Dee Why, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Dee Why Beach Overview

Dee Why Beach is not as well known internationally as say Bondi or Manly but this stretch is one of our personal favourites. Over the last few years Dee Why has been tastefully re-developed with a new promenade (or Corso) and apartment blocks.

An excellent selection of restaurants and cafes on the beachfront strip adds to the finesse. Dee Why has a cozy family feel and meets the needs and expectations of its residents and welcomed visitors.

Dee Why Beach is one of Sydney 's Northern Beaches (a continuous strip of around 20 beaches stretching up the coast from Manly to Palm Beach). See Map.

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a perfect day

Breakfast at Dee Why Beach, at one of the cafes on the beachside strip, is a great way to start the day. A promenade, grass picnic stretch and road separates the cafes from the soft sands but does not detract from the views of the glistening seas. Most cafes offer both alfresco and inside dining .

Dee Why Beach Corso has been stylishly designed with a mix of stainless steel street furniture, picnic tables, elegant looking lamp posts and shower units. There are ramps leading down to the beach itself which will be welcomed by families with push chairs and the disabled.

At the southern end of the Corso is a sheltered rock pool, with nearbychanging facilities, if you want a swim but don't want to cope with the breaking waves .

Dee Why Beach has its Surf Patrol Pavilion at the northern end of the Corso and this is always the centre of much activity. Flags are usually set up on the beach in appropriate safe to swim places, selected by the life guards, and the patrolled areas are between the red and yellow flags.

Always swim between the flags as if rips are present, even the strongest swimmers can be swept out to sea.

long reef walk

One of our favourite walks in Sydney is along Dee Why Beach to Long Reef and up to the headland, past the idyllically located golf course. At the top of the headland there are several sculptures, a reference map of the Northern Beaches and you can also watch hang glider pilots or model plane enthusiasts play around in the up currents at the top of the headland.

Look north and take in the breath taking views of all the jagged cliff faces of the northern beaches right to the tip of Palm Beach. On a clear day, to the south, the round head of Centre Point Tower in Sydney pops up in the distance.

During some summer evenings there can be a sea mist which makes this walk even more magical.

Collaroy

Fishermans Beach leads to a stretch of flat rocks which are exposed at low tide. You can use the path above the beach when the tide is in but check with Life Guards when you can safely access the rocks.

In areas, the rock looks like crocodile hide and in others it is a mixture of grays, browns and reds. The rock shelf leads to another sheltered public swimming 'rock pool' and then on to Collaroy Beach. There is a well located Hogs Breath Cafe with a beach front dining area  at Collaroy which makes a good spot for a pit stop before you return to Dee Why Beach.

Fisherman's beach

At the top of Long Reef you can either return to Dee Why Beach or continue north down the path which takes you to the small and quaint Fishermans Beach, so named because there is a boat ramp and fish gutting utilities which is frequently used by several small fishing boats.

If the boats are not in use you will find them anchored on the sand. Look out for the resident pelicans who are attracted to fish discarded by fishermen. They perch themselves on the street lights waiting for the boats to come in.

Further along the beach are a few enviably located houses with absolute beachfront locations.

Narrabeen beach

If you fancy a very long walk start at Dee Why, pass Long Reef golf course, venture up to the heads then down to Fishermans beach, onto Collaroy then continue along the endless stretch of Narrabeen beach to the lagoon.

The round trip from Dee Why Beach to the end of Narrabeen is about 10 Km and takes about 5 hours. From Dee Why Beach to Collaroy and back will take about 2-3 hours. Narrabeen beach runs parallel to Pittwater Road and there are plenty of shops and take-away's should you need additional provisions.