Clovelly Beach
About the Beach
Clovelly, known locally as Cloey, doesn't look like a typical Sydney beach. Two sandstone ridges nearly enclose the bay, blocking almost all wave energy. You enter via concrete steps off wide promenades, not a sandy shoreline. The actual sand is tiny. Think more ocean pool than beach.
The upside: no surf, no rips, and usually flat calm water. It's the calmest patrolled beach in Sydney, which makes it ideal for young kids, beginner swimmers, and snorkellers. The bay sits inside the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve, so marine life is protected and easy to spot. Swim out to the rock wall and you'll find fish, sea urchins, and lobster. The Geoff James Pool, a 25-metre saltwater pool on the southern side, rounds out the swimming options.
On-site you'll find a café and takeaway kiosk, change rooms, toilets, and free parking in the southern car park. Get there early on weekends, the car park fills up.
Scuba diving is banned from October to April between 8am and 6pm. A ramp on the northern side provides wheelchair access to the water. Check with council for beach wheelchair availability.
Conditions at 4:21 pm
Howling southerly winds around 31km/h with a solid 1.0m swell from the south. A cool 17°C in the air with comfortable 21°C in the water, and a low tide. Cloudy skies with a minimal UV index of 0.
Includes weather data from Google
Getting There
Clovelly, 2031, NSW
Free parking on Donnellan Circuit and a large free car park on the southern side, though both fill fast on weekends. Bus 339 runs from Central straight to Clovelly. You can also walk in via the Bondi to Coogee coastal track.
Parking available nearby