Summary: Curl Curl is a great surfing beach, but is also regarded as one of Sydney's most dangerous beaches due to its permanent rips. Both ends of the long beach have rockpools, a surf life saving club and kiosks.

Located between Dee Why Beach and Freshwater Beach on the Northern Beaches, Curl Curl Beach is one of Sydney’s best surfing beaches. The beach is 1.2km in length, and is divided into North Curl Curl and South Curl Curl; both ends of the long beach have their own Surf Life Saving Club, rock pools, car park and kiosk. The southern Curl Curl SLSC was established in 1918, and North Curl Curl SLSC in 1922.

North Curl Curl beach has a narrow lagoon, which flows into the sea – the name Curl Curl may have been derived from the Dharug Aboriginal phrase “curial curial”, meaning river of life. This end has more parking, and is generally a bit busier. The northern end has good swimming and body boarding conditions (especially in front of and south of the lagoon) and is popular with families who have younger kids.

The northern end of the beach was backed by extensive sand dunes which were partly removed during World War 2, then used as a tip and finally returned to a more natural state in the 1980s. It’s now a large foreshore reserve.

South Curl Curl has a cafe and child-friendly ocean swimming pool (constructed in 1925) and cafe; while good for swimming, it has several permanent rips (including one called the Garbage Bowl at the southern end of the beach). As a result Curl Curl Beach is regarded by some regard as Sydney’s most dangerous beach.

Getting to Curl Curl Beach

The beach is accessed via Pittwater Road from the north and south or Warringah Road from the west, and there are three large parking areas (parking fees apply):

It’s also possible to reach the beach using public transport:

  • Train to Wynyard than E65 bus
  • Train to Chatswood then 160X bus.

More information

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