Balgowlah Heights · New South Wales · Australia
Forty Baskets Beach
You'll descend a slender staircase carved between banksias and eucalypts to find a thirty-meter arc of sand facing west across Middle Harbour. The netted enclosure keeps out jellies, the wooden picnic shelters smell of decades of sausage sizzles, and the water—calm, brackish, faintly green—barely ripples even when nor'easters pummel the open coast three kilometres away.
Reading live conditions…
Live from Open-Meteo · sea surface temperature and wave data modelled at 1-km grid resolution for Forty Baskets Beach. Numbers refresh at the hourly tick.
- Purity
- 0%
- Conditions
- 0%
- Crowd
- 0%
- Vibe
- 0%
The OnlyBeaches Index weighs four pillars against your chosen persona. Purity comes from water clarity and air-quality heuristics; Conditions from Open-Meteo waves, wind and temperatures; Crowd from historical patterns; Vibe from nearby events within 50 km. The score rebalances throughout the day.
You'll descend a slender staircase carved between banksias and eucalypts to find a thirty-meter arc of sand facing west across Middle Harbour. The netted enclosure keeps out jellies, the wooden picnic shelters smell of decades of sausage sizzles, and the water—calm, brackish, faintly green—barely ripples even when nor'easters pummel the open coast three kilometres away.
Photos
8 captures from Forty Baskets Beach
About this beach
Where it is
Forty Baskets Beach
Balgowlah Heights, New South Wales, Australia
-33.8006°, 151.2677°
Top things to do
At Forty Baskets Beach
Net-Protected Harbour Swimming
Calm water, no waves ever
Shallow Rock Pools
Eastern headland at low tide
Paddle Middle Harbour
Launch from beach at slack
BYO Picnic
Shelters with harbour breeze views
Near this beach
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Forty Baskets Beach.
Questions people actually ask about Forty Baskets Beach.
Is Forty Baskets Beach safe for swimming and families?
Forty Baskets Beach is an excellent choice for families due to its sheltered harbour location, which creates calm, gentle waters ideal for children. The beach is protected from ocean swells, making swimming conditions generally safe year-round. There's no surf lifeguard patrol, so parents should supervise children closely. The shallow, clear water and netted swimming enclosure provide additional safety. Rocky areas at either end offer rock pool exploration at low tide, though proper footwear is recommended to avoid slips on algae-covered surfaces.
What is the best time to visit Forty Baskets Beach?
Forty Baskets Beach is enjoyable year-round thanks to Sydney's mild climate and its harbour location. Summer (December-February) offers warm water temperatures perfect for swimming, though weekends can get busy with locals. Autumn and spring provide pleasant weather with fewer crowds, ideal for peaceful visits. Winter remains surprisingly appealing, with calm conditions for brisk swims and stunning clear days. Weekday mornings are quietest regardless of season. The beach faces northeast, so morning visits offer the best sun exposure, while afternoons can become shaded by surrounding cliffs.
