Open air cinema, beach clean-ups, guided tours, walks and talks and even citizen science projects are all part of Northern Beaches Council inaugural Ocean Festival, which runs from 24 November to 1 December.

Mayor Michael Regan said it was the first year that the traditional Ocean Day event would be extended into a week-long festival which includes events not only in Manly but across the Northern Beaches Council area.

“The week culminates with the 26th Ocean Care Day at Manly Beach with more than 30 environmental organisations and community members present on the beach on the day with plenty of useful tips and information to help us keep our oceans healthy for future generations.

“Council is committed to working with the local community to protect our oceans and the rich biodiversity of the marine environment.

“We have a jam-packed program of events over the course of the week around enjoying our wonderful beach environment and learning how we can look after it, so come along to one of our many events.

“One of the stand out functions is the Open Air Cinema screening of 2040 on Saturday 30 November. Watch a fascinating account of what the future could look like by the year 2040 if we embrace the best solutions already available to us to improve the planet."

The Festival includes a variety of events, such as Science at the Steyne, Art Meets Science in Mona Vale, a Kayak Tour at East Esplanade in Manly and Dive Against Debris at Manly Cove, where people can dive, snorkel or freedive to help clean up the area.

The Northern Beaches has 80kms of iconic open coastline including 24 ocean beaches supporting five aquatic reserves, four intertidal protection areas as well as National and World Surfing Reserves.

“There is much to celebrate – our ocean and inland waters contribute so much to our lifestyle and the quality of life that we love on the Northern Beaches,” Mayor Regan said.

For the full week-long program, go to Council’s website

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678