Clontarf Baths is a netted swimming enclosure on the sandy harbour beach at Clontarf Reserve, where the shallows slope so gently that toddlers can wander in. With a cafe, barbecues and a shaded playground behind it, it's one of the easiest family harbour days in Sydney.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour or river baths
- Good to know
- Change rooms, Parking, Cafe nearby
- Facilities and access
- Picnic tables, barbecues, shaded playground, change rooms, cafe, paid parking
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- No
- Parking
- Paid, fills on weekends
- Best time to go
- Weekday mornings
- Water quality
- GoodClontarf Pool, 0.1 km away. Sampled 27 Oct. Data: NSW Beachwatch, CC BY 4.0.
- Town
- Clontarf, NSW
What it's like
You walk in straight off the sand, with no steps or ladders, and the water deepens slowly towards the net. Middle Harbour is calm here, and the beach on either side gives kids plenty of room to dig and paddle. On a summer weekend the reserve behind fills with picnic rugs and the smell of barbecues.
When to go
Weekday mornings are calm and quiet. Summer weekends are busy with families and picnics, so arrive early for a spot in the shade.
Getting there and facilities
Clontarf Reserve is on Sandy Bay Road, Clontarf, and the Manly to Spit walk passes right through it. There are picnic tables, barbecues, a shaded playground, change rooms and a cafe. Parking is paid and fills on weekends.
Good to know
Nobody patrols here. Give the water a few days after heavy rain.