Water play and swimming for kids in Sydney's Northern Beaches

Water play

56 places to cool off across the region: water parks, pools, beaches, lakes and swimming spots, nearest first from Dee Why. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.

Everything on the map

Over the border

Central Coast NSW →Sydney City & the Eastern Suburbs →Sydney's North Shore →

Nearest first, from Dee Why

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Beaches and islands

3 km ocean beach patrolled by three surf lifesaving clubs, a short ferry ride from the city and a popular place to learn to surf.

about 5 min

Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0

North Narrabeen Beach

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve

Calm, sheltered bay south of Manly Beach, popular with families with small children; snorkel the Cabbage Tree Bay marine sanctuary, free electric barbecues.

about 10 min

Photo: Hardlinerr, CC BY-SA 4.0

Middle Harbour beach with a netted swimming area, big grassy reserve, playground, kiosk, toilets and showers.

about 10 min

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/md111/, CC BY-SA 2.0

Calm Pittwater beach with a grassy picnic area and barbecues; not patrolled.

about 20 min

Photo: Poyt448 Peter Woodard, Public domain

Quiet Pittwater-side beach with calm water beside Governor Phillip Park; no lifeguard.

about 25 min

Beach

Resolute Beach

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Secluded Pittwater beach reached on foot by the Resolute Track from Resolute picnic area, or by boat; no bins, take rubbish home.

about 25 min

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Waterfalls, lakes and swimming

Swimming spot

Dee Why Rock Pool

50 m pool and a toddlers' area at the southern end of Dee Why Beach, with accessible toilets and showers.

under 5 min

Photo: jiulong, CC BY-SA 2.0

Swimming spot

North Curl Curl Rock Pool

25 m pool near the end of the headland; at high tide it can only be reached by the coastal walk.

under 5 min

Swimming spot

Collaroy Rock Pool

Ocean pool at the southern end of Collaroy Beach with easy access for people with disability.

under 5 min

Photo: MeraVagahau, CC BY-SA 4.0

Swimming spot

South Curl Curl Rock Pool

50 m pool plus a toddlers' area, with toilets, showers and parking nearby.

under 5 min

Swimming spot

Freshwater Rock Pool

50 m ocean pool at the northern end of Freshwater Beach.

about 5 min

Swimming spot

Queenscliff Rock Pool

50 m pool at the northern end of Manly Beach with a widened ramp from the sand.

about 5 min

Pool

Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Aquatic Centre

Manly Warringah War Memorial Park

Freshwater lake in bushland at Manly Vale for swimming, walks and mountain biking; car entry from King Street, pay-and-display parking.

about 5 min

Photo: CamV8, CC BY-SA 4.0

Pool

Warringah Aquatic Centre

Allambie Heights

about 5 min

Swimming spot

Fairy Bower Rock Pool

20 m rock pool on Marine Parade on the walk from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach.

about 10 min

Photo: Hardlinerr, CC BY-SA 4.0

Swimming spot

Forty Baskets Beach

Small beach on the Spit to Manly walk with an enclosed harbour swimming area, pier, barbecues and swings; no lifeguards.

about 10 min

Photo: MD111, CC BY-SA 2.0

Swimming spot

North Narrabeen Rock Pool

50 m pool at the lagoon entrance, with a timber boardwalk separating the lap pool from the rest.

about 10 min

Pool

Killarney Heights Carlisle Swimming

Two pools at the northern end of the beach: one for toddlers and a 30 m pool for bigger kids and adults.

about 15 min

Photo: Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0

Swimming spot

Newport Rock Pool

50 m pool with a natural rock floor at the southern end of Newport Beach.

about 15 min

Photo: Collywolly, CC BY-SA 4.0

Swimming spot

Bilgola Rock Pool

Eight-lane, 50 m pool at the southern end of Bilgola Beach.

about 20 min

Swimming spot

Avalon Rock Pool

Ocean pool at the southern end of Avalon Beach with change rooms and toilets; pay-and-display parking.

about 20 min

Swimming spot

Whale Beach Rock Pool

25 m pool at the southern end of Whale Beach, with change rooms and toilets.

about 25 min

Swimming spot

Palm Beach Rock Pool

50 m pool at the southern end of Palm Beach, off Ocean Road, with change rooms and toilets.

about 25 min

Also in this region, more than 4 hours from Dee Why

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (by ferry from Palm Beach, or a 2.8 km walk from the West Head Road car park): The Basin

Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.

Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.