No
No
Yes - very limited free street parking
Nudity not required
The Good
- Not Crowded: Despite the sandy beach being barely 50 meters long, it rarely becomes crowded here. Even when the nearby Jibbon Beach is bustling, this spot remains a hidden oasis that is relatively easy to reach.
- Well Known Nude Beach: Little Jibbon is well known to locals as a nude beach. You'll sometimes see people swimming naked at the far end of Jibbon Beach, but this isn't always the case and can surprise nearby textile swimmers! Likewise the beach dubbed 'Ocean Beach' just past Little Jibbon Beach is also known to attract skinnydippers but this is not as reliable.
- You're in Nature: The beach faces northwest and looks across Port Hacking. Here, you're not just at a beach; you're enveloped by the natural beauty that the Royal National Park has to offer.
- Ancient Carvings: Right near the beach you'll find the well marked Aboriginal engravings. The viewing platform is worth the extra few minutes walk and gives you a great view of the killer whales, stingrays and animals that are carved into the rocks. The engravings were made by the local Dharawal people who once inhabited the Port Hacking area.
The Bad
- Tricky Swimming: Taking a dip here is mostly restricted to the rock pools and if the waves are rough you can forget even getting that far.
- Rough Climbing: The last 50 metres involves descending down a rocky cliff trail. Take your time and be absoluely certain you're going down the right trail!
- Distance from Sydney: Coming from Sydney CBD you're looking at 1 - 1.5 hours just to get to Bundeena, add on the walk and it is not an easy destinaion to reach unless you are down this way.
- Parking Can Be Tough: Car parking is only available on limited residential streets, so be prepared to either do a few laps to find a spot or park a decent distance away from the trail.
- Muddy Trail: After heavy rain the trail from the end of Jibbon Beach can be wet and muddy.
The Naked Truth
Little Jibbon Beach is the most isolated nude beach in Sydney but that doesn't make it the least preferable option. If you have time for a daytrip to the southern part of Sydney you'll be rewarded with stunning views and a very local nude beach experience. On weekdays you might even have the beach to yourself, while 'busy' normally means there are half a dozen people here.
Stock up on supplies in Bundeena and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the soft sand of Jibbon Beach. Beware the last 50 metres of the trail past the headland is steep and it can get really muddy after heavy rainfall. If you're up for a little adventure this is a fun beach to visit. While the sand is nice the water can be rough and surrounded by rocks. This is definitely not the place to force a swim if you don't have to!
Insider Tip
Avoid swimming when the water is rough. The rocky seabed can make it difficult to enter and exit the water, even in calm weather.
Who's Here
A mix of locals in the know and bushwalkers breaking up a long hike with a nude dip
Beach Surface
Sand surrounded by a rocky shoreline
Access Difficulty
Medium - a beach walk and short hike
1 Reviews on “Little Jibbon Beach”
I’m lucky that Little Jibbon is close to home, which means it is a regular spot for me. Expect a ~20 minute walk, along Jibbon, over the headland, and then the scramble down to the beach. Often if Jibbon is quiet I’ll forego the walk and just shed the cozzie at the far end and swim there, staying in the water when textiles walk past.
Finding the way down to Little Jibbon is a first time challenge – the most popular entry seems to follow the steep sided creek gully. Head directly for the beach before crossing the bridge, and watch your footing on the rocks. If you cross the gully bridge, there is a scramble down where the path overlooks the beach, but it is sketchy if only barefoot or in thongs.
Little Jibbon is directly overlooked by the coast track walking path, which is fairly frequently travelled in the warmer or holiday periods. Similarly, there are often fisho’s off the rocks, or in boats just off the beach. If you’re unconcerned about people potentially seeing you, it’s fine, but I wouldn’t call it secluded. I don’t mind, but am conscious that it isn’t an official beach, and I don’t want to offend folks not inclined that way, who are just out for a bushwalk with the kids etc. I still go, because I think de-stigmatising nudity is important, and if I’m not being weird, then it should be an easy discussion or a simple ‘shrug and move on’ for other folks.
I have had one experience there with an older gent who was clearly there for more exhibitionist reasons. I don’t mind that personally, but felt that it wasn’t the place for it, given the passers-by.
The beach is fairly spacious, I’ve never seen it crowded. There is a small overhanging cave on the western end that you can shelter in. At high tide or a good swell there’s less space, so pick accordingly. The water is always fresh and clear, being so open to the ocean.
I’ve rated it a three – worth a visit, beautiful on quieter days, but I think there are better options in Sydney.