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Recommended Reviews - Shelly Beach
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Toss some sand and seashells in a mortar and pestle, and whaddya get? Shelly beach! Whilst Manly Beach is more of a traditional beach with waves, lifeguards and soft sand, Shelly beach offers a very different experience. First off it's much quieter. Being somewhat secluded around a path or two, means that the majority of peeps either don't know its there or aren't willing to walk the small distance to get to it, because Manly beach is right in front of them. Don't get me wrong though, even during the week the beach is going to be busy. The ocean atmosphere here is a lot more kid-friendly, with gentler waves, making it much easier for parents to monitor. For the sun-bakers there are spots amongst the rocks or in the general concourse area of the beach itself. You'll see a number of snorkel types exploring a little further out, and that's what makes this little gem so special - you can do a lot here. Eye-candy-wise this is the place to be. James Bond types emerging from the water, and stunning European models parading their fantastic bodies. Hungry bums are prevalent here. There is also a park behind the beach. Extra style points: If you are able to find the little figurines! Bonus bonus points: If you can find the iguana.
There are beaches, and then there are beaches. This place is, in a word, stunning. Best of all, given its somewhat protected location, you are protected from the hordes of people who take over Manly beach. Unfortunately this piece of paradise does come with a cost (especially if you park in the council car park). If you do end up parking there, do not think you can get away without paying. It seems to me that the parking officers live there, as they were constantly wandering around. If you are on a limited timeline though, make sure to drop by the car park and have a glimpse from the lookout (located right at the car park) for a, yup... here it comes again, stunning view of the cliffs overlooking some of the best beaches Sydney has to offer. This place is awesome. Check it out.
Tucked away from the noise and crowds of Manly is Shelly Beach. Once you see Manly beach in front of you, turn right and walk for about ten minutes. It's actually a really nice walk. Once you get to Shelly, you'll notice that it's quite secluded, and almost feels like an island beach. The waters here are quite calm, due to reefs that offer some protection from the large ocean waves. Although I came to the beach just to relax on the sand, there are barbeques for public use, as well as lavatories and showers. The facilities are pretty clean. Since it's a relatively small beach, it can get quite packed on weekends, so make sure to get there early, especially if you're looking for parking near the beach. If you get sick of sitting on the beach, there's a little bush trail that provides stunning vistas of Manly and the ocean. When I was here, there were many snorkelers and scuba divers taking advantage of the tranquil conditions. There's supposed to be a nice variety of marine life within the shallow depths around Shelly Beach.
If there is such a place as heaven, it must look a great deal like Shelly Beach. South of Manly Beach, Shelly Beach is protected by a headland from the waves that draw surfers to the mecca of Manly. Shelly has a great little reef that a whole lots of colourful fish, large and small, call home. Consequentially, it's a popular spot with scuba divers and snorkelers in the summer time. Shelly Beach can be accessed by car - but be warned, street parking is near impossible to find on summer weekends, and the council carpark requires the insertion of A LOT of coins or a Manly Council Permit. A much better way to access friendly Shelley Beach is on foot; the walk from Manly Life Saving Club takes fifteen or twenty minutes, and is a great look at all walks of life. Brazilian backpackers chattering away in Portuguese - tick! Yummy mummies running with the pram - tick! Lovebirds slowly meandering around the headland - tick! Fitness fanatics and their unfortunate pet dogs - tick! Shelly Beach is a beautiful spot for a late-afternoon picnic, a sunrise stroll or a lazy weekend wander. It's popular with families, because of the absence of waves. But don't be fooled - young people also flock to Shelly Beach to sit and watch the world go by. A beautiful beach with a beautiful view.
Lovely little beach in Manly. It's shallower and more sheltered than sprawling Manly Beach and is a popular scuba diving and snorkelling site as well as great for a paddle in the calmer waters and relaxing on the shore. There's also a walking trail that begins at the rear of the beach that heads up and around the rocky headland and gives great elevated views.
I love Shelly Beach. I am surprised how quiet it is here! It's only a short walk away from Manly and the walk was gorgeous! I especially love the pool midway! Shelly's actually my favorite out of the three beaches (Bondi, Manly, Shelly) I visited this trip! Wear one of those rubber shoes and your feet will thank you after walking on those shelly sand!
Quality/Quantity - What a cool place to hang out! Glad we came on a Monday, but still crazy busy. Fairly Bower Rock Pool - Cool! Check out the pictures, as usual the pictures do NOT do the pool and area justice. Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Manly Scenic Walkways - Do remember that "freak" waves can come any time and hit you while walking the pathway. Small cafe; I did not visit. Good for scuba diving and snorkeling - A maximum depth of 12 meters. We saw many classes out there teaching and training locals and tourists. Atmosphere - Lizard and bird (turkey) friendly, see pictures. Art, statues, educational information, etc. along the walking paths. Pedestrian friendly, no/restricted bikes allowed on many paths. In the main town, there is plenty of shopping, eating, and people watching. Pay parking lots. Service - Quick easy ferry from and to Manly. Much easier than driving. Express ferries are also available for a little more $$. "Smart beach" - See picture for definition. There are public toilets and showers, but there was a long line the entire time we were there. So they need more... Price - Beach - Free. Everything else is tourist prices, LOL. Owner Comment - Thanks for such a great visit! read more
A little bit of a walk from Manly beach. Just follow the sea wall. It's a lot calmer for swimming, snorkeling, just getting your toes wet. The area between the two beaches is a protested reef. So be mindful. The sand did have bit of shells and ocean debris. There was also some beer caps floating around, so just be wary where you walk. If you're looking for a nice shaded spot, bring your own or relax by the side where the trees are. The do have public showers, toilets, rinse off area and a filtered water station. Plus a nice beachside cafe for your dinning pleasures. Took a lot of great photos, but do respect the signs and the law. And clean up after yourselves. read more
Shelly Beach is a secluded cove beach that is close to the main beach in the area, Manly Beach. To reach this beach, there is a beach walk that you take to get here. As you walk on Marine Parade (street name), you will encounter many rock formations on land and by the water. The beach itself is sheltered as Lindsay C. writes. It also has a lot more coverage as there are trees to provide shade. There is sand here, but also some grassy areas the further back you go in the beach. It is a nice place to have a picnic on the nice day as there are some tables. If you want to dine at a restaurant, there are a few places in the area along with small shops. As for amenities, it seems to have the usual ones that you would expect at a beach like this. Though I did also see a water filling station that you can fill your bottles using which was interesting. If you are looking for a more relaxed option to the larger Manly Beach nearby, check out Shelly Beach which is a short walk away. read more
14 years ago
Toss some sand and seashells in a mortar and pestle, and whaddya get? Shelly beach! Whilst Manly Beach is more of a traditional beach with waves, lifeguards and soft sand, Shelly beach offers a very different experience. First off it's much quieter. Being somewhat secluded around a path or two, means that the majority of peeps either don't know its there or aren't willing to walk the small distance to get to it, because Manly beach is right in front of them. Don't get me wrong though, even during the week the beach is going to be busy. The ocean atmosphere here is a lot more kid-friendly, with gentler waves, making it much easier for parents to monitor. For the sun-bakers there are spots amongst the rocks or in the general concourse area of the beach itself. You'll see a number of snorkel types exploring a little further out, and that's what makes this little gem so special - you can do a lot here. Eye-candy-wise this is the place to be. James Bond types emerging from the water, and stunning European models parading their fantastic bodies. Hungry bums are prevalent here. There is also a park behind the beach. Extra style points: If you are able to find the little figurines! Bonus bonus points: If you can find the iguana. read more
11 years ago
There are beaches, and then there are beaches. This place is, in a word, stunning. Best of all, given its somewhat protected location, you are protected from the hordes of people who take over Manly beach. Unfortunately this piece of paradise does come with a cost (especially if you park in the council car park). If you do end up parking there, do not think you can get away without paying. It seems to me that the parking officers live there, as they were constantly wandering around. If you are on a limited timeline though, make sure to drop by the car park and have a glimpse from the lookout (located right at the car park) for a, yup... here it comes again, stunning view of the cliffs overlooking some of the best beaches Sydney has to offer. This place is awesome. Check it out. read more
7 years ago
Definitely one of my favorite beaches!! We took the fast ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and then walked to manly beach and did the coastal walk to Shelly Beach. Such a gorgeous walk and there's a pool along the beach which was stunning!! Would highly recommend this beach over Bondi!! read more
15 years ago
Tucked away from the noise and crowds of Manly is Shelly Beach. Once you see Manly beach in front of you, turn right and walk for about ten minutes. It's actually a really nice walk. Once you get to Shelly, you'll notice that it's quite secluded, and almost feels like an island beach. The waters here are quite calm, due to reefs that offer some protection from the large ocean waves. Although I came to the beach just to relax on the sand, there are barbeques for public use, as well as lavatories and showers. The facilities are pretty clean. Since it's a relatively small beach, it can get quite packed on weekends, so make sure to get there early, especially if you're looking for parking near the beach. If you get sick of sitting on the beach, there's a little bush trail that provides stunning vistas of Manly and the ocean. When I was here, there were many snorkelers and scuba divers taking advantage of the tranquil conditions. There's supposed to be a nice variety of marine life within the shallow depths around Shelly Beach. read more
15 years ago
If there is such a place as heaven, it must look a great deal like Shelly Beach. South of Manly Beach, Shelly Beach is protected by a headland from the waves that draw surfers to the mecca of Manly. Shelly has a great little reef that a whole lots of colourful fish, large and small, call home. Consequentially, it's a popular spot with scuba divers and snorkelers in the summer time. Shelly Beach can be accessed by car - but be warned, street parking is near impossible to find on summer weekends, and the council carpark requires the insertion of A LOT of coins or a Manly Council Permit. A much better way to access friendly Shelley Beach is on foot; the walk from Manly Life Saving Club takes fifteen or twenty minutes, and is a great look at all walks of life. Brazilian backpackers chattering away in Portuguese - tick! Yummy mummies running with the pram - tick! Lovebirds slowly meandering around the headland - tick! Fitness fanatics and their unfortunate pet dogs - tick! Shelly Beach is a beautiful spot for a late-afternoon picnic, a sunrise stroll or a lazy weekend wander. It's popular with families, because of the absence of waves. But don't be fooled - young people also flock to Shelly Beach to sit and watch the world go by. A beautiful beach with a beautiful view. read more
9 years ago
10 years ago
Lovely little beach in Manly. It's shallower and more sheltered than sprawling Manly Beach and is a popular scuba diving and snorkelling site as well as great for a paddle in the calmer waters and relaxing on the shore. There's also a walking trail that begins at the rear of the beach that heads up and around the rocky headland and gives great elevated views. read more
11 years ago
I love Shelly Beach. I am surprised how quiet it is here! It's only a short walk away from Manly and the walk was gorgeous! I especially love the pool midway! Shelly's actually my favorite out of the three beaches (Bondi, Manly, Shelly) I visited this trip! Wear one of those rubber shoes and your feet will thank you after walking on those shelly sand! read more
8 years ago
Love this place! The walk from manly was so easy and the beach was less crowded. It was nice to watch the surfers in the break. As well as all of the pools - so cool! A must if you're on the beach in manly read more
15 years ago
Sydney's very own Watego's in this exclusive alcove at the protected southern end of Manly. The water is consistently emerald and it's a haven for divers and snorklers. In fact you'll feel as though you've landed right bang smack inside some picture perfect postcard. A day here is so relaxing it feels like a two week holiday, and I always return to the East feeling like a brand new woman. BYO snorkling gear and get up close and personal with the local marine life. Fish galore guaranteed. It's my first swim of the season, and I spot a wobbygong - my first ever... but the gropers are feeling shy today. That's okay. I've got all summer. Walk around the coastal path and grab a Toby's Estate coffee, or venture off the beach and explore the stunning coastal bushland. It's a family haven here, yet romantic as it gets... so bring your significant other if you have one. A cheap, accessible place to escape the big smoke without even leaving. read more
11 years ago
10 years ago
