Bilgola Beach

Sandwiched between imposing Bilgola Head and Newport Head, Bilgola Beach is a 500-metre surfing beach in Sydney’s Northern Beaches area. The soft sands here have a distinct reddish colour which contrasts the verdant cliffs at either end.

Facing southeast, Bilgola has an offshore sand bar cut through by two shifting rips along with permanent rips that batter the rocks at either end of the sand. The beach has good conditions for bodyboarding and surfing with a powerful shore break. The best surfing is at the north end of the beach although there are good breaks all along. It’s also a good spot for fishing.

Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Club members patrol at busy times. At the south end of the beach, Bilgola Rockpool is a 50-metre swimming pool with 8 lanes for serious lap swimming. There’s a nice cafe kiosk with outdoor seating which sells hot and cold drinks, ice cream, magazines and snacks.

Access is from the car park off The Serpentine and over the grassy dunes. The car park has a block of amenities including toilets, showers and changing rooms.