How to enter

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Event Website

At a glance

Sun, 13 Apr 2025

Coogee Beach, Coogee NSW

Ocean Swim

800m, 1km & 2.4km

Triple Crown Ocean Swim Series

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Last held on Sun, 13 Apr 2025

Coogee Island Challenge (Autumn)

Coogee SLSC

How to enter

Online entries are closed

Event Website

At a glance

Sun, 13 Apr 2025

Coogee Beach, Coogee NSW

Ocean Swim

800m, 1km & 2.4km

Around A Feature
Around The Buoys

Why this event?

The second ‘cut of the cake’ for swimmers chasing the Coogee Triple Crown

The Coogee Island Challenge isn’t just another ocean swim; it’s a rite of passage. Circling the iconic Wedding Cake Island, this 2.4km course treats swimmers to a mix of stunning headland views, reef glimpses below, and the kind of rolling ocean conditions that make you feel truly alive.

Held at the tail-end of the swim season, the Autumn Edition is your chance to squeeze in one more salty adventure before winter rolls in. The vibe is friendly but full of energy, expect surf club buzz, cheers from the shoreline, and that post-swim glow that only comes from a swim with a bit of spice.

And with shorter distances on offer, including a Junior Dash and a 1km swim, this event is ideal for families, first-timers, and seasoned ocean warriors alike. Round up your swim mates, bring the kids, or fly solo and meet new friends on the sand. Coogee delivers the goods.

Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, this is a bucket list swim with Sydney soul. Crystal-clear water, iconic coastline, and that unbeatable feeling when you round the island and head back to the beach with the finish line in sight.

What's on offer

800m Ocean Swim

Junior Dash

10 - 12 years

The perfect intro to ocean swimming! This 800m rectangle course sits just off the sand, with plenty of friendly surf lifesavers keeping watch. It’s a safe and supportive way for junior swimmers to dip their toes into open water adventure and feel like champions as they hit the beach to cheers from the crowd.

1km Ocean Swim

Splash and Dash

13 years

Coogee Bay at its calmest. This in-bay loop is ideal for beginners looking to build confidence or seasoned swimmers chasing a pre-Island warm-up. With no waves to worry about and a crystal-clear course, it’s all about finding your rhythm and enjoying the moment.

2.4km Ocean Swim

Wedding Cake Island

13 years

This is the main event, a scenic loop around the legendary Wedding Cake Island. Starting at the north end of the beach, you’ll swim out past the headland, circle the island clockwise, and head back in to finish mid-beach to the sound of applause and cowbells. Expect a bit of everything, sweep, swell, and wave bounce, but also reef glimpses, rocky outcrops, and some of the most iconic ocean swimming views in Sydney. It’s spicy, spectacular, and seriously satisfying.

Plot your course

*The courses on this map are approximate; the final courses on the day may differ

What to expect in the water

Coogee Bay is mostly protected by the island itself, with smaller surf than other Eastern Suburbs beaches. That said, the loop around Wedding Cake Island can serve up chop, swell, and surge, making for a thrilling but safe swim.

Water temps in mid-April average 21–23°C, and visibility is often crystal clear.

Swimmer essentials

Wetsuits optional. All events are well-supported by IRBs, board paddlers, and surf lifesavers. Swimmers should be confident in open ocean conditions for the 2.4km course.

What’s on when

7:30 am: Registration opens
8:30 am: Junior Dash 800m swim starts
9:15 am: 1km Splash n Dash swim starts
10:15 am: 2.4km Coogee Island Challenge swim starts

Prepare for this event

Have A Go: 1km Training Program
Whether you’re coming back after a long break or you’re completely new to swimming, we’ll help you prepare for your 1km swim. Learn more

Up The Ante: 2km Training Program
Step up in distance with this training program designed to build you up & guide you all the way to the finish. Learn more

Learn online with the OceanFit Academy or join a hands-on ocean clinic to improve your surf and open water skills.

Photo highlights

Highlight reel

Getting there & around

Coogee Beach is a popular Sydney spot, especially on swim day, so it’s best to arrive early and soak up the buzz. Limited street parking is available near the beach, with some timed spots along Arden Street and surrounding residential streets. If you’re driving, be prepared to do a few laps or consider parking further afield and walking in.

Public transport is a great option. Coogee is well serviced by buses from Central Station, the CBD, and Bondi Junction. The 373, 374, 376 and 377 buses all stop within easy walking distance of the beach, just hop off on Arden Street and stroll down.

All swims start and finish on the main stretch of Coogee Beach, with Coogee SLSC as the event hub located at the southern end. Toilets, changerooms, cafés, and shade spots are all close by, so you can arrive, swim, and settle in stress-free.

Coogee Beach

Coogee NSW, Australia

While you're there

Coogee’s got that classic coastal charm, perfect for a salty Sunday well spent. After your swim, refuel with brunch at The Little Kitchen or Barzura, both local favourites with ocean views and hearty brekky options. If you’re after something lighter, grab a smoothie or coffee from Melonhead or The Lion and Buffalo and sprawl out on the grass overlooking the beach.

Feeling active? Take the coastal walk north to Gordon’s Bay or even further to Clovelly and Bronte. It’s one of Sydney’s most scenic stretches, and a great way to cool down while soaking in views of the Eastern Suburbs’ rugged coastline.

If you’re bringing the family, Coogee’s got playgrounds, calm spots for a paddle, and even a set of ocean baths tucked in at the southern end. Or just kick back, people-watch, and let the post-swim buzz settle in. Coogee does recovery right.