Travellers’ Guide: Sydney’s safest beaches with protection from sharks

• A recent shark attack on Sydney’s Northern Beaches sent shockwaves through the swimming and surfing communities.
• But swimming in Sydney is still relatively safe.
• Here is a list of beaches with shark nets and patrols.

Shark attacks spark world wide headlines and cast a shadow over Sydney’s favourite summer pastimes – surfing and swimming.

For many, the allure of Bondi, Manly, and Coogee is a highlight of their trip to Sydney — but news of shark activity understandably raises concerns.

So it may surprise you to learn that Sydney remains one of the safest cities in the world to enjoy ocean swimming, provided you follow local advice and understand where shark nets are in place.

Beaches with shark nets in Sydney

New South Wales operates a Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program across 51 beaches from Newcastle to Wollongong, including the most popular stretches of sand in Sydney. The nets are in the water seasonally, typically from September through to the end of March, and are designed to reduce the risk of dangerous shark encounters.

But it’s important to note what they are — and what they’re not.

Each net is a single mesh panel, around 150 metres long and six metres deep, set offshore. They are not complete barriers; rather, they are positioned to reduce shark numbers close to shore. Only part of a beach is netted, and with Sydney’s beaches often stretching for hundreds of metres or more, the system reduces, but does not eliminate, the possibility of an encounter.

On the Northern Beaches, nets are installed at Palm, Whale, Avalon, Bilgola, Newport, Mona Vale, Warriewood, Narrabeen (both North and main), Dee Why, Curl Curl, Freshwater, Queenscliff, North Steyne, and Manly.

The stretch is famous for its surf culture, but not every beach is protected. Long Reef, where the recent attack occurred, is one of the unmeshed beaches, as is nearby Little Narrabeen.

In the Eastern Suburbs, Sydney’s most famous tourist beaches are protected: Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, and Maroubra all have nets in place. The one exception in this stretch is Tamarama, a small but popular cove that does not feature in the meshing program.

Further south, in the Sutherland Shire, nets cover Cronulla, North Cronulla, Elouera, Wanda, Wattamolla, and Garie. These are popular with local families, surfers, and day-trippers heading south from the city.

Staying safe in Sydney’s surf

For first-time visitors, the mention of sharks can sound alarming. In reality, rips and surf conditions pose far greater risks to beachgoers than marine life. Surf Life Saving NSW, the volunteer organisation that patrols Sydney’s beaches, performs thousands of rescues each year, and the majority are rip-related. Sharks, while headline-grabbing, account for a tiny fraction of incidents.

1. Swim between the flags

Every patrolled beach in Sydney has two red-and-yellow flags placed by lifeguards each day. These flags mark the safest area to swim — away from rips and other hazards. Lifeguards keep watch over these flagged zones and can respond instantly in the event of trouble. If you’re new to Sydney, the single best safety tip is simple: never swim outside the flags.

2. Use safety apps and updates

Technology has transformed beach safety in recent years. The SharkSmart app, operated by NSW government, provides real-time updates on tagged shark detections, drone sightings, and beach closures. The Beachsafe app, maintained by Surf Life Saving, gives daily risk ratings for surf conditions, patrol times, and details on rips at specific beaches. Before heading out, locals check these apps the way others check the weather. Travellers can do the same.

3. Be shark smart

The risk of shark encounters is already extremely low, but you can make it lower. Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, when visibility is reduced and many marine animals are feeding. Stay out of the water after heavy rain, which can wash debris and baitfish into the sea. Don’t swim near schools of fish or where people are fishing, and keep pets out of the surf. Lifeguards may close beaches if sharks are sighted — if you hear the siren or see people leaving the water, follow their lead.

4. Learn about rips — the real hazard

If there’s one piece of ocean knowledge to take away, it’s understanding rips. These fast-moving currents can pull swimmers away from shore. They often look like calm, deeper channels between breaking waves — deceptively inviting. If caught in one, don’t panic. Float to conserve energy, raise your arm to signal for help, and swim parallel to the beach until you reach breaking waves, then return to shore. Every lifeguard in Sydney is trained for these rescues, but self-awareness goes a long way.

5. Consider ocean pools and harbour baths

If the thought of swimming in open surf makes you nervous, Sydney offers dozens of spectacular ocean pools and harbour enclosures that combine safety with scenery. Bondi Icebergs is world-famous, Bronte Baths and Wylie’s Baths at Coogee are local treasures, and northern beaches like Collaroy and Mona Vale boast family-friendly rock pools. For calm waters, Balmoral and Nielsen Park in Sydney Harbour provide shark-netted swimming areas with picnic-friendly foreshores. These are perfect for travellers who want the Sydney swim experience without the surf.

Sharks may dominate the headlines, but Sydney’s beaches remain among the safest and most enjoyable in the world. Millions of swims take place every year without incident, thanks to vigilant lifeguards, safety nets, and growing use of technology like drones and real-time apps.

For travellers, the message is clear:

• Choose patrolled beaches and always swim between the flags.
• Check SharkSmart and Beachsafe for live updates.
• Know your limits — if surf looks rough, opt for a rock pool or harbour bath instead.

Sydney’s beaches are central to the city’s identity — a place where locals and visitors alike gather to swim, surf, and soak up the sunshine. With a little preparation and awareness, you can enjoy them just as safely as Sydneysiders do every day.