Last verified 10/26
Looking for the best family beaches on the NSW Central Coast?
After living here for over 20 years, we’ve tested them all. Below you’ll discover the most popular spots with local families, along with our personal favourites that we’ve returned to with the kids year after year.
We’ve focused on beaches with the best ‘parent-friendly’ facilities, like toilets, great coffee nearby, and fenced playgrounds, so you can actually relax while the kids play.
Which Central Coast Beach Is Best for Your Family?
1. Avoca Beach
Avoca Beach is perfect for kids of all ages. The cafes, beach and playground are all next to each other. It makes it easy to spend many hours at the beach comfortably with kids.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Rock pool
- Fully fenced playground
- Surfing & surfing lessons
- Cafés & restaurants
- Toilets near the playground
- Parking near the surf club; busy on summer weekends
2. Terrigal Beach
Terrigal Beach is the most popular beach on the Central Coast… There are many boutiques and great cafes and restaurants right beside the beach. The waves here are gentle, and it’s a good spot to learn to surf.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Small rock pool
- Surfing & surfing lessons
- Beachfront cafés & restaurants
- Pram-friendly beachfront esplanade
- Seasonal beach access matting
- Parking can be difficult on busy days
3. Macmasters Beach
Macmasters Beach sits at the foot of Bouddi National Park and has a relaxed feel. Kids can swim in the ocean pool or between the flags. It’s also a good beach for a picnic. The picnic and barbecue area has shade under the trees, and it’s right next to the ocean pool, beach and café. The small playground is a short walk away.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Ocean pool
- Surfing
- Café
- Playground & picnic facilities
- Toilets & barbecues
- Parking near the surf club
4. Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach has a rock pool, café and playground. There’s also a small skateboard park. I prefer the patrolled end of the beach. The rock pool, beachfront café and playground are all within easy reach, and there’s a good bakery across the road. The lagoon is a little further along. It’s a fun place to splash about and popular for paddling.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Rock pool & lagoon
- Small playground & skate park
- Surfing
- Cafés
- Parking near the surf club
- Parking can be limited on busy weekends
5. Pearl Beach
Pearl Beach is located in Broken Bay and is bordered by Brisbane Water National Park. The beach has a relaxing, holiday atmosphere. Families swim at the southern end of the beach where the water is calm and sheltered. There’s also an ocean pool.
- Unpatrolled beach
- Ocean pool at the southern end
- Small playground
- Café & restaurant
- Toilets nearby
- Dangerous surf at the northern end
6. Umina Beach
Umina Beach is a family beach on Broken Bay. It’s protected from the big swell, and there’s a large playground for different ages right beside it. Younger children can play in the shallow water at the southern end, called Kiddies Corner. Kids have plenty of space to run around, and everything else is close by: cafés, toilets and picnic facilities.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Surfing & surfing lessons
- Large playground & recreation precinct
- Café
- Toilets & picnic facilities
7. Ettalong Beach
Located on Brisbane Water, Ettalong Beach is best for small children… The water is calm and shallow and there’s a small playground, a picnic area, a cafe and toilets beside the beach.
- Unpatrolled beach
- Sheltered, shallow water
- Small playground
- Cafés & restaurants
- Toilets & picnic facilities
- Pram-friendly foreshore path
- Waterfront parking
8. Killcare Beach
At Killcare Beach, kids can swim between the flags or in the rock pool at the foot of Bouddi National Park. There’s plenty of space on the sand for them to run around. Older children who enjoy bigger waves will like it here, but the surf can be powerful.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Rock pool
- Surfing
- Beach kiosk
- Parking near the surf club
- Open surf beach with potentially strong waves
9. Putty Beach
Putty Beach is my paradise beach… clear, blue and calm water surrounded by the natural bush of Bouddi National Park. The beach is unpatrolled but the water is usually calm. Take your snorkels and inflatable boards.
- Unpatrolled beach
- Picnic tables & barbecues
- Toilets & campground
- National park entry fee applies
10. Toowoon Bay
Younger children have fun riding the small, steady waves at Toowoon Bay. The surf here is protected from the big swell. Take boogie boards, paddle boards and snorkels. I love exploring the rocky shoreline and rock pools here with the kids. There’s a grassy area for picnics and barbecues, with a playground and beach kiosk close by.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Sheltered bay
- Surfing lessons
- Playground
- Food kiosk
- Toilets & picnic facilities
11. The Entrance Beach
The Entrance is a perfect place to go if you’d like a bit more to do than just the beach… There are several family attractions in the town like Pelican Feeding. Kids can swim between the flags or in the 50-metre ocean pool and kid’s wading pool.
- Seasonal lifeguard patrols
- Ocean pools & children’s wading pool nearby
- Free entry to ocean baths
- Toilets, showers & changing facilities at the baths
- Cafés & family attractions nearby
12. Norah Head Rock Pool
Norah Head Rock Pool suits families with younger children. The large, sheltered pool has shallow, sandy areas for paddling, and the nearby beach is good for building sandcastles. Kids can explore the surrounding rocks and look for crabs and tiny fish. There are toilets beside the pool. Keep in mind that conditions change with the tide and swell.
- Natural rock pool
- Playground nearby
- Café nearby
- Toilets
- Limited parking on busy days
- Check tides and ocean conditions before entering
Find Out More About the Central Coast
Fun Things to Do with Kids
Find activities that are easy and fun for kids of all ages.
Things to Do on the Central Coast
Discover the best things to do on the Central Coast.
Rainy Day Activities
Discover fun indoor activities for all ages.
Best Playgrounds
Find great playgrounds for toddlers and climbers.
The Entrance with Kids
Find family fun around The Entrance.
Free Things to Do
Explore the best free attractions on the Central Coast.