This is my husband’s favourite beach for a family visit. He packs up the twins, scooters, a teen or two and a couple of boogie boards and off they go.
The playground on the reserve is great and I must and shall put up a photo of it. My own fave bit about Dee Why is the strip of great cafes and restaurants, so many cool places.
Dee Why Beach
The Strand Dee Why 2099
Dee Why is a famous surf beach and there are regularly surfers out looking for waves to catch.
The beach is long, with a reserve and a small promenade which is easily accessible for strollers.
The flags are usually out in front of the surf-lifesaving club on the beach, but the best spot for little tiddlers is down at the extreme southern end by the point at the two ocean pools.
One of the pools is designed just for children, it’s well kept with plenty of shallow water for splashing around. This toddler pool is one of the best in Sydney.
It’s easy to push a stroller along to the pool and there’s plenty of space to sit down and to change.
Cafes: Several cafes on The Strand, opposite the beach
Toilets: Toilets, showers and change rooms at the northern end of the surf-lifesaving club; toilets at the ocean pools; and groovy open showers on the promenade
Shade: None on the beach or at the pools, but shade from trees on the reserve
Playground: Excellent, fenced playground at south end of the reserve near rock pool
Ocean pool: Yes, adult and children’s pools
Shark net: No
Mum’s report: The children’s rockpool is delightful and generally in immaculate condition; we spend loads of time there and would stay all day if there was a bit of shade. The views from the rockpool are just wonderful. What we usually do is spend the morning at the pool and then eat lunch in the shade at the playground.
Extra: The James Meehan Reserve playground is a walk away
Map reference: Gregory’s 259 A6, Sydway 239 J6, UBD 178 F6
Parking: Street parking, and a pay carpark behind the surf-lifesaving club
Bus stop nearby: Yes

My younger three children have taken up leaping from dizzying heights onto the sand at Dee Why – no injuries so far.
Have you visited Dee Why?
Which of the fabby cafes on The Strand do you find best for families?