Fairy Bower, Manly

Fairy Bower Pool, Manly Beach

Visitor info

Highlight: A 20 metre triangular pool with the bronze Oceanides sculptures by Helen Leete beside it
Entry: Free
Open: Open at all times
Cleaning: Cleaned during the day rather than overnight, and not on the published roster. Check the council page.
Where: Marine Parade, Manly NSW 2095 (Cabbage Tree Bay, on the walk to Shelly Beach).
Council page →

History

In Manly’s Cabbage Tree Bay, the Fairy Bower Pool is one of Sydney’s smallest ocean pools, a tiny triangle that starts ankle deep before reaching 1.5 metres in the not-so-deep end. After being destroyed by a storm in 2016, the much-loved ceramic Oceanides, or Sea Nymphs, sculptures by Helen Leete were recreated in bronze and put back into place 15 months later after locals and art lovers raised $57,000 to see their return.

Water temperature by month

Much the same right along this stretch of the Sydney coast. Approximate — the water runs about a season behind the air.

Jan 22–23°C

Feb 23–24°C

Mar 23–24°C

Apr 22°C

May 20°C

Jun 19°C

Jul 18°C

Aug 18°C

Sep 18–19°C

Oct 19°C

Nov 20–21°C

Dec 21–22°C

Approximate. Sources disagree by a degree or two. The water lags the air by about a season, so autumn stays warm after the crowds leave and spring stays cold after summer seems to have started.