Manly

Manly has a more local feel than Bondi and the ferry ride over is pleasant. Good beaches with lifeguards, feels safe, and has a decent selection of cafes and restaurants without being as overrun with tourists.

Manly has a much more relaxed vibe than Bondi - it feels like an actual beach town rather than a tourist circus. The ferry ride over is half the fun, and the lifeguards are just as professional as Bondi's. The Corso (the pedestrian strip from ferry to beach) has good foot traffic and decent lighting, plus it's only about a 10-minute walk so you're never far from people. The local crowd is more families and fewer drunk backpackers, which makes the pubs and restaurants much more chill for solo dining. The main beach and promenade stay pretty safe in the evenings - there are usually dog walkers and evening joggers around. It's quieter than Bondi at night but that's actually nice - you can hear the waves instead of just party noise. The ferry runs until late and there's always security at both terminals, so getting back to the city is straightforward even at night.