All Northern Beaches open Saturday 24 January -Northern Beaches Council
-Northern Beaches Council stages reopening of beaches for the Australia Day long weekend
Posted Saturday 24 january,2025
As of today, Saturday, January 24, 2026, Northern Beaches Council has shifted to a staged reopening of beaches for the Australia Day long weekend. Following the spate of shark attacks earlier this week, lifeguards are now assessing each beach on an individual basis every morning.
Latest Beach Status (Saturday Update)
While many iconic spots have reopened, several remain closed due to residual “Dangerous Conditions” or poor “Water Quality” following recent heavy rains.
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Open: Manly (South Steyne), Freshwater, Collaroy, Newport, Palm Beach, and various Harbour beaches (Clontarf, Forty Baskets).
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Closed: North Steyne, Queenscliff, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Avalon, and Whale Beach.
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The “Shark Rule”: Any beach where a shark is sighted is automatically closed for a minimum of 24 hours.
Heightened Safety Measures
To provide security for swimmers during the holiday period, the following measures are in active effect:
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Aerial Surveillance: Drone patrols have been doubled for the long weekend to monitor for marine life.
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Jet Ski Patrols: Continuous water-based monitoring by lifeguards in high-risk zones.
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Extra SMART Drumlines: Additional drumlines have been deployed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to intercept sharks near popular swimming areas.
Major Event Cancellations
Despite the reopening, several major ocean events remain cancelled out of caution:
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The Big Swim: The 52nd annual Palm Beach to Whale Beach swim (scheduled for Sunday) is cancelled.
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Sydney Harbour Splash: The 10th-anniversary event has been called off.
Advice for Swimmers
Mayor Sue Heins has urged residents to “err on the side of caution.” Experts warn that murky water from recent flooding creates a “perfect storm” for bull shark activity. Swimmers are strictly advised to:
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Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk.
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Stay out of discolored or murky water.
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Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
Would you like me to find the specific current status for a particular beach, or perhaps look up the Australia Day event schedule for the ones that are open?
