Cabbage Tree Bay

Cabbage Tree Bay is a popular aquatic reserve located in Manly Beach, covering an area of approximately 20 hectares.

The reserve aims to protect marine life species and offers visitors a lot of recreational activities such as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and underwater photography. The aquatic reserve stretches from the southern end of Manly Beach, including the rocky shores and beaches, to the northern Shelly Beach.

More than 150 species of fish can be found within the reserve, including iconic species such as blue groupers, giant cuttlefish, wobbygongs and a resident green turtle. It is also worth noting the reserve has a rich biodiversity of protected and threatened species such as weedy seadragons, seagrasses, elegant wrasse and grey nurse sharks. Swimming and snorkelling in the bay provide visitors with opportunities to see these magnificent marine animals up close.

Cabbage Tree Bay is a strictly protected aquatic reserve, and fishing or collecting any marine life is strictly prohibited. Visitors are encouraged to be respectful of the marine environment and strictly adhere to the rules and regulations enforced by the reserve.

Visitors can enter the waters of Cabbage Tree Bay from Half Way Beach, where there are steps down onto the sand, or more safely, from Shelly Beach at the end of the walkway. On the Half Way beach, visitors can also take advantage of a beautiful rock pool, restaurant and small gift shop. Shelly Beach includes a very popular restaurant where visitors can sit down for a delicious meal or grab takeaway food to enjoy on the beach. There are toilets and change facilities at both locations, and at Shelly Beach, there are gas barbeques as well as picnic tables. Park either in Manly or in the car park