Shelly Beach Manly Sydney
Best for. Families, gentle swimmers and snorkellers who want the calmest, clearest water within walking distance of Manly.
Best spot. The sheltered sand at the cove with the reef just offshore, calm and protected by the headland.
Know this. It faces west inside Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve, so the water is unusually calm and fishing is not allowed.
Shelly Beach is the calm counterpoint to Manly's surf, and one of the loveliest small swims in Sydney. It is a tiny, west facing cove tucked behind the Cabbage Tree Bay headland, which shelters it from the ocean swell and leaves the water unusually calm and clear for an open coast beach.
It sits inside Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve, a protected no fishing zone, which is why the snorkelling is so good. A short reef runs just off the sand, and on a clear day you can drift over it watching fish, rays and the occasional turtle, all a few metres from shore. Bring a mask and it transforms the visit.
The calm water makes it a genuine family favourite. Small children paddle safely, the cove is shallow and sheltered, and there is a cafe behind the sand for an easy lunch. It is the swim you walk to when the Manly surf is too much for the little ones.
Getting there is part of the charm. A flat, paved path hugs the shoreline from the southern end of Manly around Cabbage Tree Bay to Shelly, an easy ten minute stroll suitable for prams, and the Manly to Spit coastal walk climbs from here into the headland bushland for those who want more.
Who might want more space. The cove is small and gets busy on warm weekends, and parking behind it is very limited, so walk from Manly and come early. For calm, clear water and snorkelling close to the city, Shelly is hard to beat.
Clubs on this beach
Shelly is a small public beach with a cafe behind the sand but no daybed beach club on the cove, so we route you to the Sydney beaches and venues where a club style day exists.
No beach club on this beach
This is public sand with no daybed club on the beach itself. For a club style day with loungers and table service near Shelly Beach, we gather the options in the Sydney beach clubs directory.
Shelly Beach, Manly
Shelly Beach sits just around the headland from Manly on Sydney's northern beaches, reached by an easy ten minute walk along the shoreline path from southern Manly.
There is a small car park behind the cove but it fills very quickly, so walking from Manly, which is itself best reached by ferry from Circular Quay, is the simplest option.
Facilities are good, with a cafe, showers and the sheltered cove. The calm water and the offshore reef make it ideal for a swim and a snorkel.
Photo: Sebastian K via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a club within reach of Shelly Beach. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Shelly Beach
Is Shelly Beach at Manly good for families?
Yes. The cove faces west behind the headland, so the water is unusually calm, shallow and sheltered, which makes it one of the best family swims in Sydney. There is a cafe behind the sand and an easy paved walk from Manly suitable for prams.
Is Shelly Beach good for snorkelling?
Yes, it is one of the best snorkelling spots in Sydney. The cove sits inside Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve, a protected no fishing zone, and a reef just off the sand draws fish, rays and the occasional turtle a few metres from shore.
How do you get to Shelly Beach from Manly?
Walk. A flat, paved shoreline path runs from the southern end of Manly Beach around Cabbage Tree Bay to Shelly in about ten minutes, and it is suitable for prams. Parking behind the cove is very limited, so walking is the easy choice.
Why is the water so calm at Shelly Beach?
Shelly is one of the few Sydney beaches that faces west, tucked behind the Cabbage Tree Bay headland, which shelters it from the ocean swell. That protection leaves the water unusually calm and clear compared with the open surf beaches nearby.
When is the best time to visit Shelly Beach?
Autumn, from March to May, brings warm sea, settled days and clear water that is ideal for snorkelling. The small cove fills fast on warm weekends, so arrive early and walk in from Manly.
