Best Sydney Swimming Spots
While renowned for its iconic beaches like Bondi and Manly, Sydney offers more than just the sand and waves.
From the less popular harbour favourites to ocean baths and iconic lap pools, there’s something to suit everyone.
Here is the Bistro St. Tropez men’s board shorts guide to Sydney’s best spots for a dip.
Bondi
This list wouldn’t be complete without the world-famous Bondi beach, and if you haven’t already, check out our complete guide to spending a day there.
The classic crescent shaped beach features golden sand, clear blue water and a famous surf break. Bondi offers something for everyone.
If it’s surfing you’re into, the mellow waves on the Northern end to the middle provide a great spot to learn. For something a little bigger, head towards the southern end.
The North Bondi rock pools are the perfect spot to take the kids, and the picturesque Bondi icebergs allows for year-round lap swimming.
Freshwater Beach - Manly
While Manly will be a favourite North shore beach for many, Freshwater takes the cake for us. Every trip to Sydney should include a trip on one of the iconic ferries across the harbour to Manly, and we recommend strolling past Manly to the next beach over, Freshwater.
Like many of our favourite beaches in Sydney, Freshwater does have a 50m ocean bath for lap swimming.
However, as the official birthplace of surfing in Australia, it’s pretty hard to go past a paddle in the waves.
Nielson Park – Shark Beach
We now head back over the bridge to our number one harbour beach for the Bistro St. Tropez men’s boardshorts guide, Nielsen Park. Although a number of other eastern suburbs spots could have taken out number one in the harbour (Camp Cove, Watson’s Bay a close second), Nielsen Park offers picture perfect views.
Enclosed via shark net, it’s a great spot to take the whole family. It’s also the beginning of the Hermitage Foreshore walking track, providing excellent views of the Harbour Bridge.
Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton in Woolloomooloo
When it’s time to trade the Bistro St. Tropez men’s boardshorts for budgie smugglers and get some laps in, Sydney offers a number of iconic lap pools. Although a toss-up with Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton in Woolloomooloo, we reckon the North Sydney Olympic Pool is number one.
Nestled right under the Bridge on the North Shore and beneath those classic arches, the pool provides spectacular views of the harbour and city. There’s also an indoor 25m pool, a sauna, spa, and a gym.
Palm Beach
Rounding out our list and we head outside of the city to the location of Home and Away, to the magnificent Palm Beach. Less than an hour’s drive from Sydney, Palm Beach offers good waves on the Northern End, as well as a walking trail to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
On the southern end you’ll find a more family friendly, mellower spot to build a sandcastle and laze on the beach. For something to eat we recommend The Boathouse for great food and amazing views overlooking Pittwater.
