The beach is only patrolled at the southern end in summer, the long stretch of beach to Barrenjoey is not patrolled and therefore usually uncrowded. Whale Beach has a character all its own, snuggled beneath hills and headlands and lined with palms. Whale is easily accessible with a car park virtually on the sand. The beach is patrolled during the summer months and has good wind protection. Fishing The Ovens , south from Whale Beach are one of the more popular fishing spots.
Little head has easy access via a short walk down the cliff or from North Whale Beach.
There are many good deep water spots which can provide a wide variety of fish including kingfish and snapper. The excellent protection at South Palm Beach makes this a good spot during big southerly swells Barrenjoey Headland can be fished on all sides and is best fished in calm seas. The ledges on the eastern side offers some of the best spinning for small surface fish in Sydney. The Pittwater side can produce snapper, bream, luderick and jewfish, while on the sea side bream, tailer, drummer and luderick can be caught. Palm Beach Wharf is a top spot for squid during the evening.