Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve — Attraction in Sydney

The Bay is the heart and soul of Manly. Hundreds of swimmers swim across daily, the bold and the beautiful swimming club, starting Manly south steyne then to Shelly Beach in the cove before returning.

No fishing is allowed within the aquatic reserve making this an exceptional place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Scuba divers occasionally dove at night too. There are some large fish present.

The Cabbage Tree Bay is fringed by Sydney Harbour national park on one side which is great for a short foreated walk around the headland starting from Shelly Beach steps. Around the headland are great views of the Sunrise, Whales seasonally and Dead man's surf break in high swells.

The main swimming spot is the Fairy Bower, accessible beside the Fairy Bower tidal pool featuring an iconic metal sculpture. The Bower is very popular for people lazing and compares to Gordon's Bay in Sydneys Eastern Suburbs for vibe. It's an excellent place to sunbathe or read a book. The Bower also features a cafe on the water.

On the ocean edge to the bay is the popular and consistently good Bower surf break, surfers paddle via the Bower or Shelly Beach. This break becomes huge when there is high swell with surfers beginning their wave on the far side of the headland known as Dead man's surf break. In post storm swell events surfers are towed onto Deadmans using jetski.

Shelly Beach is the bays beach, it is quite sheltered with low or no waves and little wind generally. It has BBQ, an adjacent high end licensed cafe 'The Boathouse', Cabbage Tree Palms shade the edge, the national park vantage point over the beach offers amazing colourful views into the bay, the beach is occasionally used on Sunday evenings by fire artists and drummers.

Occasionally dolphins enter the bay, I have also witnessed a mother and baby whale inside.

Visiting boats are welcome to anchor on the edge but should not anchor within the bay as this is frowned upon by local people, with damage to the ocean floor having occurred from luxury...

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve feels like an easy slice of underwater adventure tucked beside Manly. Follow the coastal path toward Shelly and the water turns that clear, glassy blue that makes you want to grab a mask straight away. It is a sheltered pocket most days, so beginners and kids can float over ribbons of kelp while more confident swimmers venture closer to the mouth for deeper reef. Even from the rocks you can spot flashes of silver and the occasional blue groper drifting through like a local on patrol. On calm mornings the visibility is excellent and the whole bay hums quietly with life.

Snorkelling is the headline act. Pick up the underwater nature trail from the beach and follow the seabed markers past boulders and weed beds where sweep, mado and old wives school in the current. Rays sometimes ghost across the sand and tiny cuttlefish hang like punctuation between the kelp fronds. The reserve is strictly look but do not touch, which keeps things thriving, and it pays to float rather than kick hard so you do not stir the bottom. Easiest entries are from the sand at Shelly or the pebbly corner near the boats, and fins help if there is a bit of surge at the entrance. Early is best for calm water and fewer people, and a light wetsuit stretches the season comfortably into the cooler months.

Good to know before you go. There are no lifeguards stationed in the middle of the bay, so stick to your limits and keep an eye on wind and swell. Facilities sit back at Shelly and Manly for bathrooms and coffee, and street parking fills quickly on sunny days. Rock shoes save tender feet on the ledges, a dry layer helps when the breeze kicks up, and packing out everything you bring keeps this spot as pristine as it looks. Bring a mask, slow your breathing, and let the reserve...

Mesmerising unforgettable inspiring cabbage tree aquatic reserve is a hidden oasis. We stumbled upon this gorgeous location on a walk from Manly Beach. Wow bathers everywhere on the rocks in the water the place was brimming with beautiful people enjoying swimming and sun baking along the idyllic saltwater tidal Rock-pools. Waterdragons adorn the walkway camouflaged by green habitat. Mini sculptures too. There’s a boutique seafood bistro cafe with delicious selection of fried and salad meals, plenty of drinks. It’s busy but sells tasty treats. It’s called The Bower. However walk a little bit further and there’s The Boathouse restaurant opposite the serene beach, perfect location great food and drinks! We’ve visited three times via the Manly ferry at Sydney Circular Quay. It’s a fabulous day trip easy access affordable....