What is the easiest way to get to the beaches near Sydney--and which would you recommend-and why? Many thanks

I am assuming you will be staying in the city? If so you could look at going to Manly in which case you can do a nice trip on the ferry from Circular Quay( don't choose the hydrofoil) across the harbour to Manly. You could also go out to Bondi ( either by 380 bus from Circular Quay or by train to Bondi Junction and get the 380 from there to the beach.

or you can get the train to Cronulla

pennez - it depends if your talking about ocean beaches or harbour beaches.
For all the beaches, you can get a bus to most. However, for the harbour beaches, you can get a ferry to most.
If your staying in the heart of the city, why not get a "one day" Daytripper ticket, which includes travel on trains, buses or ferries over a 24 hr period on one day, and that way, really make a day out of it, like getting a bus to Palm Beach (a beach that most tourists never see, and probably one of the most scenic beach/waterway areas of Sydney), then a bus back to Manly, walk around the Corso (a bit grotty), then the ferry from Manly back into the City.

pennez, I forgot to add something to that reply of mine, if you get back to your city hotel, and thinking of going out to a nice restaurant with a great view of the city, then DONT THROW AWAY YOUR DAYTRIPPER TICKETS, use them to go over to Watson Bay, from Circular Quay, and have dinner at either the Watsons Bay Hotel, and Doyles Seafood Restaurant, enjoy the view of the city and its lights, as the suns set, of course enjoying a nice white wine, then meander back to the ferry, for your evening trip to Circular Quay, again enjoying the city lights as you near the Quay.

The big question, as mentioned before, is whether you want harbour beaches or ocean beaches. I don't like waves much so prefer harbour - in which case Balmoral Beach is the best. But it isn't that easy to get to - there is a bus - forgive me if I can't quote the number and route - but it shouldn't be beyond you to find out. Check out the website of Sydney Buses. I can't give you a URL - just try google.

The website is www.131500.com.au. It has the ferry schedules, too, if you want to know more about trips to Manly, which is, as Peteralan so rightly pointed out, your best destination because of the trip across.... amd also because it will serve your purpose whether you like ocean beaches or harbour beaches.... Manly has both. It's also easy to walk around the shores to several other beaches nearby, including Fairy Bower, which is often missed by tourists.

Hi Pennez,

I live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, and I agree that:

(1) A trip across to Manly on the ferry is the best thing. It is a beautiful harbour trip and Manly beach is very nice. This is a top trip!

(2) In this post, there has been no mention of Bondi Beach which is not on the wonderful Northern Beaches, but in the Eastern Suburbs - most overseas visitors like to go there, but heh, I am from the Northern Beaches and think the Northern Beaches are best!

(3) For Northern Beaches, catch the L90 or L88 to Colleroy (about 30 mins) or Newport (just 10 mins further on) for beaches just across the road from the bus stop.

Hope you have fun!

I used the Manly Beach ferry almost every day.

If you don't like waves, Clovelly is also a great option - long ocean pool, on a still day it's magic. great for lolling about and take goggles or a snorkel and see the massive blue groper fish that live there. you can get the 339 all the way there. You can also then walk to coogee via gordons bay, or around to bondi taking in bronte and tamarama, then get back to the city from bondi on the bus.

I used Coogee Beach everyday when I was there. It was close to my house. I must agree that Manly is beautiful!

Absolutely, lorikeet the northern beaches of Sydney take the cake, at Palm Beach there's surf on one side and the calm waters of Pittwater on the other. Ferry from Palm Beach over to Mackerel Beach and The Basin, or around the Hawkesbury area to Ettalong, superb scenery and not too far out of the city.

I'm traveling with pennez. What are the best beaches for snorkeling?

On the Northern Beaches, I know people go diving at Long Reef, but I wouldn't think it would suit snorkelling?? Anyone know? Anyway, Pennez, you are spoilt for choice with beaches close to a great city. But I must re-iterate the City to Manly ferry - you get to see the wonderful harbour as well as a great beach, for the small cost of a ferry ticket.

snorkel at clovelly or around the corner at gordon's bay (between clovelly and coogee).
don't know about north, only in the east. try and do both - both east and northern beaches have their unique feel