Tucked away on the quieter side of Manly, Little Manly Cove offers a sheltered, family-friendly snorkeling haven within the North Harbour Aquatic Reserve. Its calm, protected waters are punctuated by a large netted swimming enclosure and fringed by golden kelp forests that teem with marine life. A short 10-15 minute stroll from Manly Wharf, this relaxed spot is a peaceful alternative to bustling Shelly Beach, with easy shore entry and a sandy beach perfect for a slow, unhurried explore.
Little Manly Cove
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.3 mSwell Period 6.5 sWind Speed 7.6 knPrecipitation 7.6 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Low risk: Sea Urchins
Spiny sea urchins present along the rocky coastline and near kelp forests; wearing flippers is recommended.
Low risk: Jellyfish
Jellyfish can occasionally be present in the bay, particularly in warmer months.
Low risk: Low Tide Seagrass
Endangered seagrass beds are exposed at low tide — avoid treading on them to protect the habitat and marine life.
Low risk: Debris After Rain
Visibility can drop significantly after rainfall due to wash-off and debris entering the bay.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
1 photo from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Take a 40-minute ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Wharf, then walk 10-15 minutes east along Stuart Street. Alternatively, drive or take a bus to Manly and follow Stuart Street to the beach.
Parking & facilities
Pay-and-display parking available on Stuart Street and surrounding streets. Manly Wharf Car Park is a paid option nearby. Arrive early to secure a spot on busy days.
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Free entry. Parking is paid (pay-and-display).
Spot Map
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Gallery ┬╖ 1 photos
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports