Page 58 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

56  INTRODUCING SY DNEY

Sydney’s Beaches

As Sydney is a city built around the water, it is no wonder that
many of its recreational activities involve the sand, sea and sun.
There are many harbour and surf beaches in Sydney, most of
them accessible by bus (see p236). Even if you’re not a swimmer,
the beaches offer a chance to just relax and enjoy the fresh air
and coastal way of life.
A group of scuba divers preparing to enter
do not take kindly to “intruders” the water at Gordons Bay
Swimming who drop in on their waves or
Harbour beaches such as Camp leave litter on their beaches. To Scuba Diving
Cove, Shark Bay and Balmoral hire a surfboard, try Bondi Surf
Beach are generally smaller and Co on Campbell Parade, Bondi There are some excellent dive
more sheltered than the ocean Beach, or Aloha Surf on Pittwater spots around Sydney. More
beaches. The latter have surf Road, Manly. If you would like to favoured spots are Gordons Bay,
lifesavers in distinctive red and learn, try surf schools such as Shelly Beach, and Camp Cove.
yellow caps. Surf lifesaving Manly Surf School and Lets Go Pro Dive Coogee offers a
carnivals are held throughout Surfing at Bondi Beach. They also complete range of courses,
summer. Check Surf Life Saving hire out boards and wetsuits. escorted dives, introductory
NSW for a calendar of events. The dives for beginners, and hire
Beachsafe website has informa­ Windsurfing and Sailing equipment. Dive Centre
tion on facilities, weather condi­ Manly also runs courses and
tions and lifesaving services. Sydney has locations suitable introductory dives, hires out
District councils also provide for every level of windsurfer. equipment and conducts
their own lifeguards, who wear Boards can be hired from boat dives seven days a week.
blue uniforms. Rules about Balmoral Sailing School at
swimming are rigorously Balmoral Beach. Good spots DIRECTORY
enforced, so try to familiarize include Palm Beach, Narrabeen
yourself with beach signage. Lakes, La Perouse, Brighton­Le­ Balmoral Sailing School
The beaches can sometimes Sands and Kurnell Point (for Balmoral Park, The Esplanade,
become polluted, especially beginner and intermediate Mosman. Tel 9960 5344.
∑ sailingschool.com.au
after heavy rain. Find up­to­date boarders) and Long Reef Beach,
details at Beach Watch and Palm Beach and Collaroy (for the Beach Watch and Harbour
Harbour Watch Information. more experienced windsurfer). Watch Information
One of the best (though expen­ ∑ environment.nsw.gov.au/
beach
sive) ways to see the harbour
Surfing Beachsafe
is while sailing. A sailing boat,
Surfing is more a way of life than including a skipper, can be hired ∑ beachsafe.org.au
a leisure activity for some Sydney­ for the afternoon from the East Dive Centre Manly
siders. Beginners can try Bondi, Sail sailing club. If you’d like to 10 Belgrave St, Manly.
Bronte, Palm Beach or Collaroy. learn how to sail, the sailing club Tel 9977 4355.
Two of the best surf beaches has two­day courses and also ∑ divesydney.com.au
are Maroubra and Narrabeen. hires out sailing boats and motor East Sail
Bear in mind that local surfers cruisers to experienced sailors. d’Albora Marinas, New Beach Rd,
Rushcutters Bay. Tel 9327 1166.
∑ eastsail.com.au
Lets Go Surfing
128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi.
Tel 9365 1800.
∑ letsgosurfing.com.au
Manly Surf School
North Steyne Rd, Manly.
Tel 9932 7000.
∑ manlysurfschool.com.au
Pro Dive Coogee
27 Alfreda St, Coogee. Tel 9665
6333. ∑ prodivesydney.com
Surf Life Saving NSW
Tel 9471 8000.
∑ surflifesaving.com.au
Rock baths and surf lifesaving club at Coogee Beach

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