Enjoy your summer without compromising on social distancing!

Everyone knows all the busy beaches near Sydney –Bondi, Coogee, Manly – but the best ones are the quiet ones, tucked away from all the hustle and bustle. Especially in these COVID times! When you need some glorious sun and surf without being overloaded by tourists, try our selection of the 9 best quiet and secluded beaches around Sydney.

Some of them may require a trek, but that’s the price to pay for silence, space and undisturbed views.

So come on, grab your beach towel and sunscreen and let’s get you some sun…

Chinamans Beach, Mosman

A kilometre west of Washaway Beach and just south of the Spit Bridge is Chinamans Beach, a quiet and relaxing spot during the week. On weekends – especially warm weekends – this beach can overload with families within the vicinity, but at any other time, the crowds are small and quaint. Perhaps the reason why it’s not so popular is due to the lack of eateries in the area, so be sure to pack your own lunch!

Washaway Beach, Grotto Point

The name is literal because if you arrive at high tide you won’t see it. But when the waters are low, Washaway Beach becomes a beautiful oasis. Of course, you must be prepared for a bit of climbing, as the only way onto the beach is down a rock face, where there is thankfully a carved-in “ladder”. Not to mention the trek from either Spit Bridge or Manly to get there! Be warned, though, Washaway Beach is unofficially a nude beach.

Congwong and Little Congwong Beach, La Perouse

As with Chinamans Beach, Congwong Beach and indeed Little Congwong Beach can get busy on the warmer weekends – more so on Sunday, it seems. But, during the week, it’s as cool as a cucumber, offering uninterrupted views of Kamay Botany Bay National Park, and perhaps a few planes taking off in the distance. Of course, Little Congwong is prone to nudity, even though it’s not officially recognised by the local council. But don’t worry, you don’t have to strip off if you don’t want to!

Jibbon Beach, Bundeena

It’s quite safe to say that if you’re looking for peace and quiet on a beautiful beach, you’ll need to head outside of the city limits to find it. Jibbon Beach, for instance, is a gorgeous 800-metre stretch of sand and sea, sitting just south of Cronulla. You could drive here, but you can also leave the car at home and catch a ferry from Cronulla Wharf to Bundeena and walk there. While you’re there, consider hiking to Jibbon Head for a photo opportunity and don’t forget to support the local eateries of Bundeena on your way home.

Marley Beach, Royal National Park

We did say that some of these beaches may require a trek, and this is one of them. Marley Beach is located on the south coast, offering two options to get there that both require a bit of leg work. You could drive along Bundeena Road and stop at the designated parking lot and walk, or (as we recommend) getting off at Bundeena Wharf and take the scenic route along the coast. The second option is simply lush, with a few photo opportunities along the way.

Store Beach, Manly

Out of all the beaches on this list, Store Beach would have to be the most interesting to get to. Because you can’t simply walk there. If you want to get to this beach, you’ll need a floatation device. We recommend hiring a kayak in Manly (or bring your own) and coursing along the coastline. But, be warned though, weekends could see a lot of boats hovering nearby.

Turimetta Beach, Warriewood

As we’ve noted before, the best secluded and quiet beaches are outside the city limits. But, just like Turimetta Beach in the Northern Beaches, they are totally worth the trip! One of the greatest selling points for Turimetta Beach is how picturesque it is thanks to the awesome rock formations on the southern and northern end. While here, consider a little trek around Turimetta Head on the northern end for a few nice lookouts.

Reef Beach, Balgowlah Heights

Reef Beach is on the Manly to Spit Bridge track and is not hard to miss (unlike Washaway Beach). It’s a cute and quaint beach, with soothing waters to splash in and not much of a crowd during the week. Of course, weekends can bring revellers, so we do recommend sticking to the warm weekdays. Trust us, there’s no greater reason to ask your boss for a day off!

Milk Beach, Vaucluse 

In the stunning suburb of Vaucluse is a small public beach that could easily be misconstrued as private. It sits along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, boasting one of the most vibrant views of Sydney Harbour and the jagged skyline beside it. In fact, many of the small beaches along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk showcase a great view. Indeed, as with a few of the other beaches on this list, we much recommend a weekday trip, as the weekends can bring the crowds.

Needing a proper holiday with plenty of beaches to sink into? Consider a Weekender in Palm Beach, New South Wales. And don’t forget that with summer comes harsh rays. So look after your skin and slip, slop, slap with these 10 Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Brands for Summer.