Little Bay Beach

Little Bay Beach sits at Little Bay, a tucked-away cove on the coast in Sydney's south-east near La Perouse. A small, sheltered beach framed by sandstone headlands, it's a beautiful and relatively secluded spot — a calmer, more peaceful alternative to the city's busier beaches, with clear, protected water that's lovely for a swim.

The appeal is that combination of natural beauty and tranquillity: golden sand, sheltered swimming, dramatic rocky headlands and a coastal-walk setting, all with a quieter, hidden-gem feel. It's a wonderful spot for a relaxed swim, a snorkel or simply enjoying a more secluded slice of Sydney's coastline.

With a 4.7 rating from more than 900 reviews, it's a much-loved beach. It's free and open, but it's a smaller cove with limited facilities and parking, and conditions and access can vary, so it's worth checking conditions before you go — and taking sun protection, swimming with care, and arriving earlier on warm weekends, when this lovely sheltered beach is at its most popular.