Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim

The Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim is a popular competition that starts at Bondi Beach, circles around Mackenzie’s Point, and ends at Bronte Beach.

The distance covered is between 2.1 and 2.4km (depending on conditions), and hundreds of competitors participate yearly.

Professional athletes, daily or occasional swimmers, teams, family, and friends – there’s something for everyone at the Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim.

Ocean swimming is an open-water swimming discipline practised worldwide. There are multiple types of ocean swim: Around the buoys like the Bondi Bay course or the 5KM, Point to Point like the Bondi to Bronte, around a feature, along the beach, Aquathlon, swimrun and finally dash for cash.

The Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim (B2B) was started in 2001 by the President of Bronte Surf Club, Graham Ford, to raise funds to send a team of young Bronte Surf Club Competitors to the World Life Saving Championships at Daytona, Florida, USA, in 2002.

The B2B has enjoyed ongoing success, establishing itself as one of the premier journey ocean swims on the calendar.

Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club’s major fundraising activity each year is the event, which is impossible to run without the significant contributions of sponsors and volunteers.

From humble beginnings, the B2B has become an iconic Sydney event, held on the first Sunday of December each year.

2km Bondi to Bronte

The Bondi to Bronte is one of Sydney’s and Australia’s most iconic ocean swims and a true bucket list achievement.

This iconic journey swim runs between the world’s first two Surf Life Saving clubs.

The course traditionally starts in front of Bondi Pavilion. It runs out from Bondi, around Mackenzie’s Point and down the coast into Bronte Beach, a distance of 2.0 – 2.4km (depending on conditions dictating the positioning of the buoys).

All the buoys on the course are fluoro pink, and we hang a large fluoro pink banner from the south headland of Bronte to give swimmers a long-distance guide or, in some cases, a big swell. The last buoy will be fluoro green, so all swimmers know once they pass that buoy to head for Bronte Beach.

The finish is traditionally positioned at the north end of Bronte Beach, but this is dependent on conditions on the day. Once you see the large finishing arch positioned on the beach, swim into the shore—but don’t forget to look behind you.

One of the unique aspects of this journey is starting and finishing at two different beaches. It gives all participants a sense of incredible personal achievement.

All swimmers must mark their names off the list at the registration tables, which will be located in Bondi Beach. Registrations open at 7:30am, and you can collect your wave’s coloured swim cap.

Don’t be late, as the B2B swim registration closes at 9:40am. Race briefing on the beach at 9:45am will be repeated before the start of each wave.

1km Bondi Bay

What’s not to love about a 1km swim? It’s the perfect first-time ocean swim challenge, an ideal stepping stone to the longer B2B event, and a great addition for seasoned swimmers wanting to push their limits and complete two distances.

The course starts and finishes in the same location on Bondi Beach, so all swimmers can have their family and friends to cheer them on and celebrate with them at the finish. Swimmers leave the beach just south of the lifeguard tower before looping around within Bondi Bay and back to the sand for a high five as they cross the finish line.

The course distance will be no greater than 1km; however, the final positioning of the buoys will depend on the conditions of the day. Swimmers are to keep the course markers (buoys) on their left throughout the swim, ensure they sight the buoys, and listen to directions from the water safety team.

All swimmers must mark their names off the list at the registration tables, which will be held at Bondi Beach. Registration opens at 6:45am so that you can collect your wave’s coloured swim cap.

Don’t be late; the 1KM swim registration closes at 8:20am.

5km

A 5km epic coastal swim commencing at Bondi Beach and finishing at Bondi Beach. With a capped number of only 150 swimmers, there is a very limited opportunity to participate in the 5km Bondi to Bronte to Bondi course.

An epic coastal swim commences through the breaking waves at Bondi Beach, initially heading north to a turning buoy at Ben Buckler headland. You will then turn south to swim down the coast to Bronte past the famed Bronte Reef before turning north to head back up the coast and return to the sand through the break at Bondi.

The overall course distance is approximate. Prevailing swell and weather conditions on the day will determine the final buoy placement and distance.

All swimmers must mark their names off the list at the registration tables, which will be located in Bondi Beach. Registrations open at 6:45 am, and you can collect your wave’s coloured swim cap.

No late entries will be allowed on the beach. Don’t be late, as the 5KM swim registration closes at 7:15am.

Junior Ocean Swim

The Mini and Maxi courses start and finish in the same location, so swimmers can have their family and friends nearby to cheer them on and celebrate with them at the finish.

The final positioning of the buoys will depend on the conditions of the day. The above map is indicative of the intended course layout. Swimmers are to attend the course briefing for final course details, ensure they sight the buoys and listen to directions from the water safety team. Our water safety team will be there to guide and encourage all swimmers to help give them the best swim experience possible!

What’s not to love about a junior ocean swim? It’s the perfect first-time ocean swim challenge and an ideal stepping stone to the longer B2B course for kids once they turn 13.

All swimmers must mark their names off the list at the registration tables, which will be upstairs at Bondi Beach. Registrations open at 6:45am so that you can collect your wave’s coloured swim cap.

Don’t be late; the Junior Ocean Swim registration closes at 7:30am, and the compulsory swimmer briefing is at 7:45am at Bondi.

Dash for Cash

Once you have achieved your goal of completing the B2B or the 5KM, why not test yourself against the best surf competitors in the ‘Dash for Cash’.

Open to anyone who has completed the Bondi to Bronte swim. You’ve got to be in it to win it!

The Dash for Cash will be held at Bronte Beach after completing the ‘Bondi to Bronte Ocean Swim’.

The ‘Dash for Cash’ is divided into male and female groups, who race each other over a 250-350m course through the surf around a buoy and back to the beach.

The winner takes all. This year’s combined cash prize is $1,000, plus $500 for the male and female winners. There are no minor prizes. It’s all action in the ‘Dash for Cash’.

Spectators

For the B2B spectators, the coastal walk provides spectators and supporters with a spectacular view of the course and all the swimmers from the cliff-top path. The walk forms an amphitheatre where spectators can follow all the action in the water.

When you are at Bronte, don’t hesitate to share a drink upstairs at the club’s bar after the event or have a nice BBQ at the park!

Food & Refreshments

After your great achievement of completing Sydney’s bucket list ocean swim, it’s time to relax and enjoy the camaraderie that Bronte Surf Club is famous for.

The Bronte Kiosk offers various food options, including wraps, burgers, fruit juices, smoothies and Acai bowls.

Bronte Surf Club is also putting on their famous sausage sizzle at the barbecue, a delicacy not to be missed.

Liquid refreshments are available in the clubhouse, so why not join your friends on the balcony and relive your achievement?

Getting There

There is plenty of metered parking at Bondi Beach and paid parking at Bronte Beach car park. Alternatively, you can catch public transport to Bronte Beach via the NEW 440 bus service to Central Railway Station via Bondi Junction Railway Station. Alternatively, catch a train to Bondi Junction Station at the end of the Eastern Suburbs railway line.

Car Parking
Bondi Beach provides metered parking on Park Drive and ticketed parking on Queen Elizabeth Drive.

Many competitors park at Bronte and walk the coastal walk from Bronte to Bondi. They leave their personal belongings in the security area, which are bagged and transported back to Bronte prior to the completion of the swim.

For Bronte Beach, we recommend public transport or carpooling with friends to reduce costs and traffic congestion.

Bronte Beach offers paid parking in the Bronte Beach Cutting car park and 2-hour timed parking on most streets around the beach.

Public Transport
There are various public transport options to Bronte Beach and Bondi Beach

Bronte Beach is linked by the 379 bus service from North Bondi via Bondi Junction Railway Station, with buses running on a Sunday every 20 minutes. Alternatively, there is a 381 bus from Bondi Junction to Tamarama; from there, it’s a short walk to Bronte Beach.