Washaway Beach is a secluded sandy beach on Sydney Harbour within the Sydney Harbour National Park. Access for paddlers is exclusively via a walking track, as there is no vehicle access or parking at the beach itself. The primary launch point is from the sand, reached by a 500-meter walk each way from the end of Barrabooka Street. The trail involves a descent with some rocky sections and a scramble or use of a ladder to reach the sand, making the carry of gear moderately challenging. The beach is significantly affected by tide, with the sandy area being much larger a couple of hours either side of low tide and shrinking at high tide. The beach offers a quiet, secluded atmosphere with a large sweep of sand and expansive harbour views, often remaining uncrowded.

As a harbour beach, it is generally protected from significant ocean swell, but paddlers should be mindful of wind exposure and potential boat traffic within the harbour. The beach serves as a practical turnaround point or lunch stop for paddlers on longer harbour journeys, such as those starting from Sydney North Harbour Reserve. Notable sights from the water include the nearby Grotto Point Lighthouse. There are no facilities like restrooms, freshwater, or shops at the beach, so all supplies must be carried in. The beach's location on the popular Spit to Manly walking track means there may be occasional foot traffic on the headlands, but the beach itself typically sees few visitors.