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Just south of big brother, Maroubra, and approximately 12km south of Bondi, lies the much lesser-known Malabar Beach. It’s smaller, quieter, but definitely no less spectacular. Tucked into Long Bay, Malabar is backed by Cromwell Park and protected either side by beautiful rocks and greenery, giving it a much more tranquil feel than some of Sydney’s other city beaches.
One of the main advantages of Malabar Beach is the clear and calm water – perfect for paddle boarding, snorkelling or swimming; there are even two shipwrecks to swim out to and a rock pool overlooking the bay. A trip to Malabar is the perfect day out if you’re looking for peace and nature.
Things to Do at Malabar Beach
- SWIM – in the clear, tranquil sea (no lifeguard patrol here) or up at Malabar Rock Pool.
- SNORKEL OR SCUBA DIVE – the shipwrecked MV Malabar and Goolgwai.
- PADDLE BOARD – around the protected and calm Long Bay.
- PLAY – at the children’s playground in Cromwell Park behind the beach.
- OBSERVE – the pretty bay view from the strategically placed benches up on Bay Parade.
Malabar Rock Pool
Head up Bay Parade and you’ll come to a car park just before the golf course on Howe St and a path down to Malabar Rock Pool. Swim for free with the locals and enjoy the utterly priceless view!
Amenities at Malabar Beach
- TOILETS & SHOWERS – directly behind the beach
- BARBECUES, PICNIC TABLES & DRINKING FOUNTAIN – in Cromwell Park behind the beach
Food & Drink
- Eat or grab a coffee just across from the beach at Malabar Beach Café, 59 Bay Parade.
- For more choice there’s a small strip of shops and cafes where Prince Edward St meets Franklin St.
Parking at Malabar Beach
- There’s free, unrestricted road parking, plus a small car park opposite Beach Café on Bay Parade and another on the northern side of the beach on Fishermans Road. There’s also a larger car park on Franklin St between Cromwell Park and Pioneers Park.
Public Transport
Regular buses run down to Malabar Beach from the city, taking about 50 minutes. Check the trip planner for details.
If you’re looking for more beaches in the Malabar area, check out my blog post on Sydney’s best Eastern Suburbs beaches. Or read my guide to the much bigger Maroubra Beach, famed for its excellent surf, or the pretty Little Bay Beach, perfect for snorkelling. Thanks for reading!
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Lisa Bull, founder of Dreaming of Down Under, has been living in Australia as a British expat since 2015. After travelling to every state and territory in Australia and living in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, Lisa knows from first-hand experience the best destinations to visit in Australia and the best budget travel tips. Her guides on this blog have been read by over 700k readers and helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in or travelling Australia.
