Manly Beach

Manly faces the open Pacific on the northern side of Sydney Harbour's mouth, a wide surf beach backed by a row of Norfolk Island pines and a pedestrian street, The Corso, that runs a few hundred metres from the ferry wharf on the harbour side to the ocean. Surfing has been part of the place since the early twentieth century, and it hosted the first world surfing championships in 1964. Beyond the main beach, the walk south along the shoreline reaches Shelly Beach, a sheltered snorkelling cove in an aquatic reserve, and the coastal path north runs through Freshwater and beyond. The ferry crossing, through the Heads with harbour views throughout, is half the appeal.

What you actually see

• The surf beach - a long ocean beach under Norfolk Island pines.
• Shelly Beach - a sheltered snorkelling cove in an aquatic reserve.
• The Corso - the pedestrian street linking harbour and ocean.
• The ferry crossing - the harbour ride out through the Heads.

When to go

October to April for swimming, with water warmest from January to March. Weekends and summer holidays are extremely busy. The ferry can be rough in a southerly, and swells occasionally close the beach to swimming.

Honest expectations

Summer crowds are heavy and parking is close to impossible. Surf conditions vary and rips are common, so swimming between the flags matters. Food and drink along the front are priced for tourists.

Nearby

North Head and its lookouts lie south; the coastal walk runs north to Freshwater and Curl Curl.