Little Manly Beach: Gorgeous Kid Friendly Sydney Harbour Beach

little manly beach
Little Manly Beach and its swimming enclosure, seen from Stuart Street

Just across the peninsula from the world-famous surfing mecca Manly Beach you can find the delicious little harbour beach known as either Little Manly Cove or Little Manly Beach.

There’s no surf on this side so it is terrific for families with young children, very safe. And for adults there are excellent views of yachts, of the many small peninsulas jutting into the Harbour and of multi-million dollar mansions.

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New netted enclosure at Little Manly Cove, snorkel along it to see if you can spot any seahorses

Little Manly Beach’s sharkproof swimming enclosure had a complete makeover in 2020, but it doesn’t look too different really. The netting is now made of rope, but the jumping platform and the narrow walkway to it are much the same.

Little Manly Beach has a rocky headland to explore, with dear little rock pools. There’s also great little café/kiosk right at the beach, selling coffees, drinks and takeaway grub. Perfect!

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Looking north from the shark net. Would love to live right over there!
little manly beach on a sunny day shark net
Little Manly Beach on a sunny day, my four kids and I have had many happy days here

 

Little Manly Beach (or Cove!)

Stuart Street, Manly 2095

Call cafe on 99777104 9am – 2pm

Beachsafe website info here.

You know a beach is top for tots when there’s a toddler-sized toilet in the change block.

Little Manly Cove has a compact beach below the level of the road and a small reserve between the road and the beach. The swimming enclosure takes up half the beach and its shallow waters are generally awash with babies and toddlers.

There is shade on the sand in the mornings and the rocky ledges on the southern end of the beach are good for exploring. The kiosk can provide food and drink, the views over the eastern suburbs and Mosman are provided gratis.

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We love exploring along the rocky side, you never know what you might find in the rock pools

Cafes: Kiosk/cafe is open daily, read more and see photos here

Toilets: Showers, toilets and changing block by the kiosk

Shade: Some on the beach, a little on the reserve. This is an unusual Sydney beach in that it faces west, so it can be very hot in the afternoon.

Playground: Two swings only but Little Manly Point playground is a walk away, up lots of steps

Shark net: Yes

Mum’s report: Great in the mornings and late afternoons, and small enough to let the children wander freely

Extra: Heaps to do in Manly!, read our full post on Manly here.

Parking: Street parking on Stuart Street and a carpark at Little Manly Point Park. Get there early as parking can be busy.

Nearest ferry: Manly Wharf is a good 20–30 minute walk away with some hilly streets in between

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Little Manly Beach is great to visit in any season, summer is busiest of course. This photo was taken on a quiet autumn day.

Little Manly Beach map

Can you bear to look at any more photos? Forgive me, it’s just that we have adored this little beach and taken so many photos over the years.

little manly cove sydney ws
Little Manly Cove Sydney
Little Manly Cove Sydney
Little Manly Cove Sydney
Jumping off the bollards at Little Manly is a teenage rite of passage
Little Manly Cove Sydney
Check out many more kid friendly Sydney beaches here.

 Are you a harbour beach family or an ocean beach family?

Or do you not care so long as there’s a cafe or kiosk right there?!

Little Manly Cove rock pools
Lovely places to explore at the south end of the beach

 
Find lovely places to stay in Manly with kids on this post.

Here are some photos of my kids mucking around, they’re all good swimmers and love leaping in and out from the shark net these days.

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little manly beach kids jump in from shark net

 

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