South Curl Curl has a special wee place in my heart. My big boys used to do Nippers there every Sunday when they were little.
Nippers is such a great way to force yourself up and out of the house on a Sunday morning, and down to the briny ocean.
We had many, many happy days at the rock pool and the beach.
But then there was so much Saturday sport, and we just needed a break from early starts seven days a week. So it was no more Nippers for us.
So we just go to South Curl Curl for fun now. It’s become a favourite place for Paul and I to escape to as well, for swims, coffees, walks and just staring at the ocean.
South Curl Curl Beach
Carrington Parade, Curl Curl 2096
Curl Curl is a classic northern beaches ocean beach, backed by scrub-covered sand dunes with a reserve behind the dunes. At the southern end of South Curl Curl beach is the huge rock pool, which is a short, easy walk along a path from the carpark.
The pool is divided into a lap section and a shallower section for children, and there’s a large rock platform in the middle. This is a terrific rock pool for kids, for playing and splashing, as well as swimming.
Nearby on the beach are rocky areas that are excellent for exploring. The beach is also fairly sheltered at this end and so you’ll see many young families there, beach tents up.
Of course, when the waves are big, you need to be terribly careful at the rock pool, and it’s also important to keep an eye on wandering children as there are very appealing cliffs and rock platforms to the south.
Cafes: Kiosk and cafe at beautiful art deco South Curl Curl Surf Lifesaving Club. Read a post about the cafe, Gusto On the Beach, here.
Toilets: Toilet, shower and change block at SLSC and also at the rock pool
Shade: None on the beach, one bench under shade by the rock pool
Playground: No
Ocean pool: Yes, excellent for children
Shark net: No
Mum’s report: If the rock pool was shaded we’d never go anywhere else!
Extra: The lovely wooden boardwalk that stretches along the cliffside all the way to the headland at Frreshwater. Nippers of course, at South Curl Curl SLSC.
Parking: Pay car park beside surf-lifesaving club off Carrington, also parking along Carrington Parade.
Bus stop nearby: Yes
Make a day trip: By visiting the equally gorgeous North Curl Curl beach and rock pool with its excellent secret cave.
Dogs can run freely on the sand dunes at Curl Curl, read more in the book Great Sydney Dog Walks.
So shall we meet for a swim at South Curl Curl, summer or winter?
A coffee afterwards to warm up?
My kids have splashing and swum here all year round. Even winter’s days can be warm enough.
Hooray for the great outdoors!
