Sydney is surrounded by many beautiful beaches. They are divided into the Southern Beaches and the Northern beaches. In general, the Southern Beaches are more popular/crowded, maybe due to their proximity to the whole Bondi scene. Remember, if you take a dip in the ocean swim only in the designated areas, between the red and yellow flags.

Sydney’s and Australia’s (maybe the World’s) most famous beach, Bondi, is the first beach most tourists head for. This probably explains why the beach is always packed with sunbathers and surfers.

Due to its legendary status, you have to visit Bondi at least once during your stay however, I have heard many people saying that they found it slightly overrated and I would have to agree with them. That said, this is still a beautiful beach and if you can get there before the crowds, all the better. There is a shallow sheltered saltwater pool at the northern end of the beach which is ideal for families. From here rocks lead out along the cliff-face, extending out to the sea. This area is more popular with Bondi’s regulars. Surfers tend to occupy the southern section of the beach.

This area is also home to one of Australia’s most famous swimming clubs, Bondi Iceburgs. For a small fee, you can enjoy a dip in the salt water pool or, if you are willing to splash out a bit (no pun intended!) you can enjoy a bistro meal or sign up for some gym/yoga sessions (among other things).
www.bondivillage.com

This long narrow beach is just south of Bondi. It has a small park with benches and a children’s playground at the back. This beach has strong surf and so swimming is not really recommended here. The beach is sometimes called Glamourama due to the glamorous people you’ll find here (although I find the people here similar to the people from other beaches).
www.tamaramaslsc.org

This is a family orientated beach that, due to its small size, can often feel a busy as Bondi. The surf can be quite strong here so it is recommended to use the free sea swimming pool towards the southern end of the beach.

This beach feels a lot more down-to-earth than Bondi, it feels more friendly and intimate. It is very popular with locals, backpackers and anyone looking for a more chilled-out experience than Bondi.
www.coogeebeach.net.au

Maroubra beach is about 1 kilometre long and often less crowded that some of Sydney’s other beaches. The beach is not ideal for swimming as the surf is quite rough but surfers are sure to enjoy themselves.

Manly Cove contains a harbour beach which sits alongside Manly Wharf. Due to its lack of surf, the beach is quite popular with families. There is also a netted-off swimming enclosure as well as the rather run-down looking Oceanworld attraction.

Only 500 metres away from Manly Cove, Manly Beach has a distinctive look thanks to the Norfolk Pines lining its edge. The beach is very popular with both tourists and locals and has a very easy-going feel. A pair of much smaller beaches, Fairy Bower Beach and Shelly Beach, lie just to the south.

This is one of the smaller beaches but it comes with a more secluded feel. This is one of the few areas where Koalas can still be found (not actually on the beach, in the bush behind it!). There is also rock swimming pool located at the southern end of the beach.

This isolated beach is perfect for those wanting to get away from everything. It has a very intimate feel, something that can be hard to find along Sydney’s east coast. This beach is quite popular with surfers due to ‘The Wedge’, a famous left-hand surfing break.

This is where the beach scenes for Aussie soap ‘Home & Away’ are filmed. Palm Beach draws a glamorous crowd from celebrities to wealthy Sydneysiders and is the last of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The nearby Barrenjoey Lighthouse can be climbed (for a small fee) to give you a better view of Palm Beach and Pittwater Waterway. The southern corner of the beach is the best area for swimmers and families as the surf tends to be more gentle.