Check out the Ocean Festival community events happening on the Northern Beaches.

Upcoming events

Sat 30 Nov
1.30 PM - 3.30 PM
Rocks Fossils & Formations Walking Tour

Rocks, Fossils and Formations Walking Tour

Join Dr Peter Mitchell OAM on this fascinating geology walking tour around Long Reef Headland and discover how the rocks reveal stories about this area when it was part of Gondwana.
Reef Room, Fisherman’s Beach, Collaroy
Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sat 30 Nov
2.00 PM - 3.30 PM
Rock Platform Long Reef

Rock Platform Ramble at Long Reef

Once the ocean retreats at low tide, an amazing world is uncovered for us to enjoy.
Fisherman’s Beach, Long Reef – Reef Room Collaroy
Aquatic, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sat 30 Nov
2.00 PM - 4.00 PM
Ambles Photography gloomy octopus

Ambles & Apertures - Photography Workshop

Join Pete McGee, award winning underwater photographer to discover and photograph life at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.
Reef Room, Fisherman’s Beach, Collaroy
Aquatic, Workshops and Talks, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 1 Dec
9.00 AM - 4.00 PM
Kayak Eco Paddle

Kayak Eco Paddle

Come along, grab a kayak, paddle when the water is flat and the light is right to spot all the plastic in the water.
Manly Yacht Club 1 East Esplanade Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 1 Dec
9.00 AM - 11.00 AM
AUSMAP at Manly Cove

Cove Collective Cleanup

Join AUSMAP for a unique experience and sample your local beach for microplastics using THE AUSMAP microplastic citizen science method
West Esplanade, Manly Cove Near Manly Waterworks Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 1 Dec
3.00 PM - 4.30 PM
Rock Platform Fairlight

Rock Platform Ramble at Fairlight

Once the ocean retreats at low tide an amazing world is uncovered for us to enjoy.
Fairlight Beach – Look for Ocean Festival Flag - Just past beach towards Treharne’s Boatshed. Fairlight
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Mon 2 Dec
Sun 8 Dec
Photo Exhibit

Underwater Photography Exhibition 2024

View the winning images of the Underwater Photography Competition 2024 exhibition, including the ‘Valerie Taylor Underwater Photography Award for Excellence’. Immerse yourself in all things ocean by joining us through the week for ‘Coffee & Conversations’ at the Manly Library.
Manly Library, Level 2, 1 Market Lane, Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Mon 2 Dec
10.00 AM - 11.00 AM
Organised Chaos - Peter McGee

Coffee & Conversations – Underwater Photography

View the amazing winning images in our Underwater Photography Exhibition 2024 and join us for our Coffee and Conversation sessions.
Manly Library, Level 2, Market Lane Manly
Aquatic, Art and Culture, Workshops and Talks, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Tue 3 Dec
10.30 AM - 12.30 PM
Mini Kayak Tour

Clean Our Beaches - Kayak Tour

Give something back to the ocean whilst exploring the highlights of North Harbour by kayak on our Clean Our Beaches Kayak Tour.
Manly Kayak Centre, ,East Side Pier, East Esplanade Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Tue 3 Dec
6.00 PM - 9.00 PM
Jellyfish

Marine Talks at Manly Club

Join us to celebrate our love of the oceans.
Manly Club, On Gilbert Park, 2 West Esplanade Manly
MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Wed 4 Dec
9.00 AM - 1.00 PM
Giant Cuttlefish

Try Diving : PADI Discover Scuba

Experience the magic of the underwater world! Try Scuba Diving in Sydney’s only Marine Reserve.
10 Belgrave St, Manly
Aquatic, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Wed 4 Dec
10.00 AM - 11.00 AM
Penguins - Coffee & Conversations Manly

Coffee & Conversations – Manly’s Little Penguins

Come along to find out all about Manly’s Little Penguins and what you can do to help them. BYO Coffee, we’ll provide the morning tea.
Manly Library, Level 2, Market Lane, Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Fri 6 Dec
10.00 AM - 11.00 AM
Coffee & Conversations Magic Moments

Coffee & Conversations - Magic Moments with Marine Life

View the amazing winning images in our Underwater Photography Exhibition 2024 and join us for Coffee and Conversations.
Manly Library, Level 2, Market Lane, Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Fri 6 Dec
10.30 AM - 12.00 PM
Mini Kayak Tour

Mini Kayak Tour

Explore the highlights of North Harbour by kayak on our mini kayak tour.
Manly Kayak Centre, East Side Pier, East Esplanade, Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Fri 6 Dec
4.00 PM - 8.00 PM
Art for The Ocean

Art for the Ocean

An Art Exhibition donating 10% of all sales to ORRCA - Ocean inspired artwork - Painting, drawing and sculpture.
Sugar House Studio Unit 2, 73 Winbourne Street, Brookvale
Aquatic, Art and Culture, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability, Exhibitions
Fri 6 Dec
4.00 PM - 5.00 PM
'Dancing Sea Slug' - Jack Fegan

Snaps & Snacks (12 - 18yrs)

Join us for a special viewing of the Underwater Photography Exhibition 2024 including winner of the ‘Underwater Youth Photographer of the Year 2024’.
Manly Library, Level 2, Market Lane, Manly
Aquatic, Exhibitions, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability, Youth
Sat 7 Dec
8.00 AM - 11.00 AM
Shards_Rosie.Richards

Experience Freediving at Cabbage Tree Bay

Experience our beautiful Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve on a single breath by joining our introduction to freediving session.
Shelly Beach Manly
Aquatic, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Sat 7 Dec
9.00 AM - 10.00 AM
Stand Up Paddleboard

SUPBALL Taster Session

Ready for a splash of fun? Now’s your chance to experience the adrenaline-pumping game of SUPBALL!
Manly Kayak Centre, East Side Pier, East Esplanade, Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Sat 7 Dec
10.00 AM - 2.00 PM
Art for The Ocean

Art for the Ocean

An Art Exhibition donating 10% of all sales to ORRCA - Ocean inspired artwork - Painting, drawing and sculpture.
Sugar House Studio Unit 2, 73 Winbourne Street, Brookvale
Aquatic, Art and Culture, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability, Exhibitions
Sat 7 Dec
Sun 8 Dec
Glass works by the coast

Glass Casting Sea Creatures

This is a unique opportunity to study with the artist in her studio by the sea, in an ocean inspired weekend workshop taking students on an intensive journey into the creative possibilities of kiln cast glass. This is a 2 Day Course.
30 Greycliffe St Queenscliff
Aquatic, Open Studios, Workshops and Talks, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 8 Dec
10.00 AM - 2.00 PM
Art for The Ocean

Art for the Ocean

An Art Exhibition donating 10% of all sales to ORRCA - Ocean inspired artwork - Painting, drawing and sculpture.
Sugar House Studio Unit 2, 73 Winbourne Street, Brookvale
Aquatic, Art and Culture, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability, Exhibitions
Sun 8 Dec
10.00 AM - 3.00 PM
FoCTB

Meet the Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay Volunteers

Meet the popular Friends of Cabbage Tree Bay volunteers and find how you can join up and participate as a volunteer.
Shelly Beach, Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve (near the ramp) Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, MEC Events, Ocean Festival, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 8 Dec
11.00 AM - 4.00 PM
Q Station

Q Station Ocean Festival

Beach clean up, water activities, live music and food. So come along!
Q Station 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly
Aquatic, Children and Families, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Environment and Sustainability
Sun 8 Dec
12.00 PM - 3.00 PM
a labelled sketch of a beach shell

Introduction to Nature Journalling Workshop

Interested in learning more about nature journalling? In celebration of the Northern Beaches Ocean Festival, this workshop will teach you the practice of recording your personal observations and connect you with the natural world. Ages 18+
Manly Library in the Creative Library, 1 Market Place Manly
Art and Culture, Council Events, Ocean Festival, Education and Learning, Seniors, Youth