Sydney has its fair share of beautiful beaches: from magical harbour coves to spectacular surf breaks. And since everyone has their own opinion as to which one reigns supreme (we’ve ranked our favourites here), sometimes it’s worth letting an external source decide. Every year, Tripadvisor reveals a list of the top 25 beaches in the world, and in 2025, Manly and Bondi were the only Aussie beaches to make the list.
As the highest-ranking Australian beach, Manly came in at number 15 on this year’s list – falling eight places from its position in seventh place back in 2024. While locals love Manly for its delightfully easy access to Norma’s and Felons Manly, Tripadvisor highlighted some other major drawcards: gentle waves for surfing, "shark safe" and lifeguarded swimming areas and the long walkway with “panoramic views”.
Tripadvisor described Manly as “at the centre of everything – literally”, which we’re not quite sure is accurate, but the close proximity to “shops, cafes and more” is true. And while we’d agree that Manly is an excellent beach-day option (especially for beginner surfers), we’re also keen to make a case for the beaches nearby: with Shelly Beach (and its resident Boathouse) and Delwood particular favourites of the Time Out Sydney team.
The next Australian beach to rank in Tripadvisor’s top 25 was the most famous in the country: Bondi Beach. While many local Sydneysiders scoff at praise for Bondi, and dislike its over-popularity, according to Tripadvisor, Bondi scored its place for similar reasons: surf, golden sand and proximity to nearby cafés. The famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk also got a mention, as did its ease of access, with Tripadvisor saying “easy access to public transportation makes getting there a breeze.”
Taking the top spot as Tripadvisor’s best beach in the world for 2025 was Elafonissi Beach in Crete, Greece, whose pink sand, turquoise waters and spectacular sunset views scored it the top spot.
You can read the full list of the world's best beaches according to the Tripadvisor community over here – and if the descriptions of Greek lagoons have got you craving a taste of European summer, try these spots around Sydney that we think do a great job at coming close.
Want to round out your day on the beach with an excellent dinner? These are the best restaurants in Manly, and these are our favourite places to eat in Bondi.
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