Shelly Beach

My absolute and all-time favourite beach in Sydney and the world! It's sheltererd, the water is very calm (for it open to the ocean), it's clean, it's full of marine life, it's just marvelous and perfect! It gets pretty busy and packed on sunny days but still there's space for everyone to enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Definitely my go-to beach whenever it's sunny out in Sydney!

Great spot to swim. Some surf and each not too long. Manly beach can be seen from the waters edge, and swimmers can be sighted testing themselves with a swim from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach and vice versa. Scuba diving lessons seem to occur at this beach. But not intrusive in general. Can even see fish in the water near the waters edge. Toilets and change rooms available. External quick rinse off showers for use just after exiting the surf. Not a lot of shaded areas. Lots if gazebo type structures for shading put up by beach goers. Shaded areas found mostly at the back area away from sand etc. Food outlets nearby.

Shelly Beach feels like a little lagoon at the edge of the city. The walk from Manly builds the anticipation, then the headland opens and you see a neat curve of sand, rock shelves on both sides and water that often looks as clear as glass. Mornings are lovely here. Locals filter in with masks and fins, kids do the sand shuffle at the shoreline, and you can hear the low boom of swell on the outer reef while the bay itself stays calm. It is one of those places where you drop your towel, take a breath and feel the pace of the day soften. Bring a snorkel if you can. This is part of a marine reserve, and it shows. Float over ribbons of kelp and scattered boulders and you will usually spot schools of sweep and mado, the odd ray sliding across the sand and, if you are lucky, a blue groper cruising like it owns the place. Entry from the sand is simple and friendly for beginners. On days with a little surge, fins help and it pays to stay closer to the centre of the bay. The water clarity can be excellent after a run of light winds, so early starts often reward you with the best visibility and fewer people. Everything you need sits close by. There are toilets, showers and taps behind the beach, barbecues and picnic tables tucked under the trees, and a café at the back for coffee or something cold between swims. Shade on the sand is limited, so a hat, water and sunscreen make life easier. Parking on nearby streets fills quickly on sunny weekends; the ferry to Manly and a short stroll along the path is the stress free option. Leave nothing but footprints, give the wildlife space and linger a little after your swim. Watching the colour of the bay shift while you warm up on the rocks is half the joy of Shelly.

Shelly beach was a great spot to swim! There are great shower and bathroom facilities just next to the beach, and the water was lovely. Lots of snorkelers, surfers and swimmers around.

Beautiful small sheltered beach. Clean. Outdoor shower & tap to rinse off.

Amazing beach, very busy, but have beautiful places for eat, swing and snorkeling

Thank you to the ❤️ gentleman who was the last to leave Shelly Beach after the rain, and to the ❤️ young people on Marine Parade who were watching from the shore around 4pm on Jan 4, 2026, when I was afraid I might drown. Shelly Beach looks calm, but today my snorkelling experience turned scary. ❗️After being in the water for over an hour, I was already tired but stayed a bit longer. When it started raining, people quickly left the beach and the water. While swimming back, I drifted off course, the water beneath me became deeper, my mask flooded, and a wave hit me — I swallowed seawater. ❗️I suddenly realised I was alone in the water. I was exhausted, my snorkel had fallen off and broken, and I started floating on my back because I was afraid my legs might cramp. At that moment, there were almost no people left, and I knew the situation could get bad. 📣I called out to people passing by, including a gentleman swimming nearby. I believe the young people on the shore also noticed something was wrong. 🥹Knowing that someone on shore was watching made a huge difference. I continued floating on my back toward the beach. It felt far away, I am worried I did not know how far. When the gentleman asked if I needed help and told me I could stand, I realised I had reached the sand. At the same time, my friend ran over with a life vest. 🙏I didn’t get a chance to properly thank everyone, I truly appreciate you. I’m leaving Sydney in two days, and this was my third visit to Manly — a close call, gratefully finally a safe one. I hope you see this and feel my gratitude. At the time, I could only manage a brief thank you. ——— 🦺To other visitors: don’t stay too long, don’t be the last to leave, and leave early when the weather changes — even calm seas can be unpredictable. Grateful and safe.

We love the walk along Manly beach and around to Shelly Beach when we visit. Good coffee and lunch options there. Sometimes we snorkel and enjoy the large variety of fish well worth seeing in the water along from the walkway

Quality/Quantity - What a cool place to hang out! Glad we came on a Monday, but still crazy busy. Fairly Bower Rock Pool - Cool! Check out the pictures, as usual the pictures do NOT do the pool and area justice. Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Manly Scenic Walkways - Do remember that "freak" waves can come any time and hit you while walking the pathway. Small cafe; I did not visit. Good for scuba diving and snorkeling - A maximum depth of 12 meters. We saw many classes out there teaching and training locals and tourists. Atmosphere - Lizard and bird (turkey) friendly, see pictures. Art, statues, educational information, etc. along the walking paths. Pedestrian friendly, no/restricted bikes allowed on many paths. In the main town, there is plenty of shopping, eating, and people watching. Pay parking lots. Service - Quick easy ferry from and to Manly. Much easier than driving. Express ferries are also available for a little more $$. "Smart beach" - See picture for definition. There are public toilets and showers, but there was a long line the entire time we were there. So they need more... Price - Beach - Free. Everything else is tourist prices, LOL. Owner Comment - Thanks for such a great visit!

A little bit of a walk from Manly beach. Just follow the sea wall. It's a lot calmer for swimming, snorkeling, just getting your toes wet. The area between the two beaches is a protested reef. So be mindful. The sand did have bit of shells and ocean debris. There was also some beer caps floating around, so just be wary where you walk. If you're looking for a nice shaded spot, bring your own or relax by the side where the trees are. The do have public showers, toilets, rinse off area and a filtered water station. Plus a nice beachside cafe for your dinning pleasures. Took a lot of great photos, but do respect the signs and the law. And clean up after yourselves.

Shelly Beach is a secluded cove beach that is close to the main beach in the area, Manly Beach. To reach this beach, there is a beach walk that you take to get here. As you walk on Marine Parade (street name), you will encounter many rock formations on land and by the water. The beach itself is sheltered as Lindsay C. writes. It also has a lot more coverage as there are trees to provide shade. There is sand here, but also some grassy areas the further back you go in the beach. It is a nice place to have a picnic on the nice day as there are some tables. If you want to dine at a restaurant, there are a few places in the area along with small shops. As for amenities, it seems to have the usual ones that you would expect at a beach like this. Though I did also see a water filling station that you can fill your bottles using which was interesting. If you are looking for a more relaxed option to the larger Manly Beach nearby, check out Shelly Beach which is a short walk away.

Definitely one of my favorite beaches!! We took the fast ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and then walked to manly beach and did the coastal walk to Shelly Beach. Such a gorgeous walk and there's a pool along the beach which was stunning!! Would highly recommend this beach over Bondi!!

One of my favorite beaches in Sydney. If you have the time, do the walk from Manly Beach. It's a beautiful stroll and you can even take a dip in the sea pool on the way. What do I like about Shelly Beach? For starters, there is some decent snorkeling as well as scuba diving. Lots of baby cuttlefish like to hang out here. Did you know that cuttlefish are one of the most intelligent invertebrates in the ocean? It doesn't have large swell, which is nice if you have small kids or if you don't like taking a beating when out in the ocean. If you surf, there is a decent wave out on the Bower depending on the swell. I think it is more suited towards long boarders. I don't know if it is sharky or not. However, my sis-in-law was swimming between the points across the cove, and her foot whacked a large, solid, fishy thing. Totally scared her!

Toss some sand and seashells in a mortar and pestle, and whaddya get? Shelly beach! Whilst Manly Beach is more of a traditional beach with waves, lifeguards and soft sand, Shelly beach offers a very different experience. First off it's much quieter. Being somewhat secluded around a path or two, means that the majority of peeps either don't know its there or aren't willing to walk the small distance to get to it, because Manly beach is right in front of them. Don't get me wrong though, even during the week the beach is going to be busy. The ocean atmosphere here is a lot more kid-friendly, with gentler waves, making it much easier for parents to monitor. For the sun-bakers there are spots amongst the rocks or in the general concourse area of the beach itself. You'll see a number of snorkel types exploring a little further out, and that's what makes this little gem so special - you can do a lot here. Eye-candy-wise this is the place to be. James Bond types emerging from the water, and stunning European models parading their fantastic bodies. Hungry bums are prevalent here. There is also a park behind the beach. Extra style points: If you are able to find the little figurines! Bonus bonus points: If you can find the iguana.

Finally walked over from Manley while enjoying the sunset. Just read Ben B's review and it's prefect. Just read that :) There's cute little statues on the way as well!

Shelley Beach is Manly's little sister, the one you never really paid that much attention to until she grew up and you realise she's all sorts of hot. Yeah so that ended up sounding pretty creepy in a pervy uncle kind of way and I immediately regret writing it, but it doesn't change the fact the Shelley is small and gorgeous and the water is as calm and clear as anything, it's cracking for snorkelling and diving and swimming and paddling out to the rocks on the right and basking and exploring and finding shells and crabs and urchins and fish in the shallow rockpools, or lolling on a Lilo (hi Lindsay!) and looking up at all the big houses and playing the "If I Could Have Any Mansion..." game. If you're skurred of the water you can lounge lizard-style on the grass and fry up some meat on the BBQs. There's a down side, of course. On weekends the parking sucks and it's pretty packed, a massive pain the a$$, but when you eventually get settled.... well, it's all worth it now, isn't it?

There are beaches, and then there are beaches. This place is, in a word, stunning. Best of all, given its somewhat protected location, you are protected from the hordes of people who take over Manly beach. Unfortunately this piece of paradise does come with a cost (especially if you park in the council car park). If you do end up parking there, do not think you can get away without paying. It seems to me that the parking officers live there, as they were constantly wandering around. If you are on a limited timeline though, make sure to drop by the car park and have a glimpse from the lookout (located right at the car park) for a, yup... here it comes again, stunning view of the cliffs overlooking some of the best beaches Sydney has to offer. This place is awesome. Check it out.

Tucked away from the noise and crowds of Manly is Shelly Beach. Once you see Manly beach in front of you, turn right and walk for about ten minutes. It's actually a really nice walk. Once you get to Shelly, you'll notice that it's quite secluded, and almost feels like an island beach. The waters here are quite calm, due to reefs that offer some protection from the large ocean waves. Although I came to the beach just to relax on the sand, there are barbeques for public use, as well as lavatories and showers. The facilities are pretty clean. Since it's a relatively small beach, it can get quite packed on weekends, so make sure to get there early, especially if you're looking for parking near the beach. If you get sick of sitting on the beach, there's a little bush trail that provides stunning vistas of Manly and the ocean. When I was here, there were many snorkelers and scuba divers taking advantage of the tranquil conditions. There's supposed to be a nice variety of marine life within the shallow depths around Shelly Beach.

If there is such a place as heaven, it must look a great deal like Shelly Beach. South of Manly Beach, Shelly Beach is protected by a headland from the waves that draw surfers to the mecca of Manly. Shelly has a great little reef that a whole lots of colourful fish, large and small, call home. Consequentially, it's a popular spot with scuba divers and snorkelers in the summer time. Shelly Beach can be accessed by car - but be warned, street parking is near impossible to find on summer weekends, and the council carpark requires the insertion of A LOT of coins or a Manly Council Permit. A much better way to access friendly Shelley Beach is on foot; the walk from Manly Life Saving Club takes fifteen or twenty minutes, and is a great look at all walks of life. Brazilian backpackers chattering away in Portuguese - tick! Yummy mummies running with the pram - tick! Lovebirds slowly meandering around the headland - tick! Fitness fanatics and their unfortunate pet dogs - tick! Shelly Beach is a beautiful spot for a late-afternoon picnic, a sunrise stroll or a lazy weekend wander. It's popular with families, because of the absence of waves. But don't be fooled - young people also flock to Shelly Beach to sit and watch the world go by. A beautiful beach with a beautiful view.

Beautiful beach. It is so well kept. There are large, clean restrooms, out side showers, a good pathway for all walkers. There are benches for changing. It is very safe. I went Scuba diving here and left my bag on the beach. It was in touched. the beach was beautiful. Weekends were much busier than days, normal. Everyone is friendly. There are beautiful paths to walk around with great views! The is ideal place for vacationing if you want to have a beautiful beach, lots of choices to eat, path, shopping and close to the boat trollies.

Lovely little beach in Manly. It's shallower and more sheltered than sprawling Manly Beach and is a popular scuba diving and snorkelling site as well as great for a paddle in the calmer waters and relaxing on the shore. There's also a walking trail that begins at the rear of the beach that heads up and around the rocky headland and gives great elevated views.

Love this place! The walk from manly was so easy and the beach was less crowded. It was nice to watch the surfers in the break. As well as all of the pools - so cool! A must if you're on the beach in manly

I love Shelly Beach. I am surprised how quiet it is here! It's only a short walk away from Manly and the walk was gorgeous! I especially love the pool midway! Shelly's actually my favorite out of the three beaches (Bondi, Manly, Shelly) I visited this trip! Wear one of those rubber shoes and your feet will thank you after walking on those shelly sand!

This tiny beach is surprisingly nice! The water is amazingly calm and clear thanks to the west facing beach making it great for snorkeling. There's relatively affordable parking near by but you'll have to get in early on the weekends or be prepared to wait. $16 all day parking. It's named Shelly Beach for a reason...the sand is more whole shells than broken, fine pieces. It was painful for my tender feet, but if you're fine walking on hot asphalt or gravel, unlike me, you'll be good on this beach! It's a nice stroll to Manly wharf so get a parking spot nice and early then head over to Manly for some breakfast!

Sydney's very own Watego's in this exclusive alcove at the protected southern end of Manly. The water is consistently emerald and it's a haven for divers and snorklers. In fact you'll feel as though you've landed right bang smack inside some picture perfect postcard. A day here is so relaxing it feels like a two week holiday, and I always return to the East feeling like a brand new woman. BYO snorkling gear and get up close and personal with the local marine life. Fish galore guaranteed. It's my first swim of the season, and I spot a wobbygong - my first ever... but the gropers are feeling shy today. That's okay. I've got all summer. Walk around the coastal path and grab a Toby's Estate coffee, or venture off the beach and explore the stunning coastal bushland. It's a family haven here, yet romantic as it gets... so bring your significant other if you have one. A cheap, accessible place to escape the big smoke without even leaving.

Another place that is very serene and beautiful during the week, but a bit crazy at the weekend... make it a weekday if you can...

Shelly Beach is hands down the most beautiful beach I have ever encountered. I have always heard about how gorgeous it is, but you honestly just have to see it for yourself! It is a very kid friendly pool with little to no waves. There are also ocean pools on the way if you want something a little more secluded. I plan to make weekly visits to this little piece of paradise.