Manly Beach, NSW

Hugos Manly, Manly Ferry ride, Manly Pavilion.

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Friday 28 August is shaping up to be a great day to get out and enjoy the coastal lifestyle, with a current temperature of 9C and a heavy overcast cloud cover. The humidity is sitting at 100%, making it feel quite misty, and the pressure is at 1025 hPa. The wind is blowing at 9 km/h from the WNW, with gusts of up to 16 km/h, which will add a bit of chill to the air.



The ocean conditions are looking good for water enthusiasts, with a wave height of 1.38m, which is waist to chest high, making for some solid surf. The water temperature is a comfortable 18.0C, which is perfect for a spring suit, and the tide times are 08:20 am for high tide and 02:05 pm for low tide. These conditions will make for some great swimming, snorkelling, and surfing opportunities.



For all you sports and fitness enthusiasts out there, today is a great day to get out and enjoy your favourite activities. Surfers will love the solid waves, while runners and cyclists will enjoy the cool and misty conditions. Anglers will have a great time trying their luck in the ocean, and paddleboarders will appreciate the calm waters of the sheltered bays. The conditions are also perfect for a snorkelling trip to the Cabbage Tree Bay reserve, where you can explore the underwater world in a safe and sheltered environment.



As we head into the afternoon, the temperature is expected to remain steady at 9C, with no chance of rain and plenty of cloud cover. The UV index is low, so you won't need to worry about special protection, and the air quality is at a moderate 62 AQI. It's going to be a fantastic day to get out and enjoy all that the coast has to offer, so make the most of it and have a great time. Whether you're swimming, surfing, or just soaking up the atmosphere, today is shaping up to be a wonderful day by the sea.

About This Coastline

Manly occupies a narrow peninsula between Sydney Harbour and the Pacific, combining a famous ocean beach with sheltered coves, ferry access and a lively pedestrian centre.

Its character is therefore broader than conventional resort imagery, combining practical coastal life with a strong sense of place.

The Vibe

The ferry journey gives the visit a sense of arrival before the Corso leads directly from the wharf to the surf.

Beach activity, shops and restaurants create a sociable atmosphere, while nearby headlands and harbour beaches offer quieter alternatives. The shoreline supports both activity and observation, allowing an energetic beach day or a slower experience centred on walking and views.

The Local Anchor

The Corso is Manly’s civic spine, linking two very different waterfronts within a short walk.

The area also has a strong surfing history, including the international contest held at Manly in 1964, and longstanding surf lifesaving traditions. This anchor gives meaning to the surrounding scenery and provides a useful starting point for understanding the wider district.

The Landscape

The main ocean beach forms a wide sweep towards Queenscliff, exposed to Pacific swell and backed by Norfolk Island pines.

On the harbour side, calmer coves and sections of Sydney Harbour National Park create a more sheltered landscape of bush, sandstone and clear water. The shape of the coast determines shelter and exposure, so neighbouring sections can offer very different experiences on the same day.

It is this overlap of landscape, history and daily use that gives Manly Beach its particular atmosphere.