Collaroy Beach Ocean Swim

If you're after a swim that will show you some of the best marine life Sydney has to offer, the Collaroy Beach ocean swim is just that.
The event on Sydney's northern beaches has two swims over relatively short distances.
Both swims take you over patches of reef that really highlight the local marine biodiversity.
Collaroy Beach is actually situated smack bang in the middle of one of Sydney's largest marine parks, Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.
More on that later, but first to the Collaroy Beach Ocean Swim itself.

Long Reef Aquatic Reserve

One of the most beautiful things about the Collaroy Beach Ocean Swim is that it takes you into the oldest marine park in Sydney.
The Long Reef Aquatic Reserve was declared a protected marine park in 1980 and covers an area of almost 80 hectares.
It was declared such an area in order to protect the biodiversity of the region's fish and marine vegetation.
Today, it's a popular spot for snorkelers and recreational swimmers alike.

Swim courses

The Collaroy Beach Ocean Swim has two courses, an 800m event first thing in the morning, followed by a 1.5km event shortly after.
Both events take you out over Collaroy's beautiful reefs, swimming out straight into the ocean before following a martini glass shape around the buoys, before eventually returning to shore at almost the same spot as you started.
The beach itself is an open, exposed beach which can see a large swell come in, but it is protected from the south by the long reef headland.
The only limitations on this swim are age: competitors must be at least 10-years-old to take on the 800m event, or 14-years-old to take on the 1.5km event.

800m martini glass

The perfect swim for beginners, leaving the beach and following a martini glass course configuration before returning to the beach.

1.5km martini glass

A Martini glass course that takes you out over Collaroy's beautiful reefs, swimming out straight into the ocean before returning to shore at almost the same spot as you started.

While you're there

Collaroy is another one of the northern beaches that's rapidly growing in popularity.
There's cafes and shops galore, and if you're a coffee lover, make sure you check out Outpost Espresso on Pittwater Road, not a five minute drive from the beach.
And if you're a golf aficionado, Collaroy is also home to one of the most scenic golf courses in Australia: the Long Reef Golf Club.
Sneaking in nine holes after finishing the Collaroy Beach Ocean Swim would be near living the life.

Travel and parking

There's a carpark next to the Collaroy surf club, and a larger one north of The Collaroy. Other than that, head down the roads the run away from the beach for free on-street parking.

Results

2015 Results | 2016 Results ( 800m | 1.5km)