Planning to a trip to Manly Beach? Make sure you have the right gear to make the most of your trip. Our expert picks of the best surf and beach gear will help you hit the waves, relax in the sun and look good every moment of your vacation. From surf craft, beach towels, sun protection and tents, we've got you covered.
Beginner surfers who are just starting out should definitely be on a high volume soft board which are more stable and catches waves easier. They offer some protection in a collision. We also advise surfers to pick a board which they can handle in the waves. Too often we see people struggling on heavy foamie rentals which are too heavy. Modern softboards are good enough so you can not only use them for learning how to stand in whitewater but also catching waves out the back once you get better.
A good pair of sunglasses not only looks good but protects your eyes from the harsh glare of the unrelenting Aussie sun. You can't go pass Oakley shades for their image enhancing and light blocking tech with impressive marketing names like iridum and prizm. They have a flagship store in the Manly Corso where you will be sure to find a pair to suit.
All the cool kids (and families) are relaxing under Cool Cabanas for a reason. Their ingenious design makes the cabanas easy to set up and they provide enough shade for several people. They also pack up to the size of a large golf umbrella which is easy to carry.
We love the Laroche Posay Anthelios sunscreen lotion. It offers high UPF50+ protection and is almost invisible when rubbed in. Its non greasy which is important if you are going to be surfing since it's not slippery. Through some magical voodoo, you can also apply the lotion on wet skin.
Towels have come a long way and the ones from Sand Society are on a different level. They are made sustainably from recycled plastic bottles materials resulting in a towel which is odour free, quick drying and feels like the underside of a baby seal. The best thing about them is they are sand free - give them a shake and the sand just falls off. We also dig their understated classy colors.
While choice of swim wear is a personal thing, make sure to check out Manly Surf Lifesaving's store which has a pop shop every weekend. What better souvenir than a pair of blue swim shorts with the words "MANLY" boldly emblazoned across your cheeks.
Well known in the body surfing world, Da Fins are really versatile fins which you can use for body boarding, snorkelling or swim fins. The best thing about the 100% Malaysian rubber fins is their soft foot compartment which hugs your feet - the most comfortable we have tested.
Handplanes and hand boards help give you a little lift when body surfing. The Stealth Pluggas are made from soft foam material with an EPS core. Great fun for kids getting thumped in the shore break.
We are continually testing the latest surf and beach gear. Feel free to drop us a line if there is something we missed.