Shattered glass and mangled railings marked the aftermath as Bondi Icebergs was slammed by powerful waves more than five metres high.
Bondi Beach Smashed by King Tide: Homes Flooded, Coastline Damaged
Bondi Beach was pounded by massive waves more than five metres high on Tuesday night, causing major damage to the famous Bondi Icebergs pool and flooding homes further south.
The destruction unfolded after a powerful king tide and storm surge collided along Sydney’s coastline on 2 April. Strong winds and intense swells battered the area, with emergency crews responding to damaged properties and coastal structures from Bondi to Botany Bay.
A Night of Coastal Chaos
Around 11:30pm, massive 5.5-metre waves battered Bondi Icebergs, smashing glass fencing and tearing apart sections of the pool deck. Management reported parts of the floor being lifted and a large water tank swept away by the force of the ocean.
A lifeguard nearby at the time escaped injury, but the area was left in disarray. Staff described the impact as one of the worst in recent memory, saying they had never seen damage on this scale.
Damage Spreads Along the Coast
The storm’s impact stretched beyond Bondi, with late-night evacuations in Dolls Point and parts of Botany Bay as floodwaters entered nearly a dozen homes. Residents used sandbags to protect their properties, while emergency crews from Fire and Rescue NSW and the SES worked overnight to manage the situation.
Coastal footpaths and walkways were damaged, with heavy concrete slabs pushed out of place. Wylie’s Baths in Coogee, Bronte Beach, and areas of Cronulla also reported infrastructure damage, including torn fences and broken seating areas.
Warnings and Community Response
Authorities warned locals and beachgoers to avoid dangerous coastal areas in the days following the surge, with rough surf and unstable infrastructure posing ongoing risks. Despite the hazards, some surfers entered the water to ride the large waves before conditions deteriorated further.
Clean-up efforts are still underway, with local councils assessing damage and preparing repairs. Bondi Icebergs has temporarily closed its pool to conduct safety checks and begin restoration work.
Published 3-April-2025