One of Bingo’s favourite swimming spots is Malabar. The Northern Boat ramp is a good entry point for a swim and a short walk along the rocks leads to ‘Chinaman’s Beach’ where shallow rock pools are good for a paddle. The view across the bay to the Rock Pool and Southern Boat ramp inspires local swimmers (and sometimes their dogs) to swim across and back again. Sharks you say? Yep. Worth the risk ….. of course.

The water quality in the long wide bay suffers from stormwater pollution after heavy rain, although recent work has improved conditions significantly.

I grew up in this area and the whole place has a kind of spiritual meaning for me.

Never really crowded, one nice little coffee shop (South side), basic facilities, super safe, easy parking.

Best not to swim in the bay for a few days after heavy rain.

Wild Swimming #75

Location – enter the GPS coordinates into google -33.9642 151.2522

Child friendly 5/5

My rating 3/5

Clovelly is a great place to swim. Take your fins and goggles and hang around the entrance to the bay and you are a good chance to spot one of the large blue groper swimming around. Best at mid to high tide, as the entrance steps get slippery at low tide and the visibility is reduced. For the fit amongst you, the go is to swim across the bay then run around the path-ways, which surround the bay and dive in again – for some reason the normal direction is anti-clockwise. The kids can play in the sand at the end of the bay where the water is shallow. Facilities are good and parking is OK. The concrete deck on the south side of the bay (near the entrance) is a great sun-baking area and if you climb around the rocks a little way you can sit amongst the large sandstone rocks.

Clovelly is located on the coastal walk between Bronte and Coogee. The views each way are magnificent. Here’s a perfect morning ….. start at Bronte with a swim at the Baths, walk south to Clovelly for the second swim of the day, then on to Coogee for a dip at Giles Baths. Lunch at Coogee then take a quick cab ride back to Bronte.

Wild Swimming #60

Location –  enter the GPS coordinates into google           -33.9134  151.2662

Child friendly 5/5

My rating 4/5

 

 

Shark Beach is part of Nielsen Park, this historic swimming spot is an iconic Sydney landmark. The enclosure provides safety from Bull sharks and the surrounding park contains a beautiful Tea House and original 1932 change rooms. Sailing boats, ferries, sea planes and ocean going ships pass and seem close enough to touch. Some nice walking tracks along the harbour too. I think this would be a nice spot in winter too. Great at sunrise and sunset.

Sunset

Wild Swimming #2

Location – enter the GPS coordinates into google -33.8505, 151.2667

Child friendly 5/5

My rating 4/5