Lady Bay Beach

2 Reviews
Tags: Australia, NSW, and Sydney
Yes - close by but not on the beach
No
Yes - paid parking nearby
Nudity is not required

The Good

  • Easy Access: This is the easiest nude beach to access from Sydney CBD. Take a ferry and enjoy a quick 15min leisurely stroll from Watsons Bay. More transport details HERE.
  • Officially Naked: The sign tells everyone what to expect here and it is a legally protected nude beach. No grey areas!
  • Wildlife and Nature: The area is surrounded by natural parkland, which is home to native flora and fauna, making the experience very peaceful.
  • Scenic Views: Naked swims with Sydney Harbour and Opera House in the background and views of the Pacific Ocean? Iconic and stunning!
  • Community Vibe: The beach has friendly and respectful regulars who contribute to the community feel of an authentic nude beach.

The Bad

  • Looky-loos: Not in a creepy way but more out of curiosity. The coastal path runs above the beach which gives walkers a view of the beach (and possibly the first nude beach they've seen). Be aware but not alarmed.
  • Small Size: The beach isn't massive in size and fills up particularly quickly on weekends. Go early or visit during the week for more laidback vibes.
  • Limited Parking: The small suburban streets provide limited parking and the nearby parking lots are small. Lady Bay is best visited by public transport, which is easy enough anyway.

The Naked Truth

Lady Bay Beach offers a priceless experience with its stunning vistas of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, all enjoyed from the unassuming comfort of its shores. There's something uniquely liberating about swimming in the buff with such prestigious landmarks as your backdrop. Naturally, this scenic spot can draw a crowd on weekends, and the occasional curious onlooker may wander along the coastal path above. It may not be the ideal spot for those new to nude beaches who are still finding their comfort zone. However, it's definitely worth a visit. Hop on a ferry, pack your essentials, and remember to bring everything you need — this picturesque place comes with breathtaking views but no amenities.

Insider Tip

Come early on a weekend and bring food from nearby Watsons Bay

Who's Here

Mostly locals with a mix of single men and couples. Everyone is usually naked here.

Beach Surface

Sand and rocks

Access Difficulty

Medium - small walk and some stairs
Vritomartis Ad
Vritomartis Ad

Photos

Our Visit

Matt & Megan
Nude Beach Map. Visited 2023

We visited Lady Bay Beach on a mild summer morning during a weekday. This place would be the perfect day trip if you’re visiting Sydney; the ferry ride takes you past the Harbour Bridge and right next to the iconic Sydney Opera House. Tourist hotspots and a nude beach in the same day? Perfect!

Lady Bay is the easiest nude beach to visit from Sydney’s downtown. Unlike Cobblers Beach or Obelisk Beach, which are directly opposite, you won’t need to catch a bus or hike a long distance. The short walk from Watsons Bay brings you to a small cove with stunning views of the harbour and the Pacific Ocean. For city views from a nude beach, this place is number one in our book, and the only beach that could maybe compare is Baker Beach, which has views of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

Click to show more

When we arrived mid-morning, there were already about a dozen people on the beach, which surprised us because it was a weekday, and it wasn’t especially hot. As the morning progressed, the beach became busier, and most people tended to stick to the far end of the beach—away from the stairs. This area seemed a little more private and away from the curious eyes of walkers on the coastal trail above. We didn’t mind being in the middle of the beach, but if it’s your first experience, you might feel awkward. That said, we didn’t see anyone being obnoxious or taking photos.

The crowd here is a mix of locals and some visiting tourists. When we visited on a weekday, it was mostly single men and women—presumably getting a tan in before or after work. The fact that single women choose to visit here goes to show how safe and secure this location feels. We get the impression that the community takes care of the beach and is dedicated to ensuring it provides a positive nude beach experience.

The sand is soft, and there are some rocky areas where you can also settle down. Unfortunately, due to the direct ocean views, it can get pretty rough here if the conditions allow, but most of the year, the waves gently lap the shore, and going for a dip is easy. Just avoid the rocky sections and enter the water towards the middle of the beach (you can see the gap in the rocks)—we learned this the hard way!

Overall, Lady Bay Beach is a gem. It’s Sydney’s first legal nude beach, and its location is world-class. If we had to choose a favorite, it’d be a tough decision between Lady Bay and Cobblers Beach—which has a similar vibe but is slightly bigger and a little more private. However, the views and ease of access at Lady Bay can’t be beat! Highly recommended. Camp Cove Kiosk nearby serves up tasty lunches and is the nearest food option, otherwise bring your own and enjoy sans clothing on the beach.

Questions? Comments? Add your thoughts or photos below!

Map

Getting There

Lady Bay Beach, nestled within the Sydney Harbour National Park, is accessible yet discreet. Whether you're driving or taking public transport, the final leg of the journey to Lady Bay Beach is on foot, so comfortable footwear is advised. The path is pretty easy and the final stretch to the beach is down a short section of well constructed stairs.

By Car: Drive towards the affluent suburb of Vaucluse. Navigate to New South Head Road and continue until you reach the turnoff for Camp Cove. Parking can be found near Camp Cove, but it's limited and operates on a pay-and-display basis. From the parking area, follow the signs leading to Lady Bay Beach. It's a bit of a trek down a steep path, so wear comfortable shoes.

By Public Transport: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. There is a fast but limited private option or the more regular public ferry that can be slower with more stops. Once you disembark, it's a scenic walk past the Watsons Bay Baths and along the South Head Heritage trail. Follow the signs directing you to Lady Bay Beach. The walk is picturesque but is uphill in a few sections, so prepare for around 15mins of walking each way.

 

Socials

User Comments

2 Reviews on “Lady Bay Beach”

Overall rating
  • Alex

    Cute and small beach. Not too crowded.

    Reply
  • Paul

    Great beach – but be prepared for many tourists to stop and stare and take pics if you are at the end of the beach closest to the stairs and viewing platforms.

    Reply

Leave a Review

Select a rating
Overall
Drop files here

OR

Allowed file types: .jpg, .jpe, .jpeg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .ico
(You can upload 10 files)
Please drag & drop the files to rearrange the order

Nearby Nude Beaches

Beautiful sandy beach and stunning water at Obelisk Beach
Nude Beach

Obelisk Beach

Mosman, New South Wales
Australia
Small but mighty! Cobblers can get busy.
Nude Beach

Cobblers Beach

Sydney, New South Wales
Australia
Soft sand and unofficially nude at Little Congwong Beach in Sydney
Nude Beach

Little Congwong Beach

La Perouse, New South Wales
Australia
Little Jibbon Beach in Bundeena is rarely crowded
Nude Beach

Little Jibbon Beach

Jibbon, New South Wales
Australia
The walk is worth it for views like this at Werrong Nude Beach
Nude Beach

Werrong Beach

Otford, New South Wales
Australia