Swimming at Manly Beach is a must do for all visitors to Sydney! Apart from Bondi Beach, Sydney is also home to another world-class beach that regularly attracts thousands of visitors from different parts of the globe. Manly Beach is considered one of Australia's greatest treasures and if you're looking for a fun and exciting day with your family, mates, or that special someone, pack your swim trunks and be sure to pay this beautiful place a visit.

A Quick Look at Manly Beach's History

If you're not from Sydney, you're probably wondering why Manly Beach is named as such. Well, historical records have it that Manly Beach got its name from Captain Arthur Phillip, the first governor of New South Wales. In 1788, Captain Phillip visited the area and it was said that he was greatly impressed by the "confidence and manly behaviour" of the area's native inhabitants. To honour them, therefore, Captain Phillip decided to name the area "Manly" and thus, Manly Beach was born. Over time, Manly Beach has become one of the most popular suburban beaches in NSW and every year, thousands of people flock to the beach to enjoy the sun and the beach's golden sands and cool water.

Swimming at Manly Beach

To get there, you can take the Manly ferry from Circular Quay. It will only take you about half an hour to reach your destination. Also, on your way to Manly, you'll get an awesome view of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Nestled between the tranquil Sydney Harbour beach and the Pacific Ocean surf, Manly Beach makes you feel you're not in Sydney at all because of its very laid-back atmosphere. Stretching one and a half kilometres long, the Beach offers sheltered ocean pool at one end, which makes swimming at Manly Beach perfect for kids too. Manly Beach is also perfect for people watching. If you want to see strappy men in their swimwear and women in their beautiful bikinis, then this is a great place to do it. Manly Beach also has numerous attractions that you can visit. For instance, surrounding the beach are many of the city's beautiful bushwalks, bike-riding paths and historical sites. The palm-tree lined Manly Corso also leads you to Steyne promenade, where you can buy a number of shops that sell almost everything. If you can't get enough of the beach, there are many water sports and activities that you can participate in. For instance, you can surf. At the northern end of Manly Beach is Queenscliff headland, where you can find an offshore submerged reef, or bombora, that creates the kind of waves that would make any surfer happy. Manly Beach is also an excellent place to learn scuba diving. Dive Centre Manly offers scuba diving lessons for beginners. There are also guided dives for certified divers. If you want to go snorkelling, take a short stroll south from the Corso to the gorgeous Shelly Beach. So what are you waiting for? Pack your swim trunks now and head over to Manly Beach to have some fun under the sun. Be sure to check out more of our best Australian beaches. - Bondi Joe