Dog Friendly Beaches Sydney | Best Spots for Your Pup

Sydney is famous for its glittering harbour and golden stretches of sand — but what about when you want to share it all with your pup? Good news: Sydney is one of the most dog-friendly cities in Australia, and it’s home to dozens of beaches where your best friend can splash, sniff, and zoom to their heart’s content.

That said, finding the right beach can be tricky. Not every shoreline allows dogs, and many come with time restrictions or leash-only rules. This guide cuts through the confusion with verified council details, practical tips, and first-hand insights so you know exactly where to go.

Whether you’re a local planning your next beach day or flying in with your dog on one of Virgin Australia’s upcoming pet-friendly flights, here’s everything you need to know about Sydney’s dog-friendly beaches.

Map of Sydney’s Dog-Friendly Beaches

Use this interactive map to find Sydney’s best dog-friendly beaches near you. From off-leash surf spots like Greenhills Beach to hidden harbour coves in Mosman and Rose Bay, each location links to full details on facilities, leash rules, and nearby cafés.

📍 Tip: Zoom into your suburb or favourite coastal area to plan your next outing. Every beach on this map is included in our full guide below, with practical info on parking, facilities, and council rules.

Northern Beaches

1. Curl Curl Lagoon

Curl Curl Lagoon, located behind Sydney’s famous surf beach, offers a gentler escape for pups who prefer calm waters over crashing waves. Surrounded by grassy parklands and shady trees, it’s a favourite among families and small dog owners who enjoy the flat, open spaces and relaxed community feel. Scenic walking paths wind around the wetlands, where birdlife is often spotted along the water’s edge.

🐾 Why We Love It
The lagoon is a safe, off-leash zone where dogs can splash and play without the worry of strong surf. Locals love the mix of nature and convenience — from nearby cafés to picnic-ready grass under shady trees.

⚠️ What Could Be Improved
Water quality can dip after heavy rain, and some visitors feel the lagoon is more of a stormwater catchment than a true swimming spot. Facilities are limited too — there are no toilets or bubblers right by the lagoon.

ℹ️ Good to Know Before You Go

• Leash rules: Dogs are welcome off-leash at Adam St Reserve and Flora & Richie Roberts Reserve. They must remain on-lead in all other areas to protect birdlife, particularly during breeding season.
• Accessibility: Flat paths make it easy for prams and casual walkers.
• Parking: Car park on-site with direct access to the lagoon and dog park.
• Nearby cafés/shops: Short drive or walk to North Curl Curl’s local spots.

Facilities: 🌳 Shade | 🚗 Parking

2. Manly Lagoon

Manly Lagoon, located between Queenscliff and Manly, is a favourite with locals looking for a relaxed spot to exercise their dogs. The lagoon’s shallow water and grassy reserves create plenty of room for off-leash play, while the walking paths link directly to Manly Beach for those keen on a longer stroll. Families also appreciate the nearby playgrounds and shaded benches, making it as much a community hub as a dog spot.

🐾 Why We Love It
A safe, social environment with dogs off-leash around the clock. The combination of open space, flat walking tracks, and easy access to Manly cafés makes it ideal for both quick puppy playdates and leisurely weekend outings.

⚠️ What Could Be Improved
Water quality can be patchy and is sometimes flagged as unsuitable for swimming. Facilities beyond toilets are limited, and the popularity of the area means it can get crowded — a challenge for nervous pups.

ℹ️ Good to Know Before You Go

• Leash rules: Off-leash access 24 hours a day on the western side of the lagoon (per Northern Beaches Council).
• Water: Dogs may enter the water, but always check on-site signage about conditions.
• Facilities: Public toilets available; limited bubblers.
• Shade & seating: Natural tree cover and benches provide rest spots.
• Parking: Street parking is nearby but can be tight.
• Cafés: Dog-friendly options in both Queenscliff and Manly, most with outdoor seating.

Facilities: 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 🚗 Parking

3. Sandy Bay, Clontarf

Sandy Bay in Clontarf is a sheltered off-leash beach where dogs can roam free and splash in calm, shallow water. Open 24/7 above the mean high-water mark, it’s especially popular with small dogs and families looking for a safe harbour swim. The beach links directly to Clontarf Reserve, which offers toilets, shade, picnic spots, and a café. Best enjoyed at low tide when the sandy stretch is wider, though parking nearby can be limited.

Facilities: 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 🚗 Parking

4. Bayview Dog Park, Pittwater

Bayview Dog Park on Pittwater is a true off-leash haven, open 24/7 with both grassy fields and a sandy foreshore for pups to explore. Dogs can splash in the shallow bay or roam the tidal sand flats at low tide, while owners enjoy shady seating and a friendly community vibe. Facilities include toilets, water taps, and poo bag stations, plus a coffee van and dog wash on weekends. Parking is available but metered during peak times.

Facilities: 💧 Water | 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 👜 Poo bags | 🚗 Parking

Lower North Shore

5. Sirius Cove Reserve, Mosman

Tucked into a quiet corner of Mosman, Sirius Cove Beach is a harbour-side gem where dogs can enjoy calm waters, sandy stretches, and leafy reserves. Loved by locals, it’s long been considered one of Sydney’s best dog beaches, with pups bounding through the shallow water or chasing balls across the sand. Families appreciate the shaded picnic tables, BBQs, and playground that back the beach, making it a versatile spot for a full day out.

🐾 Why We Love It
The combination of safe swimming, grassy reserves, and welcoming locals gives Sirius Cove a relaxed, community feel. Its central location means you can pair a dog swim with a café stop in Mosman.

⚠️ What Could Be Improved
It gets crowded during peak off-leash hours, and a few owners struggle with recall, which can lead to unwanted interactions. Facilities, including toilets, are handy but sometimes run-down, and the water is best avoided after heavy rain.

ℹ️ Good to Know Before You Go

• Leash rules: Off-leash all day Monday–Friday. On weekends and public holidays, off-leash before 9am and after 4pm (Mosman Council).
• Facilities: Toilets available, shaded areas with picnic tables, BBQs, and a playground.
• Parking: Limited street and reserve parking, easier to find on weekdays.
• Accessibility: Gentle slope to the beach and steps for water entry.

Facilities: 💧 Water | 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 👜 Poo bags | 🚗 Parking

6. Clifton Gardens Beach, Mosman

Clifton Gardens Beach in Mosman is a harbour-side escape that blends family fun with dog-friendly freedom. Backed by grassy lawns and framed by sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, it’s a favourite for picnics, BBQs, and days spent by the water. The calm bay makes it safe for paddling, while the reserve offers shaded areas, a playground, and even a kiosk for coffee or milkshakes. For dog owners, the real draw is the designated off-leash hours, where pups can run along the sand and splash in sheltered waters.

🐾 Why We Love It
It’s a beach where everyone finds something to enjoy: kids in the playground, divers at the netted enclosure, and dogs racing across the lawns. The mix of facilities and natural beauty makes Clifton Gardens feel like a true community hub.

⚠️ What Could Be Improved
Parking is expensive and fills quickly, especially on weekends. A few owners let dogs wander into picnic zones outside permitted areas, which can cause tension. The water can also turn murky after rain.

ℹ️ Good to Know Before You Go

• Leash rules: Off-leash all day Monday–Friday; before 9am and after 4pm on weekends and public holidays (Mosman Council).
• Facilities: Toilets, shaded picnic areas, BBQs, kiosk, and a playground.
• Parking: Paid, limited, and often congested.
• Accessibility: Narrow road access and steps may challenge prams or larger vehicles.

Facilities: 🔒 Fenced area | 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 🚗 Parking

Eastern Suburbs

7. Rose Bay Foreshore

Rose Bay Foreshore in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is often called “doggy heaven” — a rare harbour-side stretch where dogs can play against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and seaplanes. The shallow, calm water is ideal for swimming pups, while the wide sandy foreshore provides plenty of space for zoomies, fetch, and socialising. Just a short stroll from Rose Bay village, you’ll also find cafés, shops, and even grooming services, making it a convenient outing for locals and visitors alike.

🐾 Why We Love It
The mix of calm swimming spots, golden sand, and a lively, social atmosphere makes Rose Bay one of the city’s most iconic dog-friendly escapes. Sunset is particularly special, when the bay glows and the energy turns relaxed.

⚠️ What Could Be Improved
Parking is limited and competitive, especially on weekends. Some owners don’t manage their dogs well, which can unsettle reactive pups, and seaweed or drainage debris sometimes washes ashore. Shade is also scarce, so come prepared with a cabana or umbrella.

ℹ️ Good to Know Before You Go

• Leash rules: Signage indicates dogs must be on-leash, though off-leash activity is common in practice. Woollhara Council website also mentions that dogs are permitted off leash at all times.
• Facilities: Toilets, outdoor showers, and a flat foreshore for easy access.
• Parking: Free spots on Sundays, otherwise tricky on busy days.
• Nearby cafés: Rose Bay village offers plenty of dog-friendly coffee and food options.

Facilities: 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 🚗 Parking

8. Dumaresq Reserve, Rose Bay

Dumaresq Reserve in Rose Bay is a small but scenic harbour-side spot with million-dollar views of the Sydney skyline. Dogs are allowed off-leash between 4:30pm and 8:30am, making it a popular choice for locals at sunrise and sunset. At low tide, the sand flats open up more space for pups to run and swim, while Rose Bay village cafés are a short stroll away. The reserve is compact with limited facilities, so bring water and supplies if you’re staying long.

Facilities: 🌳 Shade | 🚗 Parking

9. Kutti Beach in Vaucluse

Kutti Beach in Vaucluse is one of Sydney’s most secluded harbour gems, reached only by a steep wooden staircase beside the sailing club. Its calm, clear water and intimate setting make it a favourite for locals looking to relax with their pups, though space is limited and the beach can all but disappear at high tide. Dogs are permitted on-leash at all times, despite its reputation as an informal off-leash spot. Arrive early if you want parking nearby.

Facilities: 🚗 Parking

Sutherland Shire

10. Greenhills Beach, Cronulla

Greenhills Beach in Cronulla is the Sutherland Shire’s only designated off-leash beach, and it’s a favourite for dogs who love to run wild in the surf. With golden sand stretching for kilometres, pups can chase balls, dig, and splash, while owners enjoy the social vibe. Off-leash access is limited to before 10am and after 4pm in daylight savings (3pm outside it), so timing is key. Facilities include toilets, bins with poo bags, and nearby parking, though weekends get busy.

Facilities: 🚻 Toilets | 👜 Poo bags | 🚗 Parking

11. Silver Beach, Kurnell

Silver Beach in Kurnell offers calm, shallow waters and a generous off-leash section west of the Bonna Point boat ramp, making it a favourite for swimming pups and social playdates. While planes soar overhead from nearby Sydney Airport, most visitors enjoy the relaxed, bayside vibe. Facilities include toilets, parking, and a coastal walkway, with cafés like Cook @ Kurnell just across the road. Dogs must be leashed when entering and leaving but are allowed off-leash at all times in the designated zone.

Facilities: 🔒 Fenced area | 💧 Water | 🚻 Toilets | 🚗 Parking

12. Horderns Beach, Bundeena

Horderns Beach in Bundeena is a peaceful harbour spot on the edge of the Royal National Park, popular with locals for its calm water and relaxed community vibe. The western end is designated for off-leash play, though access times vary — dogs are welcome off-leash year-round in winter, but during September–April they’re restricted to weekday mornings and evenings only. Facilities include toilets near the ferry ramp and limited parking, with cafés and takeaway shops close by for post-beach refreshments.

Facilities: 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 🚗 Parking

South Sydney / Botany Bay

13. Lady Robinsons Beach, Kyeemagh

Lady Robinsons Beach in Kyeemagh is one of Sydney’s longest bayside stretches, perfect for dog walks, seaside jogs, and pup playdates. The off-leash zone near Kyeemagh (between gates 60 and 61) is open 24/7, giving dogs plenty of room to run and swim in calm waters. Families enjoy the flat promenade for bikes and prams, plus nearby cafés and shops for a post-walk stop. Facilities include toilets, shaded spots near parks, and parking, though weekends can be busy.

Facilities: 💧 Water | 🌳 Shade | 🚻 Toilets | 🚗 Parking

Best Beaches for Different Types of Dogs

• Best for Off-Leash Freedom: Greenhills, Curl Curl Lagoon, Silver Beach.
• Best for Swimming Dogs: Rose Bay, Sirius Cove, Manly Lagoon.
• Best Hidden Gems: Kutti Beach, Dumaresq Reserve.

Facilities & What to Expect

• Water & Shade: Limited — bring your own water and shade tent.
• Parking: Popular spots like Greenhills and Rose Bay fill up fast.
• Cleanliness: Some beaches (e.g. Lady Robinsons) noted for occasional rubbish.
• Restrictions: Seasonal or time-based rules apply at several beaches (e.g. Horderns).

Beach	Off-Leash?	Toilets	Parking	Shade	Water Bubblers
Bayview Dog Park (Pittwater)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Clifton Gardens Beach (Mosman)	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Curl Curl Lagoon (Curl Curl)	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Dumaresq Reserve (Rose Bay)	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Greenhills Beach (Cronulla)	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Horderns Beach (Bundeena)	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Kutti Beach (Vaucluse)	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌
Lady Robinsons Beach (Kyeemagh)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Manly Lagoon (Manly)	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Rose Bay Foreshore (Rose Bay)	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Sandy Bay (Clontarf)	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Silver Beach (Kurnell))	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
Sirius Cove Beach (Mosman)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

Tips for Enjoying Sydney’s Dog-Friendly Beaches

• Visit early morning or evening in summer.
• Pack essentials: fresh water, bowls, poo bags, towels.
• Always follow local council signage.
• Keep pups on-leash until you’re in the designated zone.

Final Word

Sydney’s coastline has something for every pup — from sprawling surf beaches to secret harbour coves. Use this guide to find your perfect match, and don’t forget to check leash rules before you go.

Ready to plan the full paw-fect adventure? Pair your beach day with a stay at one of our Sydney Dog Friendly Guide: Hotels in the City’s Best Locations to play a memorable Sydney stay.

Are we missing any dog friendly beaches from the list? Let the PawTripper team know!