the sand. [Cronulla Beach](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/cronulla/)

Walks are walking times, door to sand, along the OpenStreetMap walking route at 4.8 km/h. Nobody paid to be listed.