Subscribe 
The Best Hidden Beaches in Sydney for a Secluded Dip
Sneak away to the best hidden beaches in Sydney, loved for their secluded locations and picturesque views.
Sydney is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but where do you go to avoid the crowds on a hot summer’s day? Do as the locals do and bypass the well-known, touristy haunts (sorry, Bondi Beach!) and head to somewhere secret instead. The best hidden beaches in Sydney include Chinamans Beach in Mosman for flat-water family swims, Parsley Bay in Vaucluse for postcard-pretty calm and Bungan Beach in Newport for crowd-free surf beneath sandstone cliffs.
We’ve skipped the Bondi crowds for these quieter stretches of sand, sorted by swim, surf and snorkel. So grab your swimmers and sneak away to one of the best hidden beaches in Sydney…
In This Guide:
Hidden Harbour Beaches in Sydney for Calm, Quiet Swims
Lady Bay Beach, Watsons Bay
Perched between South Head and Camp Cove, this tiny beach is one of the best secret beaches on Sydney’s coastline – and that’s a big call!
It boasts stunning views of the harbour and skyline, and the water is gentle and inviting. Oh, and cossies are completely optional. Yep, Lady Bay Beach is a designated nude bathing area, so feel free to strip down before you splash away.
If you’re in the mood for a walk, wear your sneakers and go down the South Head Heritage Trail, which will take you to the Hornby Lighthouse.
Where: Lady Bay Beach, Watsons Bay
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Active, Couples
Need To Know: Lady Bay Beach is a designated nude bathing area.
Lady Martins Beach, Point Piper
Wander down the lane off Wolseley Road, Point Piper (near the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club), and you’ll be greeted by the sparkling waters of Lady Martins Beach.
Not only is the beach peaceful, but the uninterrupted harbour views will remind you just how lucky you are to live in Sydney.
Where: Lady Martins Beach, Point Piper
Cost: Free
Best For: Locals, Couples, Outdoor
Need To Know: Access is via the lane off Wolseley Road, near the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club.
Whiting Beach, Mosman
Set on Sydney Harbour and hidden from the main drag, this is one of the best secret beaches for locals and Sydneysiders.
The picture-perfect setting at Whiting Beach lends itself well to sunbathing, swimming and photos. Pack a picnic because when the sun is out, this is the spot to be for the whole day.
Where: Whiting Beach, Mosman
Cost: Free
Best For: Locals, Weekend plans, Outdoor
Collins Flat Beach, Manly
On the harbour side of Manly, Collins Flat Beach is an idyllic spot that offers sprawling city skyline views and a ton of privacy. It’s accessible via water or walking trails and is the kind of place that prompts Instagram posts captioned, “How’s the serenity?”
The water is calm and shallow, and the beach is usually quiet. Our advice? Pack a picnic hamper and head to this hidden beach with the person you care about most, #romance.
Where: Collins Flat Beach, Manly
Cost: Free
Best For: Couples, Date night, Outdoor
Need To Know: Accessible by water or via walking trails only.
Parsley Bay, Vaucluse
On a sunny day in Vaucluse, skip the popular Nielsen Park and stop at Parsley Bay instead.
This gem is as pretty as a postcard, with crystal clear water, a waterfall, and a wooden bridge harking back to the 1920s. Given its location at the very tip of the eastern suburbs, Parsley Bay doesn’t attract the kind of large crowds that neighbouring beaches do.
If you’re feeling active, try the other side of Vaucluse and walk the Hermitage Foreshore Walk and cool off with a dip in Milk Beach.
Where: Parsley Bay, Vaucluse
Cost: Free
Best For: Locals, Nature lovers, Outdoor
Secluded Beaches in Sydney for Families
Chinamans Beach, Mosman
Located a kilometre away from Balmoral Beach, Chinamans Beach is a beautiful 250m stretch of sand that’s the definition of ‘secluded.’
Once you’re there, you won’t want to leave, so bring snacks, sunscreen and drinks to last the day. The unpatrolled beach is known for its flat water, making it perfect for water sports, while the playground keeps kids entertained between swims.
Where: Chinamans Beach, Mosman
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Outdoor, Locals
Need To Know: Unpatrolled beach. Bring snacks, sunscreen and drinks to last the day.
Camp Cove, Watsons Bay
Camp Cove is a go-to secret beach for the eastern suburbs set of Sydney. Framed by million-dollar mansions and a short walk from the Watsons Bay ferry, you can go real estate window shopping as you wade about in the calm waters.
Sitchu Tip: Bring a picnic rug, set up under the shade of a tree, and get fish and chips from the nearby kiosk. There’s also a large playground for the kids nearby. Tick, tick, tick!
Where: Camp Cove, Watsons Bay
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Locals, Weekend plans
Need To Know: A short walk from the Watsons Bay ferry, with a kiosk nearby for fish and chips.
Salmon Haul Reserve, Cronulla
Salmon Haul Reserve is a great spot if you’re looking to skip the crowds at Cronulla. This gorgeous little spot has a beautifully landscaped area that overlooks Port Hacking across to Bundeena and the beach Royal National Park.
Wade in the inviting shallow water, explore the little rock pools or have a snorkel. There’s a great playground plus picnic facilities and toilets, and it’s dog-friendly if you keep your furry friend on a leash.
Sitchu Tip: If you have a boat head over to Jibbon Beach – another hidden gem just across the bay.
Where: Salmon Haul Reserve, Cronulla
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Kids, Dog-friendly, Outdoor
Need To Know: Dogs welcome on a leash. Toilets and picnic facilities on site.
Best Hidden Snorkelling Spots in Sydney
Little Congwong Beach, La Perouse
Surrounded by lush greenery in the Botany Bay National Park, Little Congwong Beach makes swimmers and sunbathers feel like they’re far away from it all.
It’s a 30-minute stroll from Congwong Beach, and worth it. Along with calm waters, the beach offers views of bushland and boats, and it’s great for snorkelling. Leave the kids at home, though – thanks to its isolated location, Little Congwong Beach appeals to those who like to ‘let it all hang out.’ (Nudists; we mean nudists).
Where: Little Congwong Beach, La Perouse
Cost: Free
Best For: Nature lovers, Outdoor, Solo
Need To Know: About a 30-minute walk from Congwong Beach. Popular with nudists, so better suited to adults than families.
Castle Rock Beach
Nestled between Clontarf and Balgowlah lies this harbour beach in the Sydney Harbour National Park. This peaceful inlet is surrounded by cliffs and bushland, offering a tranquil escape away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The unique rocky outcrops around the beach make for the most amazing snorkelling and diving opportunities.
Where: Castle Rock Beach, Clontarf
Cost: Free
Best For: Nature lovers, Outdoor, Adventure
Gordon’s Bay
Okay, hear us out. Whilst Gordon’s Bay isn’t quite a hidden beach, its waters do hold an enchanting secret — an underwater nature trail. The 600m trail consists of concrete drums connected by a chain with informative underwater plaques and plenty of sealife to spy. The self-guided ‘tour’ is perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling and a very unique way to take in the magic of Sydney’s underwater world.
Where: Gordon’s Bay, Coogee
Cost: Free
Best For: Unique experiences, Active, Outdoor
Need To Know: The 600m underwater nature trail is self-guided.
Secluded Surf Beaches in Sydney
Bungan Beach, Newport
If you’re after a secluded beach with decent waves, head to Bungan Beach in Newport. Just take your time walking down the steep private driveway (on Myolda Road), as that’s the only way in.
When you reach the Bungan SLSC clubhouse, you’re there. The beach is only 600m long, but spectacular thanks to the sandstone cliffs that loom on either side.
If you can’t find a parking spot, drive 5 minutes south to find another secluded spot at Turimetta Beach.
Where: Bungan Beach, Newport
Cost: Free
Best For: Active, Locals, Outdoor
Need To Know: The only access is via a steep private driveway off Myola Road.
Whale Beach
Local and international crowds flock to Palm Beach (aka Summer Bay) thanks to Home and Away, so its next-door neighbour, Whale Beach, is usually overlooked.
Named after the whales that can often be spotted on its horizon, this stunning spot boasts excellent surf conditions and bright yellow sand.
Where: Whale Beach
Cost: Free
Best For: Active, Outdoor, Locals
Mackenzie’s Bay, Tamarama
Now, Mackenzie’s Bay isn’t ‘hidden’ as such – it just doesn’t exist most of the time. Let us explain. Usually, this small cove between Bondi and Tamarama Beach is just a rocky bay that attracts surfers, fishermen and a few brave sunbathers.
But, every few years at the beginning of winter, the bay becomes a beach overnight. It’s a mystery in that no one knows exactly when it will happen, but experts believe it’s due to a special combination of shifting sand and low tide. How cool is that?
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk, Tamarama
Sydney’s Disappearing Beach: Mackenzie’s Bay
Mackenzie’s Bay
One of Sydney’s most elusive stretches of sand has reappeared between Bondi and Tamarama, transforming a usually rocky coastal inlet into a tiny beach. The catch? This sandy little mirage won’t stick around forever, with the beach disappearing again when the conditions shift. If you’re doing the Bondi to Coogee walk, now’s the time to detour for a look.
Where: Mackenzie’s Bay, Tamarama
Cost: Free
Best For: Unique experiences, Outdoor, Locals
Need To Know: The beach only appears every few years, usually at the start of winter, and disappears again when conditions shift.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Hidden Beaches in Sydney
Some of the best hidden beaches in Sydney are harbour coves rather than ocean beaches. Chinamans Beach in Mosman offers 250 metres of flat water about a kilometre from Balmoral Beach, while Parsley Bay in Vaucluse pairs clear water with a waterfall and a wooden bridge dating back to the 1920s. Collins Flat Beach in Manly is reached by water or walking trail and rewards the effort with city skyline views. For surf without the crowds, Bungan Beach in Newport sits beneath sandstone cliffs and is reached only via a steep driveway off Myola Road.
Families after a quieter beach day have several good harbour and bay options in Sydney. Chinamans Beach in Mosman has flat water and a playground for breaks between swims, although it is unpatrolled, so keep a close eye on younger children. Camp Cove in Watsons Bay offers calm water, shady trees for a picnic rug, a nearby kiosk for fish and chips and a large playground close by. Salmon Haul Reserve in Cronulla has shallow water, rock pools, a playground, picnic facilities and toilets, and welcomes dogs on a leash.
Gordon’s Bay in Coogee is one of the best places to snorkel in Sydney, home to a 600-metre underwater nature trail of concrete drums linked by a chain, with information plaques along the route and plenty of sea life to spot. For a quieter harbour option, Castle Rock Beach in Clontarf sits within Sydney Harbour National Park, where rocky outcrops create good conditions for snorkelling and diving. Little Congwong Beach in La Perouse and Salmon Haul Reserve in Cronulla also offer calm water for a snorkel, with Salmon Haul adding rock pools to explore.
Mackenzie’s Bay is a small cove between Bondi and Tamarama that is usually a rocky inlet visited by surfers, fishers and the occasional sunbather. Every few years, often at the start of winter, sand builds up and the bay turns into a small beach, sometimes almost overnight. Nobody can predict exactly when it will happen, but the change is thought to result from a combination of shifting sand and low tide. The beach disappears again once conditions shift, so if it appears, visit soon via the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk.
Several of Sydney’s quietest beaches are best reached on foot. Little Congwong Beach in La Perouse is about a 30-minute walk from Congwong Beach through Botany Bay National Park. Lady Bay Beach in Watsons Bay connects to the South Head Heritage Trail, which continues to Hornby Lighthouse. In Vaucluse, the Hermitage Foreshore Walk leads to Milk Beach, not far from Parsley Bay. Collins Flat Beach in Manly can be reached by walking trail or water, and Mackenzie’s Bay sits on the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk when the sand returns.
Finished splashing your way around the best hidden beaches in Sydney and want to explore more of our harbour city? Check out our definitive edit of Sydney’s best seafood restaurants. After that, have a read of our ultimate Sydney staycation round-up.
