Sand dunes still exist to the north of Marley, near other famous landmarks in the region such as Wedding Cake Rock and the Bundeena Lookout.

[1] On 16 May 1919, a steam powered collier, the S.S. Tuggerah, ran into a violent storm, and capsized around 2 kilometers off the coast near Marley Beach.

Six crew, including the ship's captain, died while eleven survivors rowed a lifeboat to Port Hacking.

Neither swimming nor surfing is advised, with hazards including topographical rips, bluebottle and shark sightings.

Behind the beach exists an extensive system of sand dunes, occupying over 130,000 square meters.