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At a glance

  • Sun, 12 Jan 2025
  • Bilgola Beach, Bilgola NSW
  • Ocean Swim
  • 500m & 1.5km
  • Around The Buoys

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  • Last held on Sun, 12 Jan 2025

Recommended event

Bilgola 'Billy' Swim

How to enter

Online entries are closed

At a glance

  • Sun, 12 Jan 2025
  • Bilgola Beach, Bilgola NSW
  • Ocean Swim
  • 500m & 1.5km
  • Around The Buoys

Why this event?

A beautiful boutique swim tucked away on Bilgola Beach

If you’re after a swim that feels like a secret, tucked between headlands, hugged by cliffs, and filled with friendly faces, the Bilgola ‘Billy’ is it. One of the most charming and low-key swims on the Northern Beaches calendar, this event is all about community, connection, and that boutique beach energy you don’t find just anywhere.
It’s the kind of swim where you’ll spot familiar faces, get a warm welcome from the surf club crew, and walk away with salty hair and a big smile. With two distances on offer, it caters to everyone, whether you’re dipping your toe into ocean swimming for the first time or chasing a solid summer hit-out.
The water is usually crystal clear, the beach is tucked away from the crowds, and the setting is pure postcard, natural, unspoilt, and backed by bushland. Add in the laid-back vibe, great local support, and a course that lets you really enjoy the beauty of the bay, and it’s easy to see why the Billy has such a loyal following.
It’s a local favourite for a reason, and once you’ve done it, you’ll be back next year too.

What's on offer

500m Ocean Swim
A nice small circuit just off the beach, loaded with water safety.
  • 13 Years Old
1.5km Ocean Swim
The diamond-shaped course offers the challenge of a straight run out through the break, then turning NE, aiming towards the dramatic headlands that mark the boundaries of the beach. Turning SE, the furthest point out for the swim is about 500m from shore. Then, turning SW, if you care to look, you’ll see southern neighbours, Newport Beach -but stop before you reach it, as you’ll turn NW on the next-to-final leg approaching Bilgola. The final leg is directly back through the break, with the waves and the high tide at about the time of your return to the beach, allowing a gracious and spectacular return to the beach.
  • 15 Years Old

Swim map

What to expect in the water

Bilgola Beach is nestled between Avalon and Newport, protected by steep headlands that often help reduce swell and block the wind. It’s a beautifully quiet pocket of sand with a gentle slope and usually clean, small surf.
In January, the water sits around 22–24°C, perfect for skins or wetsuits. Conditions are typically manageable, making this swim ideal for those newer to open water or just getting back into it post-holidays.

Swimmer essentials

Wetsuits are welcome but rarely needed in January. Water temps are swimmer-friendly, and the beach is well patrolled with lifesavers and water safety along the course. Be confident in basic open water skills, especially for the 1.5km swim.

Getting there & around

Bilgola’s secluded setting is part of its charm, but it does mean a little extra planning to get there smoothly. There’s limited parking near the beach, so if you’re after a close spot, arrive early. Otherwise, there are a few solid options nearby with easy access.
Your best bet is Porter Reserve at North Newport. You’ll find the entry via Burke Street, just off Barrenjoey Road on the left as you leave Newport heading north. From there, a free shuttle bus will run regular loops to Bilgola Beach, starting at 7:45 am and continuing until around 12 noon. Look for the friendly Billy Swim volunteers holding signs.
You can also park at the Newport Beach car park, where the shuttle will stop too. Just a heads-up: Northern Beaches Council parking fees apply at both Porter Reserve and Newport car park.
Prefer to stretch your legs? There’s a beautiful walking track over the headland between North Newport and Bilgola Beach, about 12 minutes of coastal views and salty air. Join the track from the north end of Newport Beach and enjoy one of the prettiest pre-swim strolls around.
Whichever way you’re getting there, be sure to allow enough time to reach the beach, check in, and soak in the atmosphere before your race kicks off.

  • Bilgola Beach
  • Bilgola NSW, Australia

While you're there

Bilgola is the kind of place you stay a little longer. Bring a towel, stretch out on the sand post-swim, or take a dip in the heritage ocean pool at the northern end of the beach. For food, head over the hill to Avalon for brunch at Nourished or coffee from The Sneaky Grind.
It’s the kind of swim morning that lingers, in the best way.

Results

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2025 results are available

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