Wave Quality Rating 4 Type of Wave Beach break Direction of Wave Right & left Bottom Sand Difficulty Beginners Crowd Level Busy Hazards Rips, Rocks General Description Manly is the first of Sydneys multiple northern beaches and reputedly the birthplace of Australian surfing following a visit and surfing demonstration by Hawaiian Olympic swimming champion Duke Kahanamoku.It is a popular beach (and area) with tourists and can get busy. The surf here is pretty consistent with the break picking up plenty of swell through most of the year. The best surf here is found with a west, south west wind and a north east groundswell. Both lefts and rights are available depending on the current state of the banks. The surf is mostly suitable for beginners but on bigger swells is only for more experienced surfers. You can also find Manly Life Saving Club here, founded in 1903 it is over 100 years old. General Info How to get there Get the ferry across from the harbour and it's a short walk to the beach. Access & Parking Info / Cost The beach has full public access. Where to Stay There is plenty of backpacker accommodation available around Manly Surf Schools Manly Surf School has been teaching here surfing since 1983. They have been voted by Surfing Australia as the Number 1 Surf School in NSW. When its Flat? There is always plenty to do when there is no surf. There are lots of local bars and cafes, Oceanworld where you can dive with sharks. Take a trip on the ferry to the harbour and take in the tourist sights.