Boating the best side of Sydney: Some of the most beautiful boating locations to enjoy in Broken Bay, Cowan Creek and Pittwater

Jan 314 min read

If your boat is located at Bobbin Head or you are a Member of Freedom Boat Club Sydney North you have an abundance of boating locations to enjoy in easy reach.

Just one of the advantages of boating in this area is the lack of commercial and charter traffic - so no ferries to avoid and no loud music party boats to pull up next to you either like in Sydney Harbour. The lack of chop on the water also makes for a smoother ride and more relaxed anchorage in the bay - where your beer can sit happily/champagne can rest on the table without wash/wave disturbance!

These waterways located just north of Sydney, offers a variety of picturesque anchorages ideal for boating enthusiasts. Here are just a few of the best spots to consider:

Marina in Sydney — The Basin (Coasters Retreat)

🛥️ The Basin (Coasters Retreat)

A popular destination with plenty of space to have a picnic under the trees, featuring a netted swimming area, an inland lagoon and camping facilities with toilets and showers. You should spot some wildlife here too including Wallabies and maybe even a Stingray. There are covered seating areas and BBQ's and plenty of space to kick a ball around. Accessible by boat or public ferry, it's a favourite among families.

🛥️ 2. Refuge Bay

This is a favourite with Bobbin Head Boaters because of it's abundance of moorings and sheltered anchorages. Known for its stunning waterfall and sandy beach, Refuge Bay provides a serene setting surrounded by natural beauty. The kids will love swimming over to the waterfall, building sandcastles on the little beach and paddling in the waterfall pool. Swimming in front of the beach here is very relaxing and the tall cliffs around the bay provide protection except from the North.

If you have the stamina to climb to the top of the waterfall you can enjoy the views from the stunning cliff-top waterhole above the beach.

Grab a coffee and a Bacon and Egg Roll at Waterside Bistro at Empire Marina Bobbin Head before you set off on your adventure around these stunning waterways.

🛥️ 3. America Bay

Adjacent to Refuge Bay, America Bay is characterized by its secluded environment and impressive sandstone cliffs, offering a tranquil anchorage especially if the wind is coming from the North.
Rockier and smaller than Refuge Bay Beach, America Bay has a north-westerly aspect and it has a creek and another waterfall at the back of the beach. It can get a little warm in the end of the bay in summer because of the lack of breeze.

🛥️ 4. Morning Bay/Towlers Bay

A quiet bay just north of Scotland Island, Morning Bay is favoured for its proximity to local marinas and eateries, making it a convenient and peaceful spot.
You can grab a Take Away Pizza or supplies from the Corner Shop at Church Point to enjoy here.
Towlers Bay beach is a beautiful small sandy beach, sheltered from northeast winds, that often has larger boats moored off the sand flats and dinghies pulled up on the beach. The area also has a large creek with intertidal sand flats extending 100 m into the bay – a great place to explore in your dinghy.
This bay is located on the Western foreshore of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park between Portuguese Beach to the north and Lovett Bay to the south.
Morning Bay provides a safe anchorage, has a sandy beach with plenty of rock platforms, trees with improvised rope-swings, a lagoon and a creek to explore. Morning Bay offers protection from West to North East winds.

🛥️ 5. Portuguese Beach

North of Towlers Bay, Portuguese Beach is a lesser known beach that offers safe anchoring for just a few boats, there are no moorings here. This is a great location in the winter months, as it offers protection from westerlies while also providing sunshine as soon as the sun rises.
The clear water and shallow depth (note for bigger boats therefore not suitable) provide a secluded sanctuary for Freedom Boat Club Members on Anchor.
Located on the Western foreshore of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park between The Basin Beach to the north and Towlers Bay to the south.
Portuguese Beach
This beach has no access from the land so it's one only boaters and boat club members get to enjoy. The short sandy beach and shallow waters are ideal for swimming and waterbased activities during a westerly. Anchoring at Portuguese Beach offers protection from Westerly winds. The stretch of the beach gets very shallow as you get close to the shore keep an eye on your instruments and avoid others boaters when anchoring.

🛥️ 6. Fishermans Beach

Fishermans Beach is opposite Refuge Bay and is a longer, more open beach more exposed to the wind but a great place to explore. There are fantastic rocky areas to walk through which provide amazing backdrops for photos of the kids playing.