Cronulla Beach is one of the longest beaches in Sydney, located about a 45-minute drive from the CBD. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists and is divided into four different sections:
- Voodoo: Located at the far north end of the beach, Voodoo is a heavy left-hand reef break, that comes into life in heavy (4ft+) southerly swell with light northeast wind.
- Greenhill Beach/Wanda/Elouera/The Wall/The Alley: These all make up the long stretch of the break, extending all the way down to the south of Cronulla Beach.
- Cronulla Points: Cornulla points are at the far south of the Cronulla, and produce one of the most consistent right-hander breaks in Sydney. It can hold big waves well, but being a point break, it can be tricky dealing with crowds.
- Shark Island: Located at the far south end of the beach, Shark Island is well-known for its heavy, fast steep and high-quality reef breaks. It’s popular amongst bodyboarders.
The south end of Cronulla Beach, called South Cronulla, is the most popular spot with a variety of restaurants, an RSL club, a rock pool, and a good walking track.
No matter what you’re looking for in a beach day, Cronulla Beach has something to offer. Whether you’re a surfer, swimmer, sunbather, or just looking to enjoy a meal and a drink with friends, you’re sure to have a great time at Cronulla Beach.
Why is Cronullar So Popular?
Cronulla is a popular beach destination for surfers and beachgoers alike. It has the longest (5.5km) stretches of sand amongst the Eastern Suburbs (South of Harbour Bridge) with a mix of quality breaks and easy access reef breaks, making it a favourite spot for surfers.
For beachgoers and families, Cronulla offers generous parking across the beach, a cinema, a variety of restaurants, and even beachfront high-end dining experiences. It also has two well-suited playgrounds for kids at the southern end of the beach, which is patrolled, making it a safe and enjoyable place for families to spend the day.
Overall, Cronulla is a great option for anyone looking for a day at the beach, whether you’re a surfer, beachgoer, or family. It has something to offer everyone, from great waves to delicious food to family-friendly activities.
Can you swim at Cronulla Beach?
Cronulla Beach, especially the southern end, is a great option for swimmers and inexperienced beach users, as it’s well-protected from most swells. There’s also a large rock pool near the south side of the beach, which is perfect for swimming and splashing.
Please note that the beach is only patrolled during certain hours, and the patrolled area is smaller during the winter months. If you’re swimming when the flags are not up, please be extra careful.
Is Cronulla Safe For Kids?
The far south corner of Cronulla Beach is a great place for kids, as it’s well-patrolled and has a good-sized rock pool.
When checking the ocean conditions, take your time to observe the direction of the current, the size of the waves, and whether anyone is being dragged in a certain direction or pulled out to the ocean (rip).
Remember, you and your children’s safety is your responsibility. Always swim between the flags and never let your kids out of your sight.
There are also multiple cafes nearby, making it easy to refuel after a long day of fun.
Access to the Beach.
You can get to Cronulla Beach by car or by bus from multiple directions. There are plenty of 2-hour, 4-hour, and unlimited parking spaces available throughout the beach, but parking can be challenging, especially during the summer months.
If you want to access the middle north of the beach, you can park in the residential area and walk 5 minutes across a sand dune and bush to get to the beach. It’s not a bad walk at all!
Surf Shops At Cronulla Beach
- Triple Bull Surf and Skate. 38 Kingsway, Cronulla NSW 2230
- Quicksilver Cronulla. 8 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230
- Ripcurl Cronulla. 29-31 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230
- Dylan Longbottom Board Store. Shop 1/74 Croydon St, Cronulla NSW 2230
There are numerous surf shops located in Cronulla. Visit their website, call or check in person to see their range of different surfboards for rental surfboards.
Surf School At Cronulla Beach.
Cronulla Surfing Academy is located at 2 Marine Esplanade, Cronulla NSW 2230, in the middle of Wanda Beach. It’s a small office attached to the surf life-saving club, so it may not look like a traditional surf school.
They offer surfing lessons for all ages and skill levels, all year round.
If you’re interested in learning to surf or improving your surfing skills, read here about surfing lessons.
Best Surfing Conditions for Surfing at Cronulla Beach.
Snapshot of Best Surfing Condition for Maroubra Beach
| Types of Break | Mix of Reef (South Corner, Shark Island, Voodoo) and Sand Breach Break (rest of the beach). |
| Best Swell Direction | SE, S, E, NE for Cronulla, Wanda and Voodoo. Shark Island also goes on fire on NE. |
| Best Wind Direction | N and W |
| Best Season | Autumn to Winter (Feb – July) |
| Current / Rip | Cronulla can have a strong current and needs to be aware at all times. |
| Best Swell Size | Usually, best around 2-4ft, but Beach Break can hold up to 5-6ft. Shark Island Can hold bigger – up to 10ft. |
| Surfers Level | Intermediate – expert |
| Crowd Density | Can be crowded during the weekend. Weekdays are generally ok. |
| Localism | There is no obvious localism. However, being a point break(reef area), it can be quite edgy due to the limited take-off zone |
Is Cronulla Beach Safe From Shark Attacks?
In 2021, there was one reported shark attack at Cronulla Beach. The surfer’s surfboard was damaged on the side, but the surfer was not injured. He reported feeling a force pull him down, and officers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries stated that the damage to the surfboard was consistent with a shark bite.
Please read here for more information about shark attacks in Sydney and shark attacks in general.
Cafes and Food
Cronulla Beach has a variety of food, coffee, and drink options to choose from. Most of the entertainment venues are located in the south of the beach, while the north is mostly residential and national parks.
is fishing allowed at Cronulla Beach?
Fishing is allowed at Cronulla Beach except the far north end of the beach, the law protects it – boat harbour aquatic reserve.
When finishing in the surf, please be respectful of people who are already in the water. Getting tangling in the line is unpleasant, and you do not want to lose the line unnecessarily.