Quarantine Beach, Manly: Getting there, swimming & hotel

Quarantine Beach, Manly, is where ships used to dock for the former North Head Quarantine Station. It is now a quiet cove, ideal for swimming in Sydney Harbour.

Where is Quarantine Beach?

Quarantine Beach is a small beach on the north shore of Sydney Harbour. It is part of the North Head section of Sydney Harbour National Park in Manly.

Why visit Quarantine Beach, Manly?

Quarantine Beach gets its name from the former Quarantine Station at North Head. Most people visiting the beach will be coming to do a tour of the Quarantine Station. And, frankly, with good reason. It’s a fascinating experience.

Manly experiences to book before you arrive

Northern Beaches and Ku-Ring-Gai National Park guided tour – enjoy the best of northern Sydney.
Manly and Shelly Beach snorkelling tour – discover Sydney’s secret underwater world.
Stand-up paddleboard hire – glide along the harbour.
Self-guided bike tour – visit several gorgeous spots on two wheels.
Single kayak or double kayak hire – paddle yourself to hidden harbour beaches.

How to get to Quarantine Beach

Before Covid struck, there was a ferry service between Manly and Quarantine Beach. Now, alas, you’ll need to have your own boat to get there by water.

This clearly isn’t going to be an option for the vast majority of travellers, so you’ll have to either come by car or take the 161 bus from Manly. Quarantine Beach is an 800 metre downhill walk from the bus stop.

Is it safe to swim at Quarantine Beach?

Quarantine Beach is one of the safest beaches in Sydney to swim. North Head protects this 200 metre Manly beach from the ocean swells. However, it is not protected by lifeguards and access via land is only permitted between sunrise and sunset.

Get your Aussie beach kit on the cheap
Fix up great deals on swimwear, beach towels and snorkelling gear now.
And look for discounts on sunglasses, sun cream or a really good book.

Q Station Hotel

It is possible, however, to stay near Quarantine Beach. The Q Station Hotel occupies sections of the former Quarantine Station, and it is one of the most memorable places to stay in Sydney. You might wake up in the morning to find bandicoots scampering along the lawns. Prices start at $199 per night.