I have read info only on the western side for flat water sailing, I hope someone can give me some local knowlege being a very popular surfing spot is definately not ideal but i read down at bondi on bigger days people do sail there. So why not at manly?? can anyone share some light pls. Is it ok in NE winds? and where to launch?
thanks
When its windy enough ive seen people sail there. Manly is a much bigger beach than bondi so its not so badly crowded .When the conditions are right a bombora about .5km out starts working massive wave usually when the beach is a complete wash out & you can sneak there by launching from shelly beach
I live on the beach at Manly so know it quite well! I have sailed a heap of times in NE and S - major problem is the NE'r very rarely gets windy enough, and in a S it is one of the most protected spots - so it's busy. If it gets windy enough in a NE'r the waves pick up quick and they dump on the sand bars, just where there is a lack of wind a strong side sweep.
If you sail there, make sure you kit is strong, rig .5m more than you think and stay well away from the flags.
Good luck!
Lived in Manly for 8 years
Sailed the Queenscliff Bombie 3 times
1 of the best sails I've had on the eastcoast... and two of the worst !
As Ben said, rig big... and expect to break gear.
It is also possible to sail the queenscliff side of North Steyne (north of the surf club near the pipe)
Sailed that 12 or so times... but it has to be a cranking nor easter... and if it's that windy you're better off making the trek to Long Reef and getting out to Butterbox.
In a big southerly blow Makaha is the go. You can launch off the point in a channel but will need to carry your gear down the hill (through the golf course)
Bit of a hike but much easier than tacking up from the vacant lot... and a lot less further to walk if you break gear 
I live in Manly and have sailed in the harbour and beach a lot.
The above authors have covered most. Manly is not ideal in a NE as X-on but can
be good if strong and also the surf picks up quite quickly. You will see a few kites if (hopeless) 10-15 knots as there are backpackers year round & some of them kite. Best to head to Long Reef in NE.
Queenscliff (northern end of Manly) is X-shore in S. I have found you need 20 knots as although the southerly swell can miss Manly it will get big and dumpy if SE swell or solid S swell and you need to get through the break.
I've had many sails at the Q'cliff bombora which requires about 2-3 metres of swell to break. However, to get swell and enough wind might only happen 2-3 times a year.
Sometimes if the swell is big and I don't have the time, I go in the harbour and launch from the eastern end of harbour beach. Once you get out past the ferry terminal it's great and I've sailed in some gales with ferries cancelled and 35 knots.
