Camp Cove
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
102 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
39
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
0
revett2016
Santa Rosa, CA529 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Wow what a gem as others have stated already. There’s a small protected beach with great wading, a cafe and toilet facilities. Additionally you can take a stroll out to the point. Along the way is a rock cliff (30 ft) where young ones jump off, a clothing optional beach, beautiful views toward Sydney, Shark Island and Manly, old battlements and the Hornby lighthouse. What more could you want?
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S4nnyBunny
Melbourne1,876 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
Fantastic little beach; requires some effort to get here either by car and finding parking, or by ferry and a 10 mins walk from the wharf. But once here, you are rewarded with excellent 360 views and a beach worth coming back to. The beach overlooks the Sydney city skyline. The Camp Cove kiosk serves tasty coffee and meals. Beautiful gold sand that stretches roughly 200m long.
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nickss1
Southend-on-Sea, UK4,566 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This beach is just a short walk away from the Watsons Bay ferry wharf. Even in the winter, it looked great. I’d imagine it would be very busy during the summer. There’s a great little kiosk in the corner, selling drinks and snacks. I look forward to returning in the summer
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stinkwink
Sydney, Australia7,389 contributions
Jul 2018
Camp Cove is the beach of Watsons Bay, that although have a beautiful bath, but hasn't a mentionable beach. Camp Cove is only 9-10 min (650.0 m) walk, via Marine Parade and Cliff St, so if you prefer a ferry ride, it is worth to go from Manly -depends from where are you coming from, maybe first from Circular Quay to Manly and after from there the Watsons Bay wharf. Of course, you can drive, or use public transport from York Str at Wynyard station, the bus No 324 till Military Rd terminus in Watsons Bay. From there a 750 m walk is waiting for you on Cliff St to Camp Cove.
This excellent sandy beach is a must. Governor Phillip was enchanted by it when he spent a night in that location. Aboriginal people were living there a long time ago; the numerous rock carvings are proof. Now it is a beachgoers Paradise. Play in the fresh water of the ocean, or on the shore pick up the racket of the badminton. If you get hungry, go to Camp Cove Kiosk. This is the place where possible to eat and have a coffee or a nice cold drink. The splashing waves of the ocean, the bright sunshine, the soft sand, and the stunning view will all make sure that you spend lovely, unforgettable hours there.
This excellent sandy beach is a must. Governor Phillip was enchanted by it when he spent a night in that location. Aboriginal people were living there a long time ago; the numerous rock carvings are proof. Now it is a beachgoers Paradise. Play in the fresh water of the ocean, or on the shore pick up the racket of the badminton. If you get hungry, go to Camp Cove Kiosk. This is the place where possible to eat and have a coffee or a nice cold drink. The splashing waves of the ocean, the bright sunshine, the soft sand, and the stunning view will all make sure that you spend lovely, unforgettable hours there.
Written March 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judith M
Winston Hills, Australia16 contributions
Jan 2019
Just adjacent to Sydney’s south head is the lovely harbour bay of Camp Cove.
It is a lovely shallow spot with lots of sea grass that is a nursery area for many species of marine life. There are sea horses and pipefish, baby box fish, schools of baby bream, small squid, sea squirts and soft corals. If you snorkel to the right Hans side past the small pier with the pumping station, you can see tons of flat head and sting rays on the sand. Banded coral shrimps and schools of mado can we found on the rocky face of the rock fall.
Keep your eyes open and plan your snorkel at high tide.
It is a lovely shallow spot with lots of sea grass that is a nursery area for many species of marine life. There are sea horses and pipefish, baby box fish, schools of baby bream, small squid, sea squirts and soft corals. If you snorkel to the right Hans side past the small pier with the pumping station, you can see tons of flat head and sting rays on the sand. Banded coral shrimps and schools of mado can we found on the rocky face of the rock fall.
Keep your eyes open and plan your snorkel at high tide.
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
k1w1brad
SYD-LON-MUC5,248 contributions
Jan 2011
SCUBA
As a scuba diver this place is great. Easy shore dive where you head to the right (bare North on your nav.)
Plenty to see such as cuttles, occy's, skippers and much much more. Have seen a number of seahorse too.
Night dives here are very good too. Just watch your buoyancy so you don't hover down on to a ray or other. Much more marine life to see also.
RELAX
Great place to just sit at one of the few tables next to the kiosk and have a drink and snack and just people watch.
SWIM
Very family friendly and not as busy as the main beaches (Bondi, Coogee, Manly). Shallow enough for the young ones yet head a little further out to tread a bit of water.
SUN
Bring a picnic and sit on the sand. I didn't notice any 'no alcohol' signs so why not a bottle wine red/white and a nice spread (picnic) with family and friends.
There is a parking lot next to the entrance/driveway that leads down to the beach but be sure to get there before 11am or midday.
For the divers get there before 9am or even 8am so you don't have to walk so far with your gear.
As a scuba diver this place is great. Easy shore dive where you head to the right (bare North on your nav.)
Plenty to see such as cuttles, occy's, skippers and much much more. Have seen a number of seahorse too.
Night dives here are very good too. Just watch your buoyancy so you don't hover down on to a ray or other. Much more marine life to see also.
RELAX
Great place to just sit at one of the few tables next to the kiosk and have a drink and snack and just people watch.
SWIM
Very family friendly and not as busy as the main beaches (Bondi, Coogee, Manly). Shallow enough for the young ones yet head a little further out to tread a bit of water.
SUN
Bring a picnic and sit on the sand. I didn't notice any 'no alcohol' signs so why not a bottle wine red/white and a nice spread (picnic) with family and friends.
There is a parking lot next to the entrance/driveway that leads down to the beach but be sure to get there before 11am or midday.
For the divers get there before 9am or even 8am so you don't have to walk so far with your gear.
Written January 7, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avril L
Sydney, Australia48 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
This little gem is hidden at the Northerly end of Watson's Bay. The beach is a netted harbour beach so the water is quite gentle and is good for young children and oldies too. The Kiosk has recently changed hands and the owners have really breathed life into the place. They serve really fresh Mediterranean type food. with lovely salads and smoothies.Coffee is really good too. Take a spectacular walk from here to South Head. Well worth the effort.. Amazing views of the Heads and back along the coast line.
Written December 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love2TrvlMM
Orlando, FL584 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
We came to Watsons Bay and ended up at Camp Cove as a better beach for us to enjoy. It was nice to watch future scuba divers practising while here. A small food and drink hut is also located by the beach (Camp Cove Kiosk) and they make some really great sandwiches!! Enjoy!!
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph L
Baulkham Hills, Australia77 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
It had been ages since I had come to this beach - over 30 years ago - I used to scuba dive off the beach for night dives. So time I took my family along to see how things have changed.
We came at the end of the day - from 3pm - and were lucky to find a parking within 50 metres. Old days there was no issue about parking, but nowdays so popular. We dragged our usual beach gear - tent, mat, snorkelling stuff - and set up at the North End of the beach and set up.
It was a scorching day - and as the beach is West facing, gets Sun till quite late in the day - so late afternoon was great for the kiddies. Beach was busy with loads of families and young couples from various different nationalities.
The sea was calm and warm with NO waves - great for snorkelling - saw a little green parrot fish and other schools of small white fish. But kids missed having some waves to use their boogie boards with - they are young and want only small waves.
But our greatest disappointment was the sand was littered with cigarette butts, we found a used condom and a strange little plastic packet that we thought would be better buried very deep.
We are used to some of the other family beaches on the North side of Sydney Harbour - which are clean and not so crowded.
It was interesting wandering to Eastern Suburbs, but we decided that we still loved the Northern Beaches a bit better.
We came at the end of the day - from 3pm - and were lucky to find a parking within 50 metres. Old days there was no issue about parking, but nowdays so popular. We dragged our usual beach gear - tent, mat, snorkelling stuff - and set up at the North End of the beach and set up.
It was a scorching day - and as the beach is West facing, gets Sun till quite late in the day - so late afternoon was great for the kiddies. Beach was busy with loads of families and young couples from various different nationalities.
The sea was calm and warm with NO waves - great for snorkelling - saw a little green parrot fish and other schools of small white fish. But kids missed having some waves to use their boogie boards with - they are young and want only small waves.
But our greatest disappointment was the sand was littered with cigarette butts, we found a used condom and a strange little plastic packet that we thought would be better buried very deep.
We are used to some of the other family beaches on the North side of Sydney Harbour - which are clean and not so crowded.
It was interesting wandering to Eastern Suburbs, but we decided that we still loved the Northern Beaches a bit better.
Written January 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SydneySkier
Sydney, Australia167 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
This beach has limited parking so never gets to crowded. Popular with families with small children on weekends and scuba diving groups during the week. Only 10 minutes walk North from the ferry wharf. Has toilets and an outdoor shower at the North end.
There is also a nice walk from there along to South Head and the Hornsby Lighthouse, with awesome views back to the city and across to Manly.
There is also a screened nudist beach down some steep stairs part way along the walk, for those inclined to get all their gear off.
Well worth it.
There is also a nice walk from there along to South Head and the Hornsby Lighthouse, with awesome views back to the city and across to Manly.
There is also a screened nudist beach down some steep stairs part way along the walk, for those inclined to get all their gear off.
Well worth it.
Written April 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingCamp Cove - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Camp Cove
- Hotels near Camp Cove:
- (0.33 mi) Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
- (2.10 mi) Roar & Snore at Taronga
- (2.06 mi) Wildlife Retreat at Taronga
- (2.77 mi) Quest Manly
- (3.65 mi) Wake Up! Bondi Beach
- Restaurants near Camp Cove:
- (0.30 mi) Doyles on the Beach Restaurant
- (0.39 mi) Dunbar House
- (0.32 mi) Beach Club at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
- (0.34 mi) Doyles Fishermans Wharf
- (0.33 mi) Fish & Chippery
Camp Cove Information
Excellent Reviews | 54 |
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Very Good Reviews | 39 |
Camp Cove Photos | 102 |