Bronte

Bronte Bogey Hole

Visitor info

Highlight: Disappears at high tide and reappears as the water drops
Entry: Free
Open: Open at all times, but only swimmable around low tide.
Cleaning: Natural tidal bathing spot, not drained.
Where: Bronte Beach, Bronte NSW 2024 (rock shelf at the southern end)
Council page →

History

At high tide you wouldn’t know what lies beneath the surface, but as the water recedes a ring of rocks appears to reveal this natural bathing spot. The term ‘bogey’ is believed to come from an Aboriginal language word meaning to bathe or swim, which is what First Nations people did right here long before Europeans arrived. In 1907 the bogey hole was widened, but while some rocks may have moved over the years, the magic of the disappearing swimming spot remains the same.

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.