Shelly Beach is home to the well known Sonny Evans Small Craft Harbour. Sonny Evans, in the early 1970's formed the ski boat club and along with other locals, cleared the area to the north of the tidal pool to make for a safe launching area. Today this harbour is the focal point from which many and varied ocean activities take place. Deep sea fishing, whale and dolphin viewing, sardine viewing (in season), pleasure trips and scuba diving to the world renowned Protea Banks, all emanate from this harbour.

Shelly Beach boasts of two large shopping complexes, namely the Shelly Centre and the South Coast Mall. The Shelly Centre has 114 shops of varied nature, cinema's, restaurants, etc. The South Coast Mall at the entrance to Shelly Beach has many large franchise stores and some great restaurants. Alongside Shelly Beach is the well known St Michael's beach, it is from this beach that many of the local and national surf competitions are held.