Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach is a small, sheltered beach nestled in a bay just south of Manly. It’s the only west-facing beach in Sydney, which makes it the perfect spot for watching the sun set, but not before spending a great day swimming and snorkelling around in the bay.
Although most beaches have shells on them, Shelly Beach is named as such because the ground is made up almost entirely of broken up shells, rather than the fine sand you might be accustomed to when visiting Australian beaches. If you’re planning on spending a day sunbathing here, I’d recommend bringing a decent sized beach towel or chair to sit on to stay comfy.
Getting There
As with many of Sydney’s popular beaches, your best bet is to pack light and make your way to Shelly Beach using public transport. The first stop is to get to Manly (for me, this means getting the Manly Fast Ferry) over from Circular Quay, followed by walking directly out to Manly Beach and then following the coast to the southeast (along the promenade) until you reach Shelly Beach. It’s not tricky to find; the beach is already visible from Manly Beach.
There is a parking lot directly next to the beach, but if you’ve spent any length of time in Sydney, you’ll know that beach parking spots are close to non-existent even on quieter days. You may be better off leaving the car in one of Manly’s paid parking areas and walking over, but it’s not cheap at around A$50 for a full day of parking.
Snorkelling at Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach borders the Cabbage Tree Bay Reserve. While you’re not allowed to fish here, you are permitted to swim and snorkel to your heart’s content.
If you don’t have your own equipment, Manly Surfboard Rentals is a great place to rent a snorkel, mask and flippers (and a wetsuit if you’re deathly afraid of cold water, as I am). At the time of writing, it costs A$20 for renting a snorkel/mask/flipper combo, and you get to keep the equipment until the shop closes at 6pm.
While the water can get a bit murky on days with heavy tourist traffic, you’ll still get to see a variety of aquatic animal species. I managed to see quite a few fish within an hour of snorkelling, including but not limited to bream, barracuda, wrasse and a mixed bag of small, tropical fish. We even spotted Dory from Finding Nemo! You may also find small clusters of squid darting around, and the reserve reportedly used to hold weedy seadragons (super cool looking creatures), but they haven’t been seen here in a few years.
Swimming at Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach is a popular open water swimming spot, because the bay protects it from harsh currents, waves and wind. It feels almost like a giant lake, and the bay itself is big enough to do sizeable laps or circuits without feeling like you’re on a hamster wheel.
If you’re not too keen on swimming in the ocean, the nearby Fairy Bower Sea Pool offers you the chance to take a splash without venturing into the deep blue.
Other Things to Do
Even if the ocean is not for you, it’s still worth taking a trip out here. There’s a walking track next to the beach, and though I haven’t been on it myself, the views seem good and you’re bound to see a few eastern water dragons along the way. The Boathouse also offers good food and live music, but be prepared to pay tourist prices for anything you buy here.
If you’re new to Sydney, you may not yet have come across Messina. It’s my favourite gelato chain, and you’re bound to find a few flavours that tickle your fancy. Their dulce de leche flavour is to die for - it’s like eating frozen condensed milk.
Last but not least, you also have Manly (and Manly Beach) at your disposal. If you’re visiting on a weekend, you’re bound to find a market, festival or one or more competitions happening along the beach. There always seems to be something going on, so your best bet is to rock up on the day and see what you can find!