Fishermans Beach (NSW 311) is located between Collaroy point and the northern base of Long Reef Point. The 500 m long beach begins amongst the rocks on the south side of Collaroy rock pool, and curves round to face north against the rocks and wide rock platform of Long Reef. (Fig. 4.209). The beach has been used by fishermen since the 18th century when it was also used as a small port for loading cattle for the Sydney market. The fishers both store the boats at the eastern end of the beach and use the boat ramp to launch their small tinnies off the sand. Beachfront houses back the western side of the beach, with a road, boat ramp and car park running behind the southern side, together with Long Reef golf club and headland reserve. The Warringah Surf Rescue Radio room is located at the eastern end of the beach. It maintains year round communication with all surf clubs and emergency services. Fishermans is a quieter but not popular swimming spot owing to the often brown colour of the water; a result of clay eroded from the underlying clays and shales, in addition to the seaweed that often covers the beach, and the coming and going of fishing boats. Out on the tip of Long Reef Point is a ribbon of sand running at the foot of the cliffs, for the most part fronted by the wide rock platforms. In two places the platform retreats and the waves reach the sand producing steep, narrow reflective beaches. On the north side of the point there is a small 50 m long beach (NSW 312) sometimes called Little Makaha, while on the southern side there is a smaller gap (NSW 313), which lead to the reef break called Butterbox. These beaches are little used and while waves are usually low at the shore they are unsuitable for safe swimming. read more

Beach Length: 0.5km