Whether you’re out for a walk with the pup, a brave early morning surf or a brunch with friends, there’s something about the beach atmosphere that holds an endless charm for all. And fortunately for us, our region has 40 to choose from, spread across over 87 kilometres of shoreline.
From small, peaceful nooks to tourist-packed favourites, each beach has it’s own unique character and population of locals bringing you the best hospitality and spirit.
So, pick a mood and then pick one of these Central Coast beaches to match it…
Most Popular Central Coast Beaches
1. Avoca Beach
In the summer months, Avoca Beach is the hottest destination on the Central Coast. And with good reason. There’s a large rockpool that’s safe for kids to swim in, two playgrounds, a decent surf and plenty of cafes and restaurants for lunch. A favourite for us is fish and chips on the beach from the award-winning Avoca Beach Seafoods. Patrolled during high season.
RELATED: The Six Best Terrigal Cafes To Visit On Your Next Visit
2. Pearl Beach
Often dubbed one of the best Central Coast beaches we have, Pearl Beach is a stunning stretch located on Broken Bay. The safest area to swim is at the southern end of the beach or in the ocean pool. There are some seriously stunning restaurants and cafes to choose from, including one of the region’s finest restaurants, Amalfi Pearl Beach.
3. Terrigal Beach
There’s no such thing as high season at Terrigal Beach. It’s as busy in winter as it is in summer, with surf lessons happening every weekend of the year. There are also Terrigal cafes and restaurants to choose from. For us, we love a dip in the ocean and then breakfast at Bellyfish. Then a bit of a shop before sunset drinks at Maew Maew or the Beach House before a pizza dinner at Rhonda’s. But really, there’s so many options. Patrolled during high season.
4. Terrigal Haven
Yes, there are two beaches in Terrigal. The haven can be found at the far southern end of Terrigal Beach, connected by the Terrigal Boardwalk. Here, the waters are calmer, making it a favourite Central Coast beach for families with young kids. The Cove Cafév is also great for lunch for breakfast and lunch. And if you’ve got the stamina, a walk to the top of The Skillion has stretching views from Avoca to Wamberal.
Central Coast Beaches for Surfing
5. Macmasters Beach
This is our top pick at Coasties. The pool at the far end is perfect for swimming laps and for playing with kids. It’s a wading pool so no sudden deep holes or sharp rocks. And above the beach is a grassy picnic area with a communal BBQ and toilets. This is unpatrolled but it doesn’t have to be. Very safe for swimming.
Macmasters Pool by @prabhjotsunyaraphotography
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6. Wamberal Beach
There’s something truly breathtaking when the sun rises on Wamberal Beach. It’s perhaps why so many people walk the length of it, which connects down to Terrigal, every day. This is a popular spot with dog owners, with off-lease available from Wamberal Surf Life Saving Club. We like to get our coffee-to-go from the Three Donkeys Whole Foods Café first.
7. Copacabana Beach
For those looking for a decent surf beach then it has to be Copacabana Beach. The waves can get monstrous here, which is great for the surfies but not so good for anyone else. There is a tidal pool during low tide which is more suitable for kids if the waves aren’t too big that day. Post surf snack? Head to Burnt Honey Bakery. You won’t regret it.
8. Little Beach
Found at the end of a bush track, Little Beach is a magical spot even for those who don’t want to go for a surf. There are plenty of rockpools for little kids. And the grass bank is perfect if you prefer a picnic sans sand. This is unpatrolled and can get choppy. And you can walk the track from here to Macmasters Beach.
9. Shelly Beach
For those looking for more of a gentle surf then Shelly Beach is where it’s at. It’s one of the best Central Coast beaches for those learning to navigate the waves, with surf classes available each weekend (even in winter). Afterwards, why not walk down to the main strip of shops in Toowoon Bay and grab an iced coffee at Rascals @Toowoon?
Calm Central Coast Beaches
10. Patonga Beach
In the summer months, Patonga Beach is one of the most popular day destinations on the Central Coast thanks to the connecting ferry to Palm Beach. But the joy here is there’s plenty of beach so it doesn’t feel too cramped. The water near the jetty is very calm, making it perfect for families. And there’s even a playground.  For takeout fish and chips, head over the kiosk at the Boathouse Hotel Patonga Beach.
11. Ettalong Beach
Generally, the wonderful Ettalong Beach offers calm waters. So calm, in fact, that on weekends you can do yoga on a standup paddleboard. This is a great swimming beach for families, especially with young kids. And there are plenty of fantastic restaurants and cafes nearby to choose from, including the ever-popular Box on the Water. This is a breakfast-through-to-dinner eatery, with happy hour available daily as the sun sets.
RELATED: A Slice of Sophistication at The BOX on the Water
Peaceful Central Coast Beaches
12. Maitland Bay
Found in the Bouddhi National Park, Maitland Bay is a stunner of a beach. Truly outstanding. The waters are clear and the sands are golden. And while it’s never patrolled, it’s the perfect spot for a cooling swim if you’re doing the national park walk. There’s no facilities here so bring a picnic and enjoy being plunged deep into nature.
13. Forresters Beach
Despite being smack bang in the middle of the region, Forresters Beach never feels overcrowded. The beach tucks around the corner of some cliffs on the northern side, creating rock pools big enough to swim in at high tide. And small enough for kids adventuring at low tide. But the main stretch of ocean can get a little wavey so great for surging, not so great for swimmers.
Dog-friendly Central Coast Beaches
14. Umina Beach
Umina Beach is so much more than a dog-friendly beach. Over two kilometres in length, it’s perfect for a long walk and it’s gentle waves are great for kids learning to swim. But for those looking for a dog-friendly beach that’s also off-lease head to the southern end of the beach. There’s always plenty of pooches down there.
RELATED: Full List of Every Central Coast Dog BeachÂ
15. Putty Beach
Found just at the opening to the Bouddi National Park trail, Putty Beach is a brilliant spot for off-lease dog fun. But beware, there’s strict rules about dogs going into the national park and the ranger is usually in the area. But this beach doubles up as a great summer swimming spot for humans too. An all-rounder!
KEEP READING:
Your Guide to Glamping on the Central Coast
Top 10 Seaside Cafes on the Central Coast
Congratulation!