A Ferry Ride And A Walk From Manly To Shelly Beach

It was cloudy and trying to rain the whole day but it didn’t.

I haven’t touched my camera for a few months now and finally had a weekend free to do whatever I want to do.

So I was determined to get out and go for a walk last Sunday, via a slightly exciting route hopefully. There were a few options in mind. Walking along Wanda Beach in Sydney South, going to Wastons Bay in Sydney East and walking up all the way to the light house or catching a ferry to Manly Beach in Sydney North and wandering around local beach areas. Wanda Beach could get really windy and there won’t be many photo opportunities in a cloudy day like that. I wanted to snap a few photos, nothing spectacular but at least some scenery photos not just for the beach. Wastons Bay is more photogenic but finding parking on a weekend would be challenging. It could be reached by Ferry too but the Ferry service is not as regular as the one goes to Manly Beach. Alright then, Manly Beach it is.

An overcast day for a ferry ride to Manly

The Circular Quay to Manly Ferry ride is a fabulous way to enjoy the full view of our stunning Sydney Harbour. I felt like a tourist but it’s either this or sitting at home or in the crazily slow Sydney weekend traffic. Our ferry passed Opera house, lots of sailing boats and arrived at Manly Wharf in 30 minutes. Streets of Manly were packed with people getting off the ferry. There were plenty going on last Sunny afternoon in Manly – street artists performing, market stalls along the beach selling over priced merchandise, surfing school students learning in groups.

An easy 15 – 20 minutes’ stroll will take you from Manly Wharf to Shelly Beach. It is a beautiful, calm beach perfect for a leisurely swim or fun snorkel.  The marine life around Shelly Beach is colourful and protected, water crystal clear. I couldn’t help but taking my shoes off and walking into the water. What a refresh feeling! Shame I didn’t have my swimming suites with me.

Manly Beach

Manly to Shelly Beach walk

That’s Shelly Beach behind the pool

Looking back to Manly Beach

If you are feeling energetic and have a full day to wander around, there are a few famous walk tracks around Manly area. The Manly to Spit Bridge walk is one. You can also walk from Manly Beach all the way to North Head. Sunset must be spectacular around Manly Wharf too but not on a heavily overcast day of course. Next time when it’s not rainy, too cold or too hot and sun is visible, I’ll definitely do one of those walks and take some photos of sunset.

Here’s to more pleasant walks in 2018!