Is Manly good for solo travel?
Sydney's beach suburb, 30 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay, with surf, coastal walks and a young, outdoorsy crowd. Rents and drinks are pricey, and the Corso gets rowdy on weekend nights.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally safe for solo women, day and night. Watch drinks in bars late on weekends and avoid isolated stretches of beach after dark. |
How to meet people in Manly
Surf lessons, ocean swim and run clubs, backpacker hostels, beach volleyball and Manly Scenic Walkway groups make social meetups simple.
Good things to do alone
- Take the Manly Ferry at sunset
- Snorkel at Shelly Beach marine reserve
- Walk the Manly Scenic Walkway to the Spit
- Surf or learn to surf at Manly beach
- Visit North Head sanctuary at dawn
Where to stay in Manly
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Manly beach and the Corso | Beach, ferry, bars and hostels; lively and walkable |
| Fairlight | Quieter residential streets near the harbour and walkway |
| Freshwater and Queenscliff | Surf beaches, cafés and a calmer local feel |
Solo travel across Australia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Melbourne | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Byron Bay | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bondi Beach | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Brisbane | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Perth | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cairns | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Adelaide | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Hobart | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Noosa | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Blue Mountains | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sunshine Coast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Great Ocean Road | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| K'gari | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Port Douglas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fremantle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Newcastle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Launceston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Manly | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Magnetic Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Uluru | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Darwin | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Canberra | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Margaret River | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Broome | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Manly good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Sydney's beach suburb, 30 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay, with surf, coastal walks and a young, outdoorsy crowd.
How do you meet people in Manly?
Surf lessons, ocean swim and run clubs, backpacker hostels, beach volleyball and Manly Scenic Walkway groups make social meetups simple. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Manly?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Manly safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe for solo women, day and night. Watch drinks in bars late on weekends and avoid isolated stretches of beach after dark.
More about Manly
Going to Manly solo?
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Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.