Always check the conditions when you arrive and swim between the flags.
Mona Vale Beach
Live conditions and scores
Mona Vale sits 28km north of Sydney. A broad rock platform splits the beach into two sections: a 1km main beach to the south, with a golf course keeping the foreshore open, and the smaller sheltered Basin to the north.
The main beach has permanent rips running against the rocks. Swim between the flags near the surf club at the northern end, where lifeguards patrol daily from late September to late April. Not keen on rips? The free 30m ocean pool on the rock platform is a solid option, with a children's pool alongside.
Surfers get a few breaks here. The Basin north of the rock platform has a mellow right-hand reef break, well-suited to longboarders. Cooks Terrace toward Warriewood has uncrowded beach breaks. The Basin suits longboarders but is unpatrolled.
Free parking at the south end off Coronation Street is rare on the Northern Beaches. There's a café at the surf club plus BBQs and a shaded playground at Apex Park. Get there early in summer as the northern end fills fast.
What Makes It Special
- •Free 30m ocean rock pool on the headland
- •Surf breaks to suit all levels, from beginners to advanced
- •Patrolled daily Sep to Apr, 9am to 5pm
- •Kids' pool, playground and BBQs at Apex Park
- •Free parking at the south end
- •Off-leash dogs allowed at the south end until Oct 2026 (mornings before 10am and evenings only)
Best Time to Visit
Summer and autumn bring the best surf, with NE to E swells producing reliable breaks across the beach. If you're after a swim, get there before 10am in summer. The northern end gets busy fast. Lifeguards patrol daily from 9am to 5pm, late September to late April.